Rain Before or After TWP – Dry and Curing Time of TWP

by TWP Stains

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.

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Eric Opsvig
Eric Opsvig
5 years ago

How long should I wait before putting the furniture and barbecue back on my newly stained deck with TWP 101?

Alex Northington
Alex Northington
5 years ago

used the dark oak stain on the deck. less than two months later I am seeing some Mold on top. followed instructions on the can. used a stain remover to remove the old stain. used a wood brightener. even sanded after the two. Deck gets full sun during the day until about 5.

James E Kulwicki
James E Kulwicki
5 years ago

The deck is only 2 years old, built with all new pressure treated wood. The pic I sent you appears as though the wood is old but it’s not.

compare TWP stains
5 years ago

BTW, my deck is 500 sq ft

compare TWP stains
5 years ago

Had a hard pop-up rain approx 3 hours after second coat of TWP 1520 Pecan was applied. All splotchy now. I am handicapped so sanding the floors boards is impossible (for me). I’ve noticed “stripping the stain” as an alternative method. Please advise on WHAT PRODUCT to buy and HOW to use it before restraining. If sanding is my only option, I will need to hire it done. If so, please advise the most efficient process to do so. Thanks! jimkulwicki@comcast.net

James E Kulwicki
James E Kulwicki
5 years ago
Reply to 

This is the “after” pic. I’m positive the splotchy look is from rain hitting it after 2-3 hours after the 2nd (wet on wet) coat. I’m anxious for your response on what to do. Thanks!

James E Kulwicki
James E Kulwicki
5 years ago
Reply to 

I’m afraid you’re right…it ain’t gonna be pretty without stripping the stain and starting over. Bummer! Thanks for your prompt advice!

B Willis
B Willis
5 years ago

Today is day 5 after the second coat of stain applied to my porch/deck. Still feels tacky to me??? We have had days of rain and high humidity like everyone else. do you think the stain will ever dry. Still waiting to put rug and furniture out there???

Lauren
Lauren
5 years ago
Reply to 

What if it was applied wet on dry?

James Martin
James Martin
5 years ago

My deck is treated pine, several years old. Last Fall it was professionally stripped and stained with TWP 1500 Black Walnut with great result. This spring I pressure washed (without Gemini kit) and applied a second coat of the same stain, again with good result. The deck dried for several weeks. Then I placed 2 storage bins on the deck, which remained in place for 4 weeks. When they were next moved, this is the result, when rained on. What would cause these “lighter” spots? Will I need to touch up these areas with an additional stain coat?

James Martin
James Martin
5 years ago
Reply to 

It does appear less noticeable when dry, though still faintly visible. What might that signify? Should I expect it to improve over time or should an additional coat of stain be applied to those areas?

L B
L B
5 years ago

I washed yesterday and it rained all day today (Monday). Can I stain Wednesday evening if it will rain again on Thursday night? Highs in 50s lows in 40s. Also, if II stain on Wednesday, can we walk on it by the following Sunday?
Bah for my rainy rainy climate!

B Radford
B Radford
5 years ago

I stained my deck about 3weeks ago with twp, it had a few white spots that showed up not long after but they’ve still not gone away and are actually bigger. I clean them off but when it rains they come right back. I’ve never had this problem before. Suggestions? Causes?

J Thetford
J Thetford
5 years ago

I stained my new cedar fence about 11 days ago with twp 101 and had about 3 days of low 50’s and sun afterwards. I can still smell it outside and am wondering if its ok to be outside around it or do i have to wait until i cant smell it anymore? When will this smell go away in these low 50 temps.

compare TWP stains
5 years ago

Want to pass along a strange success story. I pressure washed redwood railings on our north facing deck in mid-summer, but did not get around to applying TWP 1500 natural until just this week. Not optimal temperatures (highs only upper 50’s, lows in the upper 30’s), but no rain forecast. So did some light sanding, used a compressor to blow clean, and applied 2 coats – wet on wet, and after a few hours, wiped off excess. It is looking very good and feeling good (i.e., not tacky) two days later. The forecast is for a few more days of this cool, but dry weather. I think I may have gotten the work done just in time for winter! This is at 7500′ elevation in Colorado.

compare TWP stains
5 years ago
Reply to 

Fall TWP stain work in Colorado.

Burke Wasserman
Burke Wasserman
5 years ago

The deck had TWP1500 dark walnut applied about 3 years ago. Owner wanted to re-stain to get house ready for sale. I power washed the deck only. Some of the old stain did come off. Deck does get direct sun in the afternoon to dry. 2 days later applied a coat of the 1500 with a roller. After a couple of days, owner wanted another coat to blend in areas where the color shade was different due to the uneven removal of the old stain. In both cases of areas of knots and cracks in the board, it looked like sap was bubbling up. About a month later, gray circles started to appear. Another month, the whole deck has turned gray. How do I fix this besides a complete sand strip. More importantly, what went wrong. Burke

Burke Wasserman
Burke Wasserman
5 years ago
Reply to 

Pics. They show the change over time. The areas of gray are on the horizontal boards. I haven’t visited the job for over a month and don’t know if the verticals are also graying out.

