Armstrong-Clark’s deck and siding wood stain makes use of conditioning oils that part from the drying oils in the formula. The nondrying oils penetrate into the wood and take the place of the wood’s diminishing natural oils. This process revives and restores wood.
The drying oils stay on the wood surface and lock in the conditioning oils to produce a barrier that is dry to the touch. Armstrong’s deck and siding wood stain contain vegetable oils in addition to transparent pigments, solvents, mildewcides and water repellents.
- Application can be done in direct sunlight and on hot days. If the first coat of stain penetrates within 30 minutes an additional coat may be applied for extra protection.
- Applies easily by roller, brush, or airless sprayer. During spraying – going back over with a brush or roller will help give a more even appearance. After 24 hours any remaining puddles or glossy spots can be removed using a dry rag.
- Older wood is reconditioned by deep penetrating nondrying oils.
- Drying oils lock in the conditioning oils while pigments and water repellents lock out moisture and UV damage.
- Armstrong wood stain is compliant with all environmental standards.
- Does not contain any offensive odors.
Coverage Area
Armstrong-Clark Deck and Siding Stain applies at 150-200 sq ft per gallon. Depending on wood porosity, actual coverage will vary.
Available Colors
Transparent Cedar Tone, Transparent Natural Tone, Transparent Redwood Tone, Amber, Mahogany, Semi-Trans Black Walnut, Semi-Trans Cedar, Semi-Trans Chestnut, Semi-Trans Driftwood Gray, Semi-Trans Natural Oak, Semi-Trans Rustic Brown, Semi-Trans Sierra Redwood, Semi-Solid Espresso, Semi-Solid Mtn. Cedar, Semi-Solid Oxford, Semi-Solid Sequoia, Semi-Solid Woodland Brown
Important
*We do not guarantee stain colors as they will vary widely depending on the wood type, age of wood, prepping of wood, and application. Small samples are available at top.
Purchased kit in June for cedar deck. A few questions. The deck was finished being installed completely by end of June with kiln dried western cedar. Wood had been exposed to elements throughout all of May. We are in Ontario Canada and have some pretty harsh winters. Should we prep and stain this fall or wait until the spring? I do we wait, will the product still be okay to use?
I kiln-dried, you can stain after 1-2 months of weathering and prep. We would suggest now. Just one coat of stain.
We live on a lake and had the dock replaced 6month ago with pressure treated wood. The wood is very dry, can I stain it now or have to wait a year?
thank you,
Lori
You can stain now after prep: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
In the description above it mentions that it applies easily by “… garden sprayer…”, but in the “application tools” section on the right, it doesn’t mention garden sprayer. Also, on the “product data sheet” it say “no garden sprayers”.
I am asking specifically about the “transparent natural tone” product.
Can you please let me know if a garden sprayer is an acceptable to apply this to a pergola? I will be using a deck pad and brushes to apply to a deck.
Thanks.
It is too thick for most garden sprayers to work correctly.
I am staining a ceder fence ive used the rustic brown semi trans stain. Made 2 orders for stain and it came out perfect i just did a reno and put up new fence from same distributer of fence panels and waiting about the same time to stain.. the new batch is coming out way lighter. Its not even close i would be fine if it was couple shades off based on the panels ive used but doesnt even match the sample on web page. Any help would be appreciated
It is the wood. New wood is less absorbent so it stains lighter. Nothing you can do about it right now but over time it will blend. Also, make sure you mixed the pail well as the pigment can settle to the bottom.
I have used TWP oil based stain for my log house 3 years ago. For my new coat can I use Armstrong Clark oil based stains?
Ulrich
After you strip and brighten the wood, yes: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
We have a log cabin that needs to be repaired before we stain it. We are considering using LiquidWood products. Do you have experience with this or other products and any guidance on assuring a reasonably stainable surface?
Wood fillers will not work to “stain” or blend with wood stains like Armstrong.
We applied a coat of semi transparent chestnut to our new fence last July. It looks great, but does a 2nd coat need to be applied during the life of the fence? I know I’ve heard that some stains need to be applied 2 years in a row or something like that before they can be left for 10+ years. Just want to make sure we get the longest life out of our fence. Thanks!
Leave alone for now, you can always add another coat in a few years if needed.
Are there any authorized dealers in Chicago?
