Rain Before or After TWP – Dry and Curing Time of TWP
Protecting your exterior wood surfaces with TWP (Total Wood Preservative) is a project that most homeowners can complete themselves. TWP will preserve the wood’s natural beauty and shield it from the harsh elements. The user-friendly formula is easy to apply and maintain but care should be taken when considering when to apply the stain. Weather can be a tricky and create problems. Most of all rain should be avoided at all costs.
A perfect forecast for staining would be 1-2 days with no chance of precipitation. Prior to staining, the wood should air dry for 24-48 hours after it has been cleaned. If it rains within that window soaking the wood again then wait an addition 1-2 days before staining. It is important the wood is dry before staining otherwise moisture could be trapped under the stain creating an environment for mold and mildew.
In most situations, TWP will take approximately 4-12 hours to dry but it will take longer to fully cure. Check the forecast and confirm that rain is not expected for at least a day or two. Once the conditions are right and the wood is completely dry you can begin staining. It should not rain within 12 hours of applying TWP stain to any exterior wood surface. A quick light rain will most likely not harm the stain if it has already been absorbed. A heavy rain however may leave separation circles on the surface and ruin the finish.
If an unexpected rain does ruin your TWP finish it may be necessary to sand or strip the stain off and recoat it. This would be unfortunate and obviously an extra expense so plan your staining project around any potential rainstorms for the best results. When applied properly under the right conditions, TWP will provide a long lasting beautiful finish that can be enjoyed and maintained for many years to come.
I brush applied TWP rustic stain to rough sawn Douglas Fir timbers for a Pavilion that my company is building for a customer. Stain was applied in the shop, in which the temperature is maintained at 60 degrees F. After allowing the timbers to sit for roughly two weeks laid out on the shop floor, we went to bundle the timbers for shipment, and the stain was still wet to the touch in some locations. I would like to know how long is needed to allow the stain to fully cure.
Curing varies based on application, amount of coats, temps, and UV exposure. If you put them outside, they will cure faster in the exposed areaz.
Rain is expected within 16 hours after I finish staining using the Semi-solid line. Other instructions on here say 12 hours is fine before rain. Does this also apply to the Semi-solid line even though the can says stain 48 hours before rain? It will be in low 50’s during day and 45 at night before rain next day.
Addl context. Wood is stripped and sanded and only putting down one coat.
Temps make a huge difference when it comes to drying and curing. You will need a day or two with those low temps to be safe before rain.
Hi, plan is to stain this Friday when temp is 65. No rain forecast but the temperature will drop to 45 Friday night and back up again to 51 Saturday. Then it’s not supposed to go higher than that anymore. Can I still stain?
Yes.
Are there temperature constraints to curing?
Needs to be 50-90 f.
I have cleaned my deck and it has had no rain for 2 days. Unfortunately, un-forecasted rain is expected for an hour or 2 today around 6 pm. After today, rain is forecast late on the 4th day. Want to get the stain on this week because temps drop next week and there is not a stretch of consecutive days without rain. (1) How can I tell if the wood is dry enough to stain? I can probably let the deck dry before staining about 12- 15 hours, if I start tomorrow. (2) What is the minimum time before rain after I stain? I have seen 12 hours depending on temperature. My nights are mid 40’s and days 60 to 70.
You need 48 hours after any rain or prep to fully dry before staining. No rain for 12-24 hours after is safe.
I just finished staining my pool deck. Can my family get on the deck tomorrow to get in and out of the pool? It will have been over 24 hours at 8 a.m tomorrow or should I wait longer? The deck is in direct sunlight
Hard to say but if fully dry, it should be okay. It will have an odor for a few days or a week.