What is the difference between TWP 1500 Clear and the 1530 Natural

The new TWP 1500 Series Stain is a low VOC compliant wood preservative with exceptional weather shielding properties. It is designed to absorb better, dry quicker, and outperform the older TWP 500 Series Stain.

TWP 1500 comes in 9 different semi-transparent colors and a clear. Understanding the differences in clear vs. natural colors will help you in making a decision when completing your next wood staining project.

The semi-transparent colors like Natural still allow the wood grain to show through but give it an enhanced look. It provides excellent water protection. The color pigments in the Natural stain provide UV protection to prevent graying and discoloring. TWP 1500 Series Natural will give your deck the closest look to a natural finish as possible while still providing sufficient weather protection.

The clear formula of TWP 1500 sheds water to prevent moisture damage but will not provide any UV protection. The clear lacks the color pigments found in the Natural color that offer UV shielding. Clear also does not change or enhance the wood grain’s appearance. Basically clear will not alter the appearance. It will provide water protection but not sun protection meaning the wood will eventually gray over time.

The TWP 1530 Natural is actually the second lightest color in the 1500 Series. It resembles the TWP 101 Cedartone Natural color.

With TWP 1500 Wood Preservative it is possible to add clear to the Natural or any of the other colors. This can be done to change or customize the colors to your liking. As long as there is some color pigment left in a customized color there will be some degree of UV protection. Generally, the darker the color the more sun protection it will provide.

Making sense of TWP 1500 Clear vs. Natural will hopefully help you meet your wood staining needs. Remember also that the colors are not guaranteed as they can vary depending on the wood’s age, type, porosity, and wood prep. Ask about color samples.

 

TWP 1500 Clear vs. Natural

 

The new TWP 1500 Series Stain is a low VOC compliant wood preservative with exceptional weather shielding properties. It is designed to absorb better, dry quicker, and outperform the older TWP 500 Series Stain.

 

TWP 1500 comes in 9 different semi-transparent colors and a clear. Understanding the differences in clear vs. natural colors will help you in making a decision when completing your next wood staining project.

 

The semi-transparent colors like Natural still allow the wood grain to show through but give it an enhanced look. It provides excellent water protection. The color pigments in the Natural stain provide UV protection to prevent graying and discoloring. TWP 1500 Series Natural will give your deck the closest look to a natural finish as possible while still providing sufficient weather protection.

 

The clear formula of TWP 1500 sheds water to prevent moisture damage but will not provide any UV protection. The clear lacks the color pigments found in the Natural color that offer UV shielding. Clear also does not change or enhance the wood grain’s appearance. Basically clear will not alter the appearance. It will provide water protection but not sun protection meaning the wood will eventually gray over time.

 

With TWP 1500 Wood Preservative it is possible to add clear to the Natural or any of the other colors. This can be done to change or customize the colors to your liking. As long as there is some color pigment left in a customized color there will be some degree of UV protection. Generally, the darker the color the more sun protection it will provide.

 

Making sense of TWP 1500 Clear vs. Natural will hopefully help you meet your wood staining needs. Remember also that the colors are not guaranteed as they can vary depending on the wood’s age, type, porosity, and wood prep. Ask about color samples.
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    Barbara Stephens · 09/22/2023
    what would you use on a cedar tongue and groove screened porch ceiling? We want to keep the wood as light as possible - without yellow or orange look. We are considering clear or natural. I see the post about the graying using clear but if it's not getting direct sun would this be a concern?
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    Rick Lawrence · 09/19/2023
    inside next to a window
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      TWP Stains · 09/19/2023
      Use the TWP 1500 in Clear.
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        Rick Lawrence · 09/19/2023
        Okay...since it is an inside project, should I do one or two coats?  Also, do I let the stain set for awhile before I wipe it off and if so how long?
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          TWP Stains · 09/19/2023
          1 coat. Just let it dry after applying.
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            Rick Lawrence · 09/19/2023
            I do not have to wipe it off?
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              TWP Stains · 09/19/2023
              Not typically with one coat. Make sure you remove any mill glaze before staining. Sand with 60-80 grit to do this.
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                Rick Lawrence · 09/19/2023
                Giddy-up!

