Which TWP Stain Should I Use?
TWP stands for Total Wood Preservative. It has been around for over 20 years and has been a leader in the wood staining industry. TWP Exterior Wood Stain is an EPA registered wood preservative. Unlike other stains that cover up wood and form a protective film that is venerable to peeling and flaking, TWP stains are a penetrating oil formula that offers excellent protection. Knowing which TWP formula is best for your exterior wood project is the key to having excellent results.
TWP 100 Series – The 100 Series has been a leading and respected formula for over 25 years. It penetrates and enhances natural wood beauty and is available is 6 different colors. It is used for all types of exterior wood decking, siding, fencing, and hardwoods. It is not prone to mold or mildew. The 100 Series is not compliant in all states. Please be sure to check if it is compliant in your area.
TWP 200 Series – Available in 8 different colors, the 200 Series formula is best used on wood siding, shakes, and shingles. It uses a non-drying paraffin oil formula that enhances the wood cell’s structural stability making it an excellent choice for older wood that has lost its natural oils. It sheds and repels water and prolongs UV fading. The TWP 200 Series is compliant in all 50 states.
TWP 500 Series – The TWP 500 Series formula has been discontinued and replaced with a new and improved formula called TWP 1500.
TWP 1500 Series – The new 1500 series replaces the old 500 series. This newly formulated preservative penetrates better, dries faster, and outperforms it predecessor. TWP 1500 is a low VOC preservative with unique absorbing pigments that prevent wood graying, fading and premature discoloring. Selected mildewcides prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Available in 9 different colors, TWP 1500 Series Stain is best used on all types of wood fencing, decking, siding, log homes and roofing. It is compliant in all 50 states due to its low 250 VOC formula.
Choose the TWP Series Stain that best fits your needs and give your wood surfaces the protection and lasting beauty they deserve.
Need More Help? Please Ask Below!
I am in louisiana and have new cypress beams that i have just planed and sanded down from rough (not an attractive rough, hence the finish). It feels a bit waxy, so im assuming we have glaze to deal with. I understand that it needs a lot of time before the 100 formula (assuming that is best) will absorb well and i see the recommendation to let them weather for 4-12 months. However i also see that they won’t be completely dry for years. Would it be feasible to just apply a coat now for some level of color and then reapply in a year or 2? The raw wood doesn’t match the house.
Wait until Fall, and then prep and stain is the correct way.
Thank you.
I live in NE Pennsylvania and my pine deck is a year old . I’m ready to stain for the first time and wondering if I should use the 1500 series and would the semi solid work as well ? Thanks
Either the 1500 Series or the Semi-solid Low-VOC will work for PA.
In iowa and I have a cedar deck. I want to use a stain that will last longer. What do you suggest?
TWP 100 Series if you want semi-transparent but for better UV protection from fading, look at the TWP in semi-solid colors.
What is the difference between TWP 1500 and TWP 1501?
Color. The 1501 is the 1500 Series in Cedartone color.
On the coast in North Carolina and have a pressure treated pine deck,that about one year old. Which product would you recommend TWP 100 or 1500?
TWP 100 Series. Prep with Gemini Restore Kit.
I’m installing 2×12 wire brushed douglas fir or cedar siding on a cabin in an area with extreme weather conditions of cold and snow. Is the 100 the better choice and applying all sides before the install? Once installed, I was wondering if you can lightly coat semi solid on to give it a unique color?
You should not prestain and you should not stain all sides. Install, weather, prep, then stain the exposed wood only. See this for tips:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
As for which stain to use, that depends on where you live. You cannot add the semi-solid colors over the TWP semi-transparent colors.
This is a northern Idaho location project. Variable weather conditions, extreme cold and heavy snow fall. Was thinking of using the 100 due to higher VOC 550 content. Is the semi solid VOC a 550 level? Always thought the higher the VOC, the better the penetration and weather resistant.
Use the 100 Series for Idaho. The regular Semi-Solid is high VOC of 550 while the Semi-Solid Low VOC is 250. They penetrate teh same.
Label says do not store in excessive cold. What is safe for cold storage
Nothing below 50s.
I’m re-staining a cedar deck in northern Minnesota. Should I use 100 or 1500?
What did you use last time?
I live in Central Texas and I’m building a new 26’X18′ deck that will be facing full sun. What is the best lighter pigment application?
See this first about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the TWP 100 Series when time. Honeytone is the lightest color.
I have sealed my pine 6′ fence with TWP-100 (Dark Oak) twice over the last ten years and was planning to apply a third coat in December 2023. Unfortunately without my knowledge my neighbor to the rear sealed 100′ of my fence using a water-based solid seal made for fences and decks. He meant well and thought he was doing me a favor, but the damage is done. I am going to leave it this way for now, but want to know my options in the future as far as un-doing this damage. Luckily it is a run of fence that is mostly out of sight. I would like to know if I am able to strip this water-based seal off and restore back to bare wood – then applied coat-on-coat of TWP 100 (Dark Oak). If a stripper would work for this situation – which stripper would you recommend? I do know he only applied a single coat of the water-based seal.
Solid stains are very hard to remove and even harder when it is vertical wood. You could test spot with this: https://www.twpstain.com/rad-paint-solid-stain-strippers
I bet combining that product with a high-power pressure washer will get it off. I am hoping the adhesion is not that good for the water-based solid seal as they did not prep at all before applying over top of the old TWP-100.
The RAD ingredients make me weary – I am looking for something stronger (no odor= weak) product. I am going to look around for something stronger that gels – I don’t care if I have to wear a mask and it does not have to be environmentally friendly – the more odor the better (caustic=strong)
There is not a better solid stain remover on the market than the RAD Paint Stripper.
Thanks – I will give it a try
What if I stain / seal my deck with TWP 1500 and its 60 degrees during the day and then it drops to 45 degrees at night? Does it nooed to stay above 50 degrees for multiple days? Trying to see if I can seal before winter. Thanks
45 the first night after staining is okay.
Northern Minnesota, rough cut Cedar lap siding.
I have used Olympic brand oil based semi transparent twice with good results- 10yrs and 8yrs before redo. That stain is no longer made.
I have high confidence in oil based products.
Which of your products would you recommend?
The TWP 100 Series. Make sure to prep to remove the old stain first:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Which type should I use for a new fence? That’s mostly redwood but has some cedar and Douglas Fir. I’m not sure whether to do the 100 or the 1500. Or what the differences are. Also, where can I get this in Placer County California?
You need the TWP 1500 for CA:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
We sell online only for shipping.
They both last the same on a dock. For better UV protection, use our semi-solid colors:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series
I am considering using the 200 series for our cedar siding that is 30 years old and has always been treated with TWP 1/2 cedar tone 1/2 clear mix. We have stripped the old stain. But I am concerned about the non drying parrafin oil. When it says non drying, what does that mean? Does the stain stay tacky?
No, the surface fully cures. The paraffin soaks deep in the wood to help condition the wood cells internally.