No, there are not.
I have red cedar shingle siding. After stripping old finishes and brightening the shingles are yellowed from their original reddish tone. What tint would you recommend to restore the red cedar tone?
I am thinking Sierra Redwood.
Yes, that would work well.
Hi, We have 9,044 linear sq feet of cedar on our ceilings (both interior and exterior). It was installed 2 years ago and one coat of AC clear coat natural finish was factory applied. We would like to keep up on the
maintenance. Does the wood need to be prepped before applying another coat? It appears to be in good condition.
Also, how many gallons would I need? Our invoice from the wood manufacturer states:
STAIN FOR CEDAR-LAM – ONE COAT
ARMSTRONG CLARK CLEAR COAT
NATURAL FINISH FACTORY APPLIED
Do you think I should order the transparent natural tone?
Thank you in Advance.
It sounds like they used the Transparent Natural. Ceilings can last for many years. I doubt anything needs to be done to it after only 2 years. Feel free to post some pictures.
Here are some pictures. The cedar is on 2 small exterior walls which have direct sun exposure (one is pictured). Just want to clarify…we don’t need to stain yet or nothing needs to be done prep the wood before staining?
If you don’t recommend staining yet, how many years can we wait? Thank you
It still looks good. I would suggest waiting for another 1-2 years.
That’s good news…I thought this would be more of a regular maintenance job. Since we’re talking will you let me know how many gallons I will need when the time comes? And also does the wood needs to be prepped before applying?
I am thinking about the transparent natural tone for my deck and pergola… can I do 2 coats a few hours apart? Will that offer more protection than 1 coat?
The deck is PT decking about 13 months old and the pergola is rough cut that will be about 10 months old when I start (but it’s very dry.)
The plan is to use a pad for the deck and a airless sprayer for the pergola, back brushing with both.
One last question, how long before the deck can be used (foot traffic, human and dog)?
Thanks.
If doing two coats do the second 20-60 minutes after the first. Wait about 24-48 hours before using.
I am going to be using Western Red Cedar T&G for my exterior siding. I am looking to match the attached picture in color. Would I achieve this with Rustic Brown or Natural Oak Semi-Transparent stains?
Thanks
Colors will vary based on the wood age and type so there is no way to say for certain. Best to try a sample on your wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
Also see here for new wood and using the AC: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Thanks for the reply. Our supplier of the cedar boards is telling us to stain all six sides prior to installation. Once installed, we can do a 2nd coat on the outside face only (this step is not required).
Being that it is new cedar. Would you say that Natural Oak is the closest to the picture I posted?
Sorry, but they are wrong. You cannot pre-stain wood prior to install nor is there any advantage to this. Wood needs to breathe and not be 100% encapsulated on all six sides. Also, wood stains like the AC will not take to new smooth wood unless weathered and prepped.
You would need to test samples to see the color on your wood and since you cannot pre-stain, it is best to order the samples.
I have a timber home. The timbers have not been treated since the house was assembled in mid 90’s. They have a nice gray finish that easily power washes off. My question is: Do i need to power wash before I stain? I have refinished all my decks with semi trans driftwood gray. It seems that the stain would penetrate the gray layer and be effective. Thoughts
You will need to remove all previous coatings and gray oxidation first.
Hello.
New cedar fence installed last fall in Minnesota. We ordered samples and like the transparent natural stain on test boards. The boards are very rough cut on one side (facing us) and the neighbors side and posts are more smooth. See attached.
Should we do any prep/clean/brighten with these style boards? They seem well dried out and our main hope is to deepen the color a bit and protect. The results will obviously be really different on each side and we’re ok with that.
thanks
Prep all wood with this kit: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
I’m in a similar timeframe of my rough cut cedar fence (on both sides) in WI. It was installed Oct 2019. Fence install company said I only needed to wait 3-6 months to stain but looks like your product suggests a year. Should I wait until fall?
12 months only if suing the semi-solid colors. See here: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Hi I order several gallons of Amber and received it yesterday. In the photo gallery I liked the colour but did not notice that that was on IPE wood. I tried it on cedar yesterday and I do not like the orange/golden tone and was hoping for a light-medium brown.
This is going on a stripped and brighten cedar fence. Can I mix it 50/50 with Natural Oak (Rustic Brown?) to get a more brownish colour?
