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.

Despite all the natural and manmade contaminants that dirty a wood surface from the very first day it is exposed, it also has contaminants from the sawmill. Even before you purchase the wood it will have mill glaze on it. Mill glaze is formed by heat caused by the friction of the saw blade at the mill. This glaze needs to be removed prior to staining or it can jeopardize the performance of the stain.

Prep new wood after seasoning with Gemini Restore Kit. This will clean the wood surface and free it of dirt, grime and any mill glaze. Then allow the wood to dry for several days before applying TWP stain.

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    BNH · 07/31/2021
    I'm trying to decide whether to use the 100 series product or the 1500 series product on a new cedar deck installed in April 2021 in Minnesota. If the MN state rules change sometime in the future, would I be able to retreat an originally 100 series treated deck with the 1500 series product (if the 100 series becomes unavailable in Minnesota)?
    Also, where can I find the instructions for use of the cleaning system? I would like to understand more detail about what tools and methods are required.
    Thanks.
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    Kyle · 05/09/2021
    What is the benefit of “cleaning” and brightening a new fence if we are just going to let it sit unstained and become dirty again over the “several days” it takes to dry? Makes absolutely no sense to me.
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      TWP Stains · 05/09/2021
      You have to prep new wood to remove oxidation and mill glaze. It does not get dirty again between the days of prep and staining.
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    Marie · 06/16/2020
    I am staining treated wood on a dock that was built last fall. Should I give it two coats? Also, I have some old stain that was not protected from freezing through the winter. Is it okay to use?
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      TWP Stains · 06/16/2020
      Just one coat. The stain probably has gone bad if it froze.
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    Nick · 05/14/2019
    Some stain got on our bluestone, how can we remove?
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      TWP Stains · 05/14/2019
      Try a graffiti remover cleaner from your local paint store and pressure washing.
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    Bob Pelland · 05/02/2018
    I have a new (one month old), small cedar deck and live in the NW. Can I stain it with 100 series product after the Gemini Restore Kit? I realize that seasoning is advised, but would sanding hasten the seasoning process? What's the down side to staining before your advised length of seasoning?
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      TWP Stains · 05/02/2018
      The new wood has to season for 4-12 months. You cannot "speed" up the process. It will not soak in properly if you do it now.
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    John Boyd · 04/09/2018
    I am going to stain a deck that has one new level and one old. My questions are:
    1- should I stain the newly cleaned and sanded (and darker with age) old area now or wait until I stain the new area in a few months?
    2- will a darker stain help to match the colors better?
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      TWP Stains · 04/09/2018
      1. Wait a few months to do all. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit.
      2. Not really. Maybe slightly but the new wood will always be slightly lighter in color.
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    TWP Stains · 04/30/2017
    Nat:
    I'm about to put up a new cedar fence. Am I supposed to let the wood dry in the sun for 4 months before I stain it?

    If smooth wood, yes. If rough sawn cut, you can stain now as long as the wood is clean and dry.
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    Nat · 04/29/2017
    I'm about to put up a new cedar fence. Am I supposed to let the wood dry in the sun for 4 months before I stain it?
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    TWP Stains · 03/31/2017
    Brooks Miller:
    is it ok to use the 1500 on new and old cedar shingles, as well as on my new redwood deck

    Yes it is!
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    Brooks Miller · 03/31/2017
    is it ok to use the 1500 on new and old cedar shingles, as well as on my new redwood deck
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    TWP Stains · 09/22/2016
    SierraRick:
    Used stripper and pressure wash, Brightened, but still had several areas of thick prior glaze. Sanded down to fresh wood which looks the same as the brightened area. Plan to wash again to remove sanded wood. Considering lightly sanding the un-sanded area to smooth. I don't have enough brightener to cover the area. Do I need to re-brighten after sanding or will washing with the pressure washer do?

    Washing should be okay.