TWP Stain Reviews, Articles, How-To Tips
Best Way to Apply TWP 100 and 1500 Series Wood Decking Stains
It is best to first measure the wood surface of your staining project. Do not forget to include steps, railings and spindles if you are staining a deck and double the footage of a fence if staining both sides. On average TWP covers approximately 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon. The newer the wood the less stain it will take. Older wood is more porous and will absorb more stain.
Prior to applying any TWP stain be sure the surface is free of dirt, grime, mildew or any old coatings. Use a wood cleaner when no old failed coatings are present. If an old coating is to be removed use a wood stain stripper instead. Allow the wood to dry for 48 hours after cleaning.
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.
Why Wait 4-12 Months for New Wood To Season Before Staining with TWP
It is no secret that new wood needs to be stained and protected from the elements in order to look good and last a long time. Whether it is a new deck, fence, siding, shakes, a gazebo or maybe a pergola it will need to “season” before it can be stained with TWP or any type of stain. Seasoning is the process of allowing new wood to dry. New wood is very high in moisture and can take anywhere from 4-12 months to dry out.
Why wait 4-12 months for new wood to season? If you do not wait and you decide to stain new wood too soon it can cause many problems down the road. Essentially what is happening when a stain is applied too soon is moisture is being locked in the wood. This trapped moisture can cause extensive mold and mildew problems for the life of the wood. This can quickly progress to wood rot and decay. In a worse case scenario, the wood can deteriorate quickly due to moisture being present and lose its structural integrity. Staining prior to proper seasoning can mean premature costly repairs and replacements.
Why You Need To Prep New Wood After Seasoning
Seasoning is the term used for allowing new wood to dry out prior to applying TWP stain. The dry time will vary depending on different factors. Your local climate and weather can play a role in the seasoning of new wood. The amount of sun exposure the wood receives each day is a huge factor. Whether it is a fence, roof shakes, or a deck the amount of sun exposure can vary the seasoning period. A deck in full sun for example will season faster than one in a mostly shaded area. On average, the seasoning period is around 4-12 months for new wood and 1 month for KDAT wood.
After seasoning, the new wood should be prepped prior to applying TWP stain. This confuses many people because the wood is new and does not seem like it needs to be cleaned or prepped. But nothing could be further from the truth. To understand why you need to prep new wood after seasoning you should consider the environment. Harsh sunrays will slowly begin to gray wood within a short time. Airborne dirt and pollution will land on the wood and begin to buildup. Human or pet foot traffic drag dirt onto wood surfaces.
TWP 100 Series and TWP 1500 Series are the Only EPA Registered Wood Preservatives on the market!
When it comes to quality deck stains, TWP sets the bar at a high level. For over 20 years TWP (total wood preservative) has formulated excellent wood stains that even industry leading staining contractors turn to. The company not only prides itself on the kind of top quality wood protection and beauty we all expect but also formulates their stains to be safe and environmentally friendly.
As the only EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) registered wood preservative, TWP is the leader in wood preserving stains. With the 100, 200 and 1500 Series wood preservatives to choose from in a variety of colors, TWP stains will enhance the natural beauty of many exterior wood surfaces and provide a lasting finish. Their low 250 VOC formula found in the 1500 Series Wood Preservative is compliant in all 50 states making it the top choice in the wood staining industry.
In terms of natural beauty, not many wood types compare to IPE. This beautiful exotic dense wood fairs well in a variety of climates but should still have a protective finish to resist weather damage. A weatherproof coating will warrant a long lasting finish while stopping the damaging effects of Mother Nature.
Weather protection can go a long way in preserving the beauty and longevity of log cabins. The key to a long-standing solid log cabin is shielding the exterior of the log cabin from brutal UV rays and moisture. In addition, the right log cabin stain will enhance the natural beauty of the logs to give your cabin that sought after rustic appeal.
The best TWP Stain for log cabins is the newly formulated TWP 1500 Series. This particular stain product is intended to perform better than the original formula known as Series 500. The outperforming version 1500 Series Stain uses a low VOC blend that is compliant in all 50 states and is registered as an EPA wood preservative.
Wood shakes and shingles are commonly found on older architectural type homes but are still a popular choice on newer homes as well. Shake siding and wood shingles can give a home a charming look that can last for many years. Although these wood surfaces can be very appealing, they are prone to water and sun damage when they are left unprotected. Protecting these surfaces with a quality wood stain can prolong the life of the wood and enhance its natural beauty. This not only increases your home’s curb appeal, but protects against wood rot and decay caused by years of weather exposure.
Best TWP Stain for Vertical SidingVertical wood siding can give your home a very appealing look as long as it is taken care of. Like all exterior wood, vertical siding needs to be maintained. Protecting vertical siding from the harmful effects of weather exposure can increase its longevity while helping to enhance the natural beauty of the wood. Protecting vertical siding with a quality professional grade wood preservative like TWP is the optimal choice. But which TWP stain is best for vertical siding?