Thanks
Yes, you can. Rustic Brown would be more brown to mix with.
Hello, I posted a question on 5/1 (Paul) about a 1300 square foot deck around a pool. I’m ready to order if you can confirm my plan (products and quantities) sounds good. Thank you.
2 Kits of the RAD Stripper/Brightener are correct. For two coats of semi-transparent, you will need closer to 13 gallons. If you choose semi-solid, you will be closer to 10 gallons and only one coat is typically needed.
thanks!
apparently I can’t order now anyway. Here’s hoping you open up again soon
Withing 24-48 hours you can!
excellent!
why 2 coats of semi-transparent vs. only 1 of semi-solid? Is that for color/look? is the protection the same?
The semi-solid has much more pigment and adding too much, it may not soak in correctly. Protection is better for 1 coat of semi-solid compared to 2 coats semi-trans.
interesting, thanks. Is the “Amber” color (listed under “Hardwoods & Softwoods” considered a semi-solid?
No, semi-transparent.
Hello, a followup to your reply from last May.. (The project didn’t happen last year but will now.)
The semi-solid spread farther. 10 Gallons should be good.
Thank you! Is this true regardless if rolled or sprayed?
You should not spray or roll. Use a stain pad or brush for best application.
This is news to me! Why do all the instructions say “Pad, Airless Sprayer, Brush, Roller” ??
Pump sprayers will not work. Airless is fine but you will still need to back brush to ensure it is applied evenly. Rollers will apply but are not as easy as a stain pad as they can splatter. So best are stain brushes and stain pads.
ok thanks!
Stain has arrived! Last question I promise. You say wait 2 days after stripping/cleaning. is there any problem if a full week passes between prep and staining?
No issues. Just stain within 2 weeks of prep.
Hi,
I have a 1300 square foot deck surrounding an inground pool. The deck is entirely flat and ground level, no railings or seating and some plantings surrounding it.
The deck is made of Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine and is 10yrs old and the wood itself is generally in good condition.
3yrs ago it was finished with PPG ProLux (from Home Depot) but while some of that junk remains visible, that finish (which didn’t seem to penetrate at all) has mostly been stripped away by the weather. Mostly but not everywhere.
My plan is to use RestoreADeck Stripper/Brightener (2 kits worth) and 10 Gallons of the Armstrong Clark Stain either Semi Transparent or Semi-Solid.
Does this all sound reasonable? Does the pool have to be covered/masked/protected from any of the cleaning solutions? Thanks!
Post a picture or two.
Thanks for the reply. Here are some pix..
What kind of stain would you for a 4 year old pine log home. Not sure what kind of stain prior owner used. One side gets full sun, another only a little bit of evening sun.
You will have to remove the previous stain first. Use the AC in a semi-trans or semi-solid.
is Ready Seal 512 from Amazon your product and the same as Armstrong-Clark wood stain
No, it is not the same.
Semi transparent Rustic Brown on our fence
It looks nice and not too dark. How many coats?
Only 1 coat, thankfully, we have a lot of fencing! I tried using a roller, but since the boards are staggered, it didn’t roll on well. Plus, the roller seemed to absorb too much stain. So, l just used a brush to apply.
And that was rustic brown? In other pictures rustic brown looks darker. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or staining tips!
The color will vary widely based on the age of the wood and the type.
Yes, we let the fence age a couple of years beforehand and it was constructed with PT boards. Just built a new section of fence and the wood is still very yellow, so it will need some time to cure otherwise I don’t think it will match so well.
Thank you! Our fence was grey so we power washed. It looks like a brand new fence. Wondering if we should let it sit a bit before staining.
No stain within 2 weeks of the prep.
How long will left over stain last?
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/shelf-life-of-armstrong-clark-stain
We have a deck that is approximately 30 years old. It was last sanded and stained about 7 years ago. Portions of the deck are covered in mildew/algae. We were planning on power washing, sanding, and staining. Is this the way to go or should we be following different steps? We will need to replace 3 rotted boards. The deck is 60×12. How much stain will will need?
Send pictures for prep help. About 5-7 gallons for the two coats. More if you have railings and steps.
Pictures attached. Thank you!
Use this kit while pressure washing for prep: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper.
Thank you, so no sanding?
I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. If I order today, when can I expect delivery?