Regan
Regan
5 years ago
Reply to 

Hello – I had a similar issue, what solution do you suggest to remedy
this. I believe this was wet on dry, 12 hours out of a rainstorm

Regan
Regan
5 years ago
Reply to 

1) Does leeching mean the boards were not weathered long enough ?

2) Will the shine fade or do I need to sand and re-apply 2 coats wet on wet for the desired look ?

3) Will the stain always appear shiny if applied wet on dry ? Or simply becasue too much was applied ?

4) I have another deck that never received a second coat, it has been in the elements for a year, does it need to be fully sanded to bare wood or just scuffed up to apply the new application ?

Mike
Mike
5 years ago

I built a pergola with rough redwood and stained it about 2 months ago. It dried nicely and looks great. BUT, we got our first rain shower since we stained/built the pergola and to my surprise, my entire concrete patio where the pergola was built over is cover with oil stains. I don’t understand what happened and why it did but it appears as if the rain stripped some of the stain off the wood…any idea what happened? Should we expect this to happened every time it rains or is this just a one off incident?? The stains appear to be coming from all pieces rafter/beams fron the pergola.

LakeStatePaintingMN
LakeStatePaintingMN
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

You can go to your local paint store and purchase a quality graffiti remover and use that to remove the excess stain residue that never penetrated and never cured and washed off when it rained.

***Follow the directions on the can***

***A quality high pressure powerwasher is helpful***

I’m a professional stain contractor who deals with this stuff all the time, it just happened to me on a new large pergola that was standing over a large new slab of concrete last month :) fun fun

Michelle Ceccarini
Michelle Ceccarini
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

I am having the same issue with my Pergolla. The stain is running down my cast stone columns. I stained the redwood about 2 months ago. Would anyone know how to clean that stain off of my columns. I’m sure I applied the stain heavy.

sarah.amann@att.net
sarah.amann@att.net
6 years ago

How long does it take TWP to cure before we can pressure wash the siding with detergent/chemical?

Jeri
Jeri
6 years ago

Should 2 coats be applied to a newly sanded deck? Paint store said second coat must be applied while first coat is still wet.true??

compare TWP stains
6 years ago

Hello, I can not catch a break with our Chicago weather, as usual, for the last month and a half. Rain and/or high heat and humidity has been our weather literally almost every day. I need to start staining my fence because the prepped wood is starting to dark. What is the least amount of time needed to be absolutely safe before it rains? I keep seeing different times between 4 and 48 hours. Right now, Im struggling just trying to get 24 hours of no rain after applying and the weather forecast is showing rain every day for the next week. I am using 1500 California Redwood. Id like to finish my fence project soon! Thanks! Bob.

Brooke
Brooke
6 years ago

Do you need to seal this with a clear coat?

compare TWP stains
6 years ago

I used Benjamin Moore stripper and B-M Restore brightener.

Jay
Jay
6 years ago

Bought some PT 6″ x 6″ x 12′ posts to border a gravel driveway and they are “Home Depot Wet”, I really do not want to handle them twice (200′ anchored with rebar) and cant really justify waiting a year to place them. Not super concerned with the quality of the appearance but don’t want to “trap” any moisture causing rot from the inside out. My experience with PT wood, even ground contact grade, has not been favorable so i want to help it last a little longer with TWP. Thoughts?

Virginia
Virginia
6 years ago

How long after you apply the product before you can put furniture etc back on the deck?

Jeff
Jeff
6 years ago

I finally have a chance (time) to apply TWP to my fence. There is rain in the forecast for tomorrow (and for the next 7 days). So if I apply today, I will have a minimum of 15-18 hours of guaranteed no rain.. Your thoughts.

Dave
Dave
6 years ago

We stripped and used a brightener prior to staining, waited 2 days for the deck to completely dry. I stained the deck last year with TWP and it dried in under 12 hours. This year 24 hours later the deck is still not dry. I bought the stain last year, does it go bad? Any solutions

compare TWP stains
6 years ago

We stripped and stained our deck 2 years ago. This year we power washed, waited a couple of days and applied another coat. The stain didn’t dry completely after a day and a half of sunny 80 degree weather. Any ideas?

Angela
Angela
6 years ago

We applied a maintenance coat this year to our deck. About 10 hours after we apply the steam it rain a lot. We now have areas where the steam has left circles and splotch marks on the deck surface. What do you recommend we do? If you’re going to recommend sanding, could we use a big sander or do we have to use a small handheld sander?

