Choosing Armstrong Clark Oil Based Wood Stains will ensure lasting beauty and protection for all your exterior wood surfaces. Backed by five generations of experience in oil-based coatings and cutting edge technology, Armstrong Clark Wood Stains will not only meet your wood protection needs but far exceed them.
Determine the square footage area of the surface you plan to stain. On decks be sure not only to measure the floor but also railings, spindles, steps and all areas that you are planning to stain. Armstrong-Clark Deck and Siding Stains will cover approximately 150-200 sq. ft. per gallon depending on age and wood porosity.
The Armstrong Clark Staining Instructions
Armstrong Clark Deck and Siding Stains come in many different colors and tones. Keep in mind that the actual color results can vary depending on the type, age, condition, and porosity of the wood. Color samples are available if needed.
Prior to using any of the Armstrong Clark Wood Stains it is important to prepare the wood surface properly so the stain will perform as expected. See the RAD Wood Cleaner or Stain Stripper products for properly cleaning the wood surface prior to staining.
Allow the wood surface to dry 1-2 days after it has been cleaned and prepped. Be sure no rain is expected on the day of staining and for 3-4 hours after application so the stain can cure properly.
To apply Armstrong Clark Deck Stain you can use a roller, brush, stain pad, or airless sprayer. Mix the stain thoroughly prior to use. Unlike other stains, Armstrong Deck Stain can be applied in direct sunlight and on hot days. If the first application of stain penetrates within 30 minutes another coat can be applied for added protection.
If applying by sprayer, use a roller or brush to go over the sprayed areas for a more even appearance. After 24 hours use a dry rag to remove any remaining puddles or glossy areas.
Armstrong Clark Wood Stain is environmentally friendly and does not contain an offensive odor. It is easy to apply and very user-friendly. Enhancing the appearance of your deck and giving it lasting protection is the best investment you can make and Armstrong Clark Oil Based Wood Stains makes it easy.
Need Help with Materials Needed? Ask Below with your sq footage.
How to Calculate Square Footage
Deck Sq. Footage
Flooring Length x width =?
Railing Length x height =?
Steps Width x Depth x #of Steps =?
Add up all 3 for the Total Sq. footage.
Fence Sq. Footage
Length x height =?
Multiply x 2 for both sides = Total Sq. Footage
Coverage Rate for AC Stains
The specified coverage rate for Armstrong Clark is 150-250 square feet per gallon for the first coat. Second will apply at 200-300 per gallon. This averages to about 100-125 sq. feet per gallon for 2 coats wet on wet. From this, and from measuring the surface you can calculate how much stain you need. For more aged wood you could easily factor in some extra stain. On newer wood that is still smooth and dense, you probably are not going to use as much.
Note: Hardwood Decking spreads about twice as far. 300-400 sq feet per gallon and only 1 coat.
For maintenance coats you are not going to use near as much stain as you did initially staining bare wood. There are just way too many variables to know the exact coverage rate. There is really no way of knowing exactly how much stain you will need. It is better to buy more than you need than to not have enough. You can always save left over stain for next time. Armstrong Clark has a shelf life of 1 year if opened and 3 years unopened as long as the can is properly resealed.
I prepped my patio and was waiting 48 hours (tomorrow) to stain. A cold front is coming through and the temperature tomorrow will be between 40 and 58 F. The next night it will drop to mid 30s briefly overnight. Should I hold off on this project?
Wait until it warms up some more. Temps in the mid-30s at night is a little too cold.
how long will the transparent last. i want to preserve a clear redwood deck
Armstrong Clark does not come in clear as a true clear (no tint) will not provide any UV protection from graying. You must have a tinted stain for UV protection.
Thank you. What is the lightest tint I can use on clear redwood that will supply us protection from graying and how long will it last.
Natural tone is the lightest tint and will need a recoat every 12-18 months for a horizontal surface. 2-3 years for vertical surfaces.