Shipping takes about 4-6 business days to BC.
I have a 14’x17′ treated pine pergola that has been up for about 6 months now and we are going to stain after the holidays. We are in S Florida so I assume that semi transparent would be the way to go for “some” UV protection. I’m having an issue trying to figure out how much I’m going to need. Not sure if one 5 gallon bucket will be enough? is there any advice you can give or anyone else feel free to chime in
thanks
mike
What is the total sq footage of all wood that is being stained? Pictures would help. See this for new wood tips: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
How do I track the shipment of my order?
When it ships an email is sent from UPS.
I know it has to be above 49F to stain. It’s getting to that for several hours during the day, but is dropping below at night. How will that effect the stain? Should I wait until spring early summer for more consistent temps?
It can drop below that at night but not below freezing. It will take longer to dry and cure with low temps.
Do your Standard and Hardwood stain lines have similar penetration properties or is the Ipe line a deeper penetrating product? I will be using your stain on 30 yr old 1×6 redwood siding that has been cleaned and prepped. The siding is very dry on certain exposures and I’m sure will drink it up. I’m looking to get as much goodness as deep as possible but do not need to penetrate a hardwood like Ipe. Can I use your Standard line? Thanks – Larry
They penetrate the same. The Hardwood colors are colors designed for Ipe or Hardwood but can be used on other wood types. You can use any color you like for the Redwood.
I just had 317ft of 6ft cedar fence installed about a month ago out here in Colorado. I am wondering how many gallons of semi transparent stain I’ll need? I plan on staining both sides. I had ordered some samples and just ordered another one to help decide on which tone to go with. Thank you for your time!
For about 3800 total sq feet and 1 coat of the AC, you will need about 20-25 gallons. If you do two coats, about 35-40 gallons.
Would you recommend 1 or 2 coats the first year or 1 first yr and 2nd next year? I live at 5300ft in dry colorado with sun exposure. Thanks!
Is the wood smooth or rough sawn cut?
It was considered their premium cedar pickets and I would say smooth
Just one coat is all you need then.
Is it best to brush on, roll or airless sprayer? Thanks
Brush or stain pad is best. You can spray and then back wipe any drips.
If your deck was done in your Semi-solid stains how do you get the deck ready to redo the stain when it is time to redo your deck? I am trying to decide which stain to buy a semi-transparent or a semi-solid stain and how easy it would be to clean the deck to reapply the stain.
You clean and brighten the wood for reapplication. No difference in prep between the semi-solid and semi-transparent colors.
What semi transparent stain color is best for a mahogany porch? I would like it to look as true to mahogany as possible…
Any color you want will work. Lightest hardwood color would be Amber.
Are you familiar with the juice box sprayer? If so, do you think it would apply the semi transparent stain to a Cedar fence well?
Not sure if it will work or not. The AC is too thick for a pump sprayer but will work with an airless sprayer.
Are there any Armstrong Stain dealer around the Toronto Canada area
No, there are not.
Hi…
I will be cleaning/brightening my cedar deck soon and reapplying the same semi-trans stain color I did 2 years ago.
Is there a maximum amount of time between clean/brighten and actual staining that I should be aware of? I know I will need to let it dry after brightening…but just curious how long I have before I should get onto the actual staining after that first step?
thanks!
Stain within 2 weeks of prep.
I want to stain my newly install patio ceiling. It is made of cedar tongue and groove. Is there a recommended stain for this? Also, do any of these stains aid in termite prevention? Thank you for your help.
No, a stain will not help with termites but your wood should hinder this on its own. Use any color of the AC that you like. Maybe Natural?
Any dealer in upstate NY? I am slightly concerned as I am restaining a deck that in the past I used the Olympic Maximum stain Brick Red. Will your mahoganybe close? It looks very red on your color swatches above
Sorry, no dealers there. Best to try some samples: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
Can you use a Wagner sprayer to apply your transparent stain on a deck?
That should work.
hi for the deck of massaranduba in the Caribbean which stain is better the semi transparent Amber or the transparent natural tone?
Amber.
How long will it take to ship 5 gallon pails to southern Ontario Canada?
About 3 business days.
So if I have a table and chairs on my deck I should use semi-solid?
Not sure what you are asking? Use a semi-solid on the table or chairs or use a semi-solid on deck because of table and chairs? Doesn’t matter what you use on the deck. It is not suggested to use semi-solids on furniture.