Angie
Angie
6 years ago
Reply to 

Ok thank you. Am I applying wet on wet two coats now since we will be stripping it?

Lois Engbretson
Lois Engbretson
6 years ago

My deck is 4 years old. My dogs have scratched the heck out of it. I used TWP and put another light coat on each year. However it needs to be completely redone due to the wear and tear by the dogs. Should I use a stripper or do I have to send it.

Robert goldsborough
Robert goldsborough
6 years ago

I have some small areas on my deck where the stain is still sticky after 48 hrs. The deck was completely dry after pressure washing 48 hrs before application. I tried to remove any excess stain from the deck when applied. Will these spots eventually dry?

Ralph Murphy
Ralph Murphy
6 years ago

I keep trying DEW but dumb phone does few. Sorry

Ralph Murphy
Ralph Murphy
6 years ago

That posting didn’t turn out so good. I applied twp after power washing and drying 2-3 days. No rain forecast but there a few every morning. Sunny spots are dry but shaded spots are tacky after 30 hrs. Gonna be ok?

Pat3
Pat3
7 years ago

My new never stained cedar deck had been drying for 48 hours after I cleaned & brightened it. We got a quick light drizzle last night. The deck seems fairly dry this morning, no water sitting on it. Should I still wait another 24 hours before applying stain? Thanks

John Solomon
John Solomon
7 years ago

I have a 1 year old cedar deck. Builder was very explicit in telling me not to stain until one year had passed. Hired a professional crew. Well worth the $. They cam in and did a chemical wash/prep. This is a 2nd story, covwered deck, with three 2 story support beams. Cedar rail with iron spindles. They let chem wash dry 24 hours. Now applying stain to everything-even the underside. Natural Cedar. I am going to wait 60 hours before putting furniture, grill and rugs & planters back on the surface. Lucky to have a 4 day window with no rain forecast. Looks like a great product, used properly by professionals.

ed sultini
ed sultini
7 years ago

After the TWP 100 is applied how long before the deck can be used with chairs and tables? Just verifying timing so we do not have any issues with the surface quality. I know weather conditions may effect the drying time but if we have the best weather conditions how long would it be?
Thanks Ed

john A florio
john A florio
7 years ago

stained with TWP. Went on very well and I believed very thin. After 4 hours some surfaces still tacky, shiney, and not dry. Instructions said wipe off excess with dry cloth. Had to wipe down the entire deck, buff the deck with cloth and wipe away as much as we could. How long will it take for the TWP to fully cure/dry?

Patrick Davis
Patrick Davis
7 years ago

[quote name=”TheSealerStore”][quote name=”PATRICK DAVIS”]I just built a brand new pressure treated wood deck, and had it stained. We got an afternoon shower just a couple hours after the finished, and more rain the next day. The stain has now been curing for about 48 hours, color 115 honeytone of TWP100, and it has large spots that almost look like coffee stains. Are these separation circles? Or will this go away. I am guessing that these have formed where the water pooled up after the rain.[/quote]
Yes, they are separation circles from the rain. To fix you will need to strip and start over. Also we would like to point out that you cannot stain new wood right away. Wait 4-12 months after install and the wood has to be prepped before staining. See this for more info:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/%5B/quote%5D

Are the separation a problem from a punctuonality standpoint, or just aesthetics?

PATRICK DAVIS
PATRICK DAVIS
7 years ago

I just built a brand new pressure treated wood deck, and had it stained. We got an afternoon shower just a couple hours after the finished, and more rain the next day. The stain has now been curing for about 48 hours, color 115 honeytone of TWP100, and it has large spots that almost look like coffee stains. Are these separation circles? Or will this go away. I am guessing that these have formed where the water pooled up after the rain.

Becky F
Becky F
7 years ago

Can you recommend a stain remover that is not caustic and should I put a brighter on before staining again. I heard a brighter opens up the pours of the wood before staining. Also, how long should I let the wood dry before restating.

Becky F
Becky F
7 years ago

We stained our deck two weeks ago and we still can’t put our chairs on as the stain gets scratched. How long will we need to wait until the stain is completely cured. Concerned.

Dan Causie
Dan Causie
7 years ago

how long do you wait before moving furniture on the deck. ( cure time?)

lynette hodges
lynette hodges
8 years ago

How long do you wait to apply a second coat of twp stain 100. Also how long does it take to dry as far as rain is concern. Ours was stained then it rained about 2 hours later all night. Is their a problem that the stain wont hold up.

Keith Baker
Keith Baker
8 years ago

I recently stained a Cedar deck and about 3 weeks after it was done the dog walked on it with muddy paws. I have tried cleaning it with dish soap & water by mop & it doesn’t clean it. What do you recommend?

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