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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    Andy Smith · 06/06/2020
    Here are some pictures after deck dried.
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      TWP Stains · 06/06/2020
      Use the Gemini Kit for prep and apply one light coat.
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    Andy Smith · 06/06/2020
    Applied two coats of TWP 1500. Finished around 6 pm. At midnight there was a large thunderstorm with heavy rain. The next day the deck was covered with water so the stain repelled it, but in many spots the rain washed off the stain so the finish now looks terrible. What do I need to do? strip the whole thing and start over or is a lesser solution possible to restore the finish?
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      TWP Stains · 06/06/2020
      Wait for the rainwater to dry off and then send a picture.
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    Richard · 06/05/2020
    How long should I wait to apply TWP stain to premium pressure treat ed lumber from Lowe's.
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    Joe · 05/16/2020
    Oops got another question.

    Power washed 1 year old fence. Looked great until it dried. Sap bleeding in spots? Should I remove dried sap/? or apply stain (clear) directly over? If I need to remove, how should I do it?
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    Joe · 05/16/2020
    Washed and Did light power wash of my deck yesterday. There is one layer of stain (cabbot semi -solid oil) on deck from last year's application. It rained lightly last night. Gonna get a sunny day today and (75 degrees )tomorrow with rain on Monday. I'd like to put a coat on today at about 3 PM if possible. I'm assuming that because I'm not applying the stain to a fresh wooden surface that I can proceed after -6-7 hours of warm sunlight exposure. Am I wrong?
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      TWP Stains · 05/16/2020
      You cannot apply TWP over the Cabot. That has to be removed fully first by stripping and sanding. Brightener last.
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        Joe · 05/16/2020
        Last year I only applied single light coat after sanding. The power washing took the shine out of the finish. I just want to add a second coat. I have to sand again and apply?
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          TWP Stains · 05/16/2020
          Pressure wash and then apply a light coat. BTW, TWP is not supposed to be shiny.
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    Lisa · 05/15/2020
    I stained the part of the deck that is in the sun in the photo two days ago. Yesterday I stained the other side and overnight we had a light rain. The last photo is a pic of the rain on the wood. Will it just dry or should I wipe it off?
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    Tom · 04/21/2020
    Stripped, light sanded, cleanded and brightened my deck this weekend. Was planning on staining with TWP tomorrow (48-60 hrs after no sig precip). Getting a light dusting of snow today. Temps in the high 50s low 60s tomorrow. Think it'll be ok to apply TWP?
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      JT · 04/21/2020
      Agree. Your best bet is at least 24 hours... maybe 36 hours without precipitation and over 50º (which sounds like you have).
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      TWP Stains · 04/21/2020
      No, wait another day.
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        Tom · 04/21/2020
        Ok. Thanks. Might have to push to next week. Slight chance of rain otherwise.
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    jim S · 10/24/2019
    What will happen to my deck that I stained yesterday and last night an unexpected shift in temp dropped temps down to 36 F
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      TWP Stains · 10/24/2019
      You will be fine just will take longer to cure and dry.
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    S.g. · 10/10/2019
    Our deck is in a treed shady area for the most part. Overnight temperatures for the next week or so are expected to be in the low 40's, daytime temperatures in the 60's. I am wondering if I should proceed with washing/cleaning and staining with TWP 1500 or wait until spring? I thought it might be OK as long as we don't hit freezing, but a representative at Gemini said he recommends overnight temperatures do not fall below 65 or it might take a 'long time' for the stain to properly cure.
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      TWP Stains · 10/10/2019
      Temps are okay for now or you can wait until Spring. It should not drop below 40 at night.
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        S.g. · 10/10/2019
        Thanks, any idea how long after staining temps need to remain above 40 without rain to allow for proper curing given that it is in the shade?
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    Eric Opsvig · 09/08/2019
    How long should I wait before putting the furniture and barbecue back on my newly stained deck with TWP 101?
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    Alex Northington · 08/28/2019
    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.
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      TWP Stains · 08/28/2019
      TWP has a mildewcide to prevent mildew from growing in the stain but no deck stain can prevent mildew from growing on top of the dried stain. This is not a stain issue but more an issue with your environment.
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    James E Kulwicki · 08/10/2019
    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.
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    James E Kulwicki · 08/09/2019
    BTW, my deck is 500 sq ft
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    James E Kulwicki · 08/09/2019
    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
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      TWP Stains · 08/09/2019
      Are you sure it was even harmed by the rain? Post a picture or two after the rainwater fully dries.
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    B Willis · 06/17/2019
    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???
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      TWP Stains · 06/17/2019
      Yes, it will dry. Was the second coat applied wet on wet?
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        Lauren · 07/02/2019
        What if it was applied wet on dry?
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          TWP Stains · 07/02/2019
          Then it could be sticky and tacky as the first coat would have started to cure already. it will dry, just takes time.
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    James Martin · 06/16/2019
    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?
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      TWP Stains · 06/16/2019
      Looks like the stain continued to cure after the boxes were set there. Does it look better when the rain dries off the wood?
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        James Martin · 06/19/2019
        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?
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          TWP Stains · 06/19/2019
          Yes, it should even out over time. Spot applying and it will stand out even more.
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    L B · 04/15/2019
    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!
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      TWP Stains · 04/16/2019
      Hard to say. The wood has to be fully dry when you stain and it should not rain on the deck for 24 hours after. Your low temps do not help the drying the wood and stain. It will take longer.
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    B Radford · 11/01/2018
    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?
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      TWP Stains · 11/01/2018
      That is mineral deposits from the rainwater that is left on top of the stain after drying. It will wipe off with a wet rag. It will slowly stop doing this soon.
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    J Thetford · 10/28/2018
    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.
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      TWP Stains · 10/29/2018
      In these temps, it will take longer to cure but the smell will go away. It is not permanent. It will not harm you in the meantime.
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    Peat · 10/24/2018
    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.
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      TWP Stains · 10/24/2018
      Great! Post a picture!
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        Peat · 10/24/2018
        Fall TWP stain work in Colorado.