I made a table top from Ipe scrap pieces. I sanded it with 80 grit to even out the wood and followed that with a 220 grit sanding. Will Armstrong Clark stain that I ordered from you (Amber)adhere to the to the Ipe after the 220 sanding or do I have to resand using the 80 grit for adhesion? Table is for outside patio with roof..
It will not soak in at 220 grit properly. Never more than 80.
What solvent is best for clean up of airless sprayer?
Mineral spirits will work.
I’m interested in refurbishing a couple of redwood play structures. They will be exposed to strong sunlight (and heat) and will be sprayed daily by a nearby sprinkler. I was thinking of using the semi-transparent redwood stain. Is that a good choice? If so, how long would you estimate that it would last before needing refinishing again?
Yes, the Sierra Redwood would be a good choice. Redo every 2-3 years is normal.
Is it ok to apply with temp at mid 50s but perhaps dropping to mid 40s at night.
Thank you.
As long as it does not drop below freezing at night.
What is the minimum temperature to safely apply oil based semi transparent stain
50.
I have a cedar fence I am restaining. Just finished stripping old 10yr old stain. Will apply the brightener next and then stain. There is 160 linear feet at 6ft. I have 2 5 gal Semi-Solid AC stain ready to apply by brush. If I determine that a 2nd coat will be neededwanted. How long do I have to make that decision and apply the 2nd coat. Thanks.
You are using the semi-solid. Just one coat is all you will need for this vertical fence. Back wipe any drips or runs within 20-40 minutes. Post a picture when done if you have a chance.
I am looking to stain a 12×24 redwood pergola. It’s built from large roughsawn timbers e.g. 8×8 post 4×6 joists, etc. It’s 18 mo’s old. Just pressure washed. How long will Armstrong last on this before need a new coat? Vertical surfaces go longer than decks? Thanks!
3-5 years for verticals.
I am applying the translucent cedar tone over new white cedar using a staining pad. If I apply the 2nd coat after 30 minutes when the first coat is absorbed, how long should I wait before wiping the excess off from the second coat? I saw the instructions above, but they seemed to speak to excess from the first coat.
Only 1 coat for new wood. Did you let the wood weather and prep correctly? https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Yes – the decking was installed in early July and had a fair amount of oxidation. I used the cleaner and brightener products before applying staining. So, I will follow your advice and only use one thorough coat this year.
Thanks!
I am building a deck using cedar. I won’t be done until end of October or early November. Would it be best to wait until spring to stain? Live in northern MN.
Yes. See this for tips: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
I have prepped with cleaner and brighter, sanded rough spots and finally started applying stain today. I have gotten through about half of the job and it has now started to rain. Most of the work has fully dried for over an hour, but what steps do I need to take now once it finishes raining? Do I need to clean again or can I just pick up on the unfinished area after it dries out? The parts that I have done turned out great with Rustic Brown I will say. This stain is amazing the way it covers and hides mistakes.
You should be okay to just finish as long as the rain did not harm the RB stain.
I cleaned my deck and applied brightener 24 hours ago (Monday). There is no rain in the forecast until Friday. Do I need to wait a full 48 hours before applying stain or can I go ahead and apply today (Tuesday)?
48 hours is correct.
It’s 24 hours at least until the rain is supposed to set in after doing it tomorrow. That should be enough time for it to cure?
Thanks!
Yes.
I missed the instruction to not use transparent stain on hardwood. I used the natural transparent on tigerwood and after 24hrs of drying there is a waxy residue on the surface. Will this harden with more drying time and not be a problem or do I have more work to do?
Try wiping it off with rags and mineral spirits. Saturate all oil rags in water and lay flat to dry outside when done.
Thanks for the reply. Will do.o
After the initial application when does one need to re-do the transparent stain vs semi-transparent stain?
Every 18-24 months for transparent and every 24-30 months for semi-transparent.
Thanks so much!
When can a stained deck with semi transparent AC be walk on.thanks
Depends on the wood, temps, coats applied. Typically 12-48 hours. Just make sure it is fully dry to the touch.