I have a new pressure treated pine wood deck, it will be between 3-5 months in May and ready for staining. Which type of stain is recommended? Transparent, semi transparent, semi solid or solid? I know another coat will be needed after a year of the first coat, can I use the leftover stain? Or do I need a different type? Does additional coat in the future of (ex. Semi transparent) changes the color of the deck? Any guidance is appreciated, thank you!
Semi-transparent. One coat the first year. Use the same type and color when redoing. No, color is not changed.
Previous stain is 3 years old and needs to be stripped that is why I am planning on sanding, to get to bare wood. After sanding I plan on blowing with pressure, then applying stain. Will that be fine or do I need to pressure wash? Problem is, this is a rental house not in the same town in which we live, and we can only do all the work on a weekend. I fear that after pressure washing the deck it will not dry in time to apply stain.
After sanding, you should use a deck cleaner and pressure washer to open the wood grain. Do not use sandpaper that is finer than 80 grit.
how long to arrive in pa near Philadelphia
2-3 business days.
Is there a calculator to help determine how much stain and RAD is needed? I have 435 sq. ft. of deck, 246 sq, ft. of railing (2×4 with 1×1 balusters) and 408 sq. ft. of lattice with trim on top and bottom.
For 1100 sq feet, you will need 2 RAD Kits. About 6-8 gallons of the stain.
we just installed a new treated pine deck last fall we are not sure what to do, I see that you said not to sand them, so I just want to use the brightener kit with power washer and than stain? Since it is a brand new deck do I use the semi stain? Thank you so much for your help
See this for new wood tips: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Prep and stain with 1 coat. Semi-transparent colors are what most use.
I flipped all my boards over about 3 yrs. ago.
I ran them thru a plane to get a nice uniform surface.
Then I sanded all of them.
Never applied any stain to them.
I plan to power wash where the shaded area has some mildew and sand the whole deck again.
My wife has selected the Expresso solid stain.
Will my prep be sufficient?
thx
david
No. Do not sand as that will hinder the stain penetration. Use this kit while pressure washing: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Just one coat of the semi-solid stain.
Thank you for the reply.
Will do as suggested.
david
One more …
I have about 3 boards and two steps that I did not plane or sand
Those items still have a 15 year old stain on them.
How should I handle this?
thx
david
Depends on the type of stain that it is. Best to post a picture.
I went out there and looked at it.
Kind of hard to tell the difference between the bare weathered wood and the few that still had stain.
I ordered your deck restorer/cleaner and I will keep you posted after using that.
thx
david
going to be using this on a pergola. it is pressure treated pine, in south FL. size is 14’x17′ free standing. i think 5 gallons is overkill, but what do you guys think
thanks
mike
Hard to say how much you will need without a sq footage of wood to be covered. 5-gallons will be enough but you may only need 2-4.
Ok thanks… I’ll just get 5 to be safe and for later when it’s time to refinish
what is the difference of hardwood stain vs hardwood ipe. my deck is mahogany? which one is best?
They are the same thing.
What is the best way to mix stain in 5 gallon pail, an then transfere to work bucket, thanks for your help
Use a 5-gallon paddle mixer that attaches to your drill.
Thank you for your fast response. It is much appreciated. Now, for a few more questions: I like the Driftwood color but, if in later years I tire of it does all of the Driftwood have to be removed totally before a re-stain?
And, the golden tone of the transparent stain is lovely. Would two coats be better than one?
Thank you.
Yes, you will have to strip off the Driftwood if switching colors. Very easy to do. As for how many coats to apply, that would vary based on the wood type and the age of the wood.
I brushed on the Armstrong Semi Transparent stain on my cedar fence, 4 or5 years ago and overall it still looks good. However, there are places on some of the parallel boards and lower areas where my lawn people have hit their weed eaters have hit the boards that need an application. Is it possible to just reapply some of the remaining product that I have on hand to these places versus start over with stripping the entire fence and re staining it?
It will look like you spot applied it if you do not do all.
Allright, I will revise my question in this manner. Can I simply rebrush the entire fence with the Armstrong Stain and skip the stripping step?
You have to prep when recoating. Use this and pressure washing for the prep when doing a maintenance coat: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-wood-cleaner