Applying A Maintenance Coating of TWP!

This is for Decks that have previously been coated using TWP.
      Wood Maintenance, is different from a complete Wood Restoration. Restoring a wood surface means
bringing it back to a "like new" appearance from a neglected state, or it could be deciding to switch from one stain type to another stain type. Wood maintenance on the other hand is an ongoing process to keep well kept wood, looking good. Wood maintenance is simply cleaning and re-coating the wood with the same wood stain that was previously used.
       In preparing an exterior wood surface for maintenance, it is important to know what type of old stain is present. TWP Wood Preservative can be cleaned and re-coated easily but switching from one stain to another requires a different process. For our purposes here, we are assuming you are maintaining a wood surface that has a fading TWP Wood Stain already on it and you are ready to begin the maintenance.

        Cleaning the wood properly is essential to get lasting results. Use an oxygenated based wood cleaner that contains the active ingredient sodium percarbonate. These types of cleaners are registered by the EPA for mold and mildew removal. They also do an excellent job of removing dirt, grime, and unwanted soils. They come in a powdered form that easily mixes with water. Apply the wood cleaner using a pump sprayer or brush. Scrub or pressure wash the surface clean then rinse well. After the wood is cleaned and rinsed, it is necessary to apply a Wood Brightener. This will reverse the darkening effect of the caustic cleaner and restore pH levels in the wood. This will brighten the wood and help to ensure proper stain penetration. Do not skip this important second step in the wood cleaning process.
        Allow the wood to dry for at least 48 hours prior to staining. Protect things you do not want stain on like windows, shrubbery, concrete, or siding using tape, painter's plastic, or Prop Clothes. Always wear protective gear like gloves, mask, and safety glasses/googles.
        Apply any of the TWP Wood and Deck Preservatives using a brush, stain pad, roller, or garden pump-up sprayer. It is best to start up top on high surfaces like wood siding or gazebos and to work your way down. On decks, stain the railings and benches first before staining the deck floor.
Be sure the TWP stain is fully penetrating the wood and wipe away any excess stain that remains on the surface. Remember, there is still an older coat of stain in the wood so you will not apply as much stain on a maintenance coat as you would on bare wood surfaces. Stain each board or piece of wood from one end to the other end. Stopping in the middle of a section can create unsightly lap marks. Once you are satisfied that the wood has absorbed all the TWP stain that it can you are finished.