Thanks for your quick response. After the two coats are applied how long will the stain last? Can I re-apply ever couple of years or do I need to prep the wood again: Remove stain, power wash, brighten, etc….
Redo every 2-3 years. You always have to prep when redoing. Clean and brighten for prep. Do not have to strip.
How much stain is needed for 800 square feet for total surface area?
Apply two coats wet on wet. You will need about 6-8 gallons.
Do I need to use two coats of stain for a 10 year old pressure treated deck?
Hello. I made a tabletop for my fire bowl with clear vertical grain cedar that I stained with Armstrong semi-trans cedar. Some of the boards look splotchy (see photos). I prepped by sanding from 120 to 220 and cleaning with a tack cloth. I stained with a brush and wiped off after about a minute.
Did I do anything that I shouldn’t have (for future reference)? Would applying a second coat help?
Lastly, do I need to put any kind of finish on top to protect from water stains? (I’m thinking not since Armstrong is meant for decks and fences!)
You sanded the wood at a grit that is way to fine. The AC stain cannot penetrate properly. Sand at 60-80 grit next time. The AC cannot be top coated.
Thanks for the quick reply. Follow up question: I plan to build a gate fence with the same clear vertical grain cedar. I won’t sand with fine sandpaper next time. But would wood conditioner help with absorption? What do you recommend for best results with new, kiln-dried wood?
With new wood, see this: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Can your semi solid stain be used on pressure treated woods?
Yes.
My deck is 12 years old. Never been stained but power washed maybe twice. Used restore a deck cleaner and brightener, let deck dry for 48 hours. Applied one coat of driftwood semi-transparent stain. Stain soaked in within a few minutes. Deck is too big to apply 2 coats using wet-on-wet method. Should I put another coat on now or wait until next year?
BTW your stain looks great on the deck.
Best to wait a year. Lightly wash for the prep.
Hello. Is it ok to apply the second coat days after the 1st? And is it generally advisable to do two coats on an older deck? Or can i reapply in the spring if it needs a 2nd coat by first brightening the deck after the winter?
I have a large deck 15×50 and was wondering whether I can do a coat with 5 gal and check the coverage before ordering the 2nd bucket if needed. Would prefer not to sit on a $200 bucket of stain if I can get away with less. Assuming 2nd application will take a lot less? Maybe order 2 more gallons for the 2nd coat?
Thank you. First time staining a deck here. 🙂
For the two coats, you would need about 8 Gallons. Around 5 for the first and 3 for the second. it is best to do this wet on wet. If you wait until Spring, you will need more than three gallons for another coat. you would have to clean and brighten for the prep in the Spring, not brighten the wood.
Awesome customer service! Such a quick reply! Many thanks. Keep it going.
I have a new ipe wood deck and want to use the tone closest to its natural color. I am thinking a transparent oil but not sure which tone
Use one of the hardwood colors: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
Amber is the lightest tint.
We are going to apply your hardwood black walnut stain on new Ipe (decking and rails). How long do we let the wood age before applying?
About 3 months. See this: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
How much will a five gallon of your chestnut stain cover on three double sided cedar plank fence around 75 feet long each and approximately Six feet in height
A 5-gallon will cover about 750 sq feet for one coat.
Can’t seem to get close with the color (semi-trans) on sapele. Can this product be tinted or blended with other AC
color variations?
The AC cannot be custom tinted but you can mix colors of the AC together.
how long to dry
4-24 hours is normal and varies based on temps and UV exposure.
Should add mid 70 to 80 temp
Hi what are the cure times? Ac semi transparent. After 24hrs deck still has oder and feels damp… Not wet. I had wanted to apply second coat for protection. Is 24hrs enough cure time? Should I wait longer? No issues with it adhering to itself?
Thanks
Depends on the wood type and age. Could be 1-7 days to fully cure. Adding more is not always needed nor will it make it last longer. Might want to leave as is for now and do a light coat in the Spring after a light water wash.