                Already sanded with 60, then 80 and finished with 120!
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                  TWP Stains · 09/19/2023
                  No, 120 grit is too fine and will hinder the TWP's absorption. Need to sand it rougher.
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    Rick Lawrence · 09/19/2023
    I am building Cedar live edge selves for my church kitchen.  The pastor's wife would like them to be stained for protection but also would like to keep the natural look of the cedar.  Will one of your products do that without darkening the wood like epoxy or Urethane does?
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      TWP Stains · 09/19/2023
      Will it be used indoor or outside?
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    paul m. · 11/16/2022
    I am thinking of using the 1500 or 100 clear on Douglas fir thickened eaves. Any advice on Douglas fir in general and do you recommend 1500 or 100?
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      TWP Stains · 11/16/2022
      Either would be fine but the Clear does not have UV protection from graying. Must be tinted.
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    Lukas · 06/12/2022
    This is the fourth time I have stained my log home with TWP Rustic color. Eventually the stain fails on the east side of the home due to the intense sun in the morning. When the house is wet from rain over night and the sun comes up I feel like this is when the most damage is done. Do you recommend a second coat on this side or is there another product I can apply over the stain to act as another layer of protection?  Thanks!
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      TWP Stains · 06/12/2022
      You can clean and recoat with the same TWP color. You cannot apply anything else or a different product over the TWP stains. 
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    John J · 06/06/2022
    Can you add a second coat of 1500 TWP clear over a first coat of TWP 1500-1 (cedar tone)?
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      Bobbi · 08/29/2022
      And is clear technically not a stain - and more of an oil application?
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        TWP Stains · 08/29/2022
        Only use clear in wood that you want to seal but gray naturally. 
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      TWP Stains · 06/07/2022
      No, and when doing a second coat of the same color, it should be done wet on wet:
      https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
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        Bobbi · 08/29/2022
        Are you saying you cannot ever apply a later coat (eg 4 years later) to either clear or cedartone - 1500).  Meaning it has to be stripped or sanded to remove the prior coat.  
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          TWP Stains · 08/29/2022
          You cannot apply clear over a color. Use the same color when reapplying after cleaning and brightening. 
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            Bobbi · 08/29/2022
            Can I apply cedartone over old cedartone 3 years after initial app
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              TWP Stains · 08/29/2022
              Yes, after you clean and brighten for prep.
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        John J · 06/07/2022
        Could I mix the two? If so, would it still give me the UV protection? 
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          TWP Stains · 06/07/2022
          You can mix them but you still cannot add a second coat over a freshly applied coat. It would decrease your UV protection in half if you mix 50/50.
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    Vicki · 08/09/2019
    I am thinking of using 1500 Clear for the underside/ceiling of the gazebo roof. To what extent is it exposed to UV rays, and should I be applying the natural (which I have done for the rest of the gazebo) stain which gives UV protection? I do not want it to look weathered over time, but to keep its original brightness. Thanks!
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      TWP Stains · 08/09/2019
      Best to use the Honeytone as this is the lightest tint and has UV protection. Natural is darker and Clear has not color or UV protection.
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        Vicki · 08/09/2019
        Ok. Thanks.
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    Paul · 05/06/2019
    Installed mahogany deck 6 months ago, it appears grey/bluish....but when it rains all the vibrant colors and grains show beautifully. What can I use to show the latter....
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    Jenny S · 04/14/2019
    We have read several posts regarding the darkness of the dark oak and mixing it with "clear" to lighten it up- which we want to do- we would prefer a brown tone color on our cedar deck rather than the orangeish cedar colors-- we are in Colorado and it was recommended to us to use the 100 series, however there is not a clear in the 100 series- do we use the cedar tone to lighten it up?? I see there is a clear in the 1500 series but also read not to mix series. Please reply as to what to mix the brown oak in the 100 series with to lighten it up but keep the brown tone. Thank you
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      TWP Stains · 04/15/2019
      There is a Clear in the 100 Series. You can choose it in the color options.
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    TWP Stains · 06/20/2016
    Jan Cox:
    We purchased a clear stain to protect our deck after being power washed. How soon can this be walked on after applying?

    4-24 hours depending on your wood and the temperature.
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    Jan Cox · 06/20/2016
    We purchased a clear stain to protect our deck after being power washed. How soon can this be walked on after applying?
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    TWP Stains · 04/23/2016
    joe grgri ndin:
    Hello.

