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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    TWP Stains · 08/24/2017
    ed sultini:
    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

    Wait 2-3 days for furniture. Should be dry to the touch and not sticky.
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    ed sultini · 08/24/2017
    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
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 07/31/2017
    john A florio:
    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?

    Takes about a day to dry. Full cure another couple of days or so.
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    john A florio · 07/30/2017
    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?
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    TWP Stains · 06/17/2017
    Patrick Davis"][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/[/quote]

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

    Aesthetic at this point but if you did not follow the new wood weather and prep, it will fail by next Spring. You could just deal with it this year and fix next.
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    Patrick Davis · 06/17/2017
    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/


    Are the separation a problem from a punctuonality standpoint, or just aesthetics?
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    TWP Stains · 06/17/2017
    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.

    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/
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    PATRICK DAVIS · 06/16/2017
    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.
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    TWP Stains · 05/29/2017
    Becky F:
    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.

    All stain removers are caustic. Use the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper and pressure washing to remove. You must use the brightener after to neutralize. Dry for 48 hours after the prep.
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    Becky F · 05/29/2017
    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.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 05/28/2017
    Becky F:
    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.

    Hello,

    TWP is a penetrating stain. If it is scratching then it did not penetrate and this could be the result of incorrect prep and or over applying. Feel free to reply back to the email with some pictures.
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    Becky F · 05/27/2017
    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.
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    TWP Stains · 03/20/2017
    Dan Causie:
    how long do you wait before moving furniture on the deck. ( cure time?)

    This will vary based on the age of the wood, how many coats, and the temperature. It can vary between 12-36 hours.
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    Dan Causie · 03/19/2017
    how long do you wait before moving furniture on the deck. ( cure time?)
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    TWP Stains · 08/08/2016
    lynette hodges:
    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.

    You apply the second coat wet on wet. 20-60 minutes after the first coat. It should not rain on newly applied stain for 8 hours after applying. If it was affected, you will see small separation spots all over the wood.
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    lynette hodges · 08/07/2016
    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.
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    TWP Stains · 07/28/2016
    Keith Baker:
    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?

    If the mud stuck to the stain before it fully cured, then you cannot just remove the mud without removing the stain as well. Basically it stuck the to stain while the stain cured and hardened. You would have to strip all and start over.
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    Keith Baker · 07/28/2016
    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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    TWP Stains · 07/05/2016
    Amyjsloan:
    My stain has been on for 48 hours and it is still tacky to touch. What can I do?

    See this article:

    http://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/