Hello. I applied driftwood stain to the stairs this afternoon and unfortunately, rained at night. When I got home, all the steps were wet so I wiped with a cloth. The areas that I started first must have been dried before the rain but most of them weren’t since I could see mixed rain and stain on the cloth. I put plastic over after wiped off the water since it might rain again tonight.
What should I do next? I’m assuming I need to reapply the stain once it all dries up but do I need to clean and brighten again or can I just apply the stain?
Wait until the rain stops and the stain dries and cures before assessing if anything needs to be done or not. It may be fine.
Thank you for your timely reply. After removing the plastic cover this morning, some areas were still wet. I wiped them off again and took a photo. I think I need to stain again bottom few steps. I will wait for few more days but could you please tell me if I can just apply stain or need to clean / brighter again?
Just apply a very light coat to the area.
OK. Thank you!
Just completed applying oxford brown semi-solid stain on 2 yr. old PT wood. Stain is fantastic, easy to apply and looks beautiful. I had a couple of boards where either I applied too much stain or the wood would not absorb and there is a bubbly section of stain (see pic). Would sanding and then reapplying fix this or try to remove with mineral spirits?
Just wipe off with rags and mineral spirits the excess stain Saturate all oily rags in water and lay flat to dry outside.
I have a cedar deck that I have stained unsuccessfully 3 times now. Nothing will stick to it. I have stripped it once again. Your amberstrong-clark amber was recommended to me. I am afraid to stain it again. Why does this stain stick while the others don’t? Is it an oil? BTW I am going to sand it first.
The AC is a penetrating oil. As long as you prep correctly and apply correctly, it will soak into the wood grain. For the prep, you should remove all old coatings fully. After the sanding, clean and brighten the wood for final prep. This will allow the stain to soak into the wood better.
I have about 4 out of 5 gallons of your rustic brown stain left over. can i cover the top of the stain with some plastic wrap top keep it away from the air and store in original container?
Thanks
See this for tips on storing: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/shelf-life-of-armstrong-clark-stain
Plastic will not help to prolong cans that are already opened.
Hi there. We live up in Ottawa Canada and I’ve had your stain on my deck for about 2 years now. I cleaned, brightened and restrained all the flat portions which were directly exposed to sun. My question is the main reason why I restrained was because on some parts of my deck it discoloured almost black, i used an amber semi. Do you have any idea why that was and what would you suggest a normal care tips? I broom farily often and spray, too. Would you suggest a stiffer bristled brush instead of a broom to get in the grains? Our deck is cedar. Thanks.
Do you have pollen in the area? That is a known feeder or mildew. If the pollen lands on top of the stain, mildew may grow on top of the AC. The other option is just dirt landing on the deck from trees above.
We have pollen but I’m not sure if it’s any more than usual. What would be a way to lessen or prevent the darkening?
Try washing with soapy (dish sopay) water and a car wash brush every month.
Not a question, more of a review and some pics that hopefully might be helpful to others with mahogany.
I have a mahogany front porch and before using the product (Hardwood Stain) I was looking for some pics to help me choose my color. Understanding that mahogany can mean a few different species, I looked for a while to find some pics to help me choose. I couldn’t find any so perhaps this will be helpful to someone. I used the Hardwood Amber stain product.
Process:
My porch is 14 years old and we only bought the house last summer. Located 4 blocks from the beach in NJ, so coastal salt-air environment. Porch is covered but western facing so gets strong late day sun. I was uncertain what finish was on the deck from the prior owner. But it appeared to be an oil based stain, and it was quite dark in color.
I rinsed the porch and then I used OxiClean applied with a pump sprayer. Srubbed and rinsed.
Then I used a deck stripper. I used the Benjamin Moore Remove product, simply because I could find it easily. Scrubbed quite a bit.
Finally I used a deck brightener container oxalic acid to lighten the wood and neutralize after the stripper. Again applied with a pump sprayer. Srubbed but much less effort than the stripper.