    I just received my order. A 5 gallon 1500 clear
    when opening it i noticed the tag saying no uv screenings. I would like to exchange this product for the natural 5 gallon can, if possible.

    Thank you.

    Joe grondin

    Unfortunately it cannot be returned or exchanged once opened. At this point it will be best to buy 2-3 gallon of a tinted color and mix that into the clear. That will give it UV protection.
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    joe grgri ndin · 04/23/2016
    Hello.

    I just received my order. A 5 gallon 1500 clear
    when opening it i noticed the tag saying no uv screenings. I would like to exchange this product for the natural 5 gallon can, if possible.

    Thank you.

    Joe grondin
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    TWP Stains · 08/03/2015
    Amy in WA:
    I live in WA, so I wanted to stay with the 100 series, but the Dark Oak is too dark. Can I mix 100 Series Dark Oak with 1500 Series Clear?

    Mix the 100 Series clear into the 103 Dark Oak. Needs to be the same series when mixing.
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    Amy in WA · 07/31/2015
    I live in WA, so I wanted to stay with the 100 series, but the Dark Oak is too dark. Can I mix 100 Series Dark Oak with 1500 Series Clear?
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    TWP Stains · 07/30/2015
    EBennett:
    I tested the TWP 1500 Clear on the front of one of my steps and it definitely changed the appearance of the wood; i.e., it gave it a rich, somewhat reddish tone that makes it look wet. The deck is 1-1/2 years old and cleaning it basically removed any of the graying. I actually like the aged, grayed,driftwood look for a wood deck. I selected the clear to preserve the gray that washed away during cleaning. What say you?

    Clear will not protect the wood from UV graying. It will oxidize naturally and turn gray. If you want it to gray, then the clear is the correct choice.
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    EBennett · 07/29/2015
    I tested the TWP 1500 Clear on the front of one of my steps and it definitely changed the appearance of the wood; i.e., it gave it a rich, somewhat reddish tone that makes it look wet. The deck is 1-1/2 years old and cleaning it basically removed any of the graying. I actually like the aged, grayed,driftwood look for a wood deck. I selected the clear to preserve the gray that washed away during cleaning. What say you?
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    TWP Stains · 07/15/2014
    Angela C from KC:
    I have a very large, multi level deck and have invested 2 very long days cleaning and powerwashing, in preparation for the 1500 TWP stain that I purchased. I'm concerned about a white fuzzy looking substance that is now showing up on all cedar posts and pressure treated flooring. It looks like very thin paper mâché when it's wet, and like tiny white fibers that are very soft when dry. My deck absorbs water very well, so I don't think it will effect absorption of the stain. Questions: #1) do you know what the white stuff is? #2) can I stain over it once my deck has dried out for a few days?. My dad power washed his deck a few weeks ago and it did the same thing. He used another product to finish his deck and it went on well, I just wonder about the longevity.

    1. Wood fibers that were not completely removed when prepping. 2. Yes you can stain over it.
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    Angela C from KC · 07/15/2014
    I have a very large, multi level deck and have invested 2 very long days cleaning and powerwashing, in preparation for the 1500 TWP stain that I purchased. I'm concerned about a white fuzzy looking substance that is now showing up on all cedar posts and pressure treated flooring. It looks like very thin paper mâché when it's wet, and like tiny white fibers that are very soft when dry. My deck absorbs water very well, so I don't think it will effect absorption of the stain. Questions: #1) do you know what the white stuff is? #2) can I stain over it once my deck has dried out for a few days?. My dad power washed his deck a few weeks ago and it did the same thing. He used another product to finish his deck and it went on well, I just wonder about the longevity.
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    TWP Stains · 07/04/2014
    Dom:
    I just stripped the stain off my deck using your deck stripper and brightener. I was going to use just a clear protector on the deck but then saw your article on clear vs natural. Is the natural a stain or does it have just enough pigmentation to protect it from the sun yet still give it a natural look? Also, although most of the stain came off after 3 applications, I was thinking of letting the sun "bleach" it before applying a protecting coat.

    Please read this about colors:
    http://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-1500-colors-explained/