A few small areas where still a bit dark so I sanded lightly with 80 grit on those spots.
I called the number on Armstrong Clark’s website and spoke to Mr. Clark himself. Very nice and helpful guy. A true gentleman. I ordered the Hardwood Amber stain product on-line and it was delivered as promised and on time. My porch is approximately 440 square feet but I ordered 2 gallons just to be sure.
I applied the product using a stain brush under the railings and for cutting in near the siding. The main areas I applied using as lambs wool applicator attached to a paint pole. The one gallon JUST made it for the porch. I did my best to work so that any area I cut in with the brush was not dry when I moved to the lambs wool applicator.
Overall staining was quite easy. Certainly much less effort than the wood prep process. I was careful not to let the product pool up anywhere.
As directed, I did not wipe off the stain as I applied. I waited about 12 hours (directions say 24 hours but I did not have the luxury of waiting and it appeared to have been fully absorbed by the wood at 12 hours). Then I went back with clean rags and wiped off any excess. This part wasn’t fun, but not because of any issues with the product…it is just a “down on your hands and knees” job. Used multiple rags for this.
We then stayed off the porch for 48 hours. I then wiped off the decking one last time with one rag just to be sure there was no residual excess product left on the surface. Not much at all came up. Finally at about 60 hours post application we returned the furniture to the porch and began to use it normally.
Overall, I am extremely pleased thus far with the Armstrong Clark hardwood stain. Restoring a deck or porch is a lot of work. So you hold your breath and hope for a good result after some real effort. In my case, the results are fantastic so far and the color is terrific on my porch and unlike the darker color from before really shows the grain.
We will see how the product holds up over time in a rough salt-air environment, but given the apparent quality thus far I am optimistic.
Picture are Before and after in order:
In 2016 I stained my PT deck with Cedar railings with one coat Rustic Brown. It’s been 2 years and I would like to restain (7/2018). I completed light pressure washing today. Is there anything else I should do before adding an additional coat?
This is great stuff! mold., mildew, dirt came right off. MUCH different process than when it was just bare wood.
Thanks
Post a picture, please.
If my older Redwood deck was washed and cleaned on a Weds, and coated on a Friday would the deck surface be dry enough to place some rolling planter trays on Sat. Afternoon.
It should be.
I’m just about to begin staining my cleaned and brightened PT deck with Oxford Brown semi-solid. I had thought I should be planning on a wet-on-wet double coating, but the can’s instructions say that does not apply to the semi-solid. Is that correct–one coat only for the Oxford?. It looks great and applies like a dream! Labor-saving is great, but I want a good finish. Many thanks.
Randall
Just do the one coat for semi-solids unless the wood is very dried out. If too much stain is applied it will not absorb fully.
How long after staining can furniture be placed on the deck again?
Typically a day or two. Just make sure the stain is fully dry and cured.
I LOVE your product! I have put 1 coat on and it looks beautiful, but was wondering if I need a 2nd coat now. Redwood new 2017, sanded due to using product that did not hold up, cleaned & brightened and 1 coat of sierra redwood.
Looks great! Just one coat for new wood. You can do a light coat next year if needed.
I just stained my mahogany deck with Armstrong-Clark amber semi-transparent stain. The deck was sanded prior. One coat was applied. It looks fine. Do you recommend a second coat a week after the first coat? We are in New Hampshire.
No. Do a light coat next Spring for Mahogany wood.
About four weeks ago, I took five days and went to Vermont to help my son recover parts of his house, purchased in August of ’17, from two floods that occurred on Jan. 13 and again on Feb. 15-what has become a long and sad story. My job on this work trip, among other things, was to begin to reclaim two decks on the house, deck 1 about 120 sq ft. and deck 2 about 400 sq. ft. I power washed, stripped, sanded, cleaned, and brightened the decks and replaced all the railings with new pressure treated before returning home. I will be heading back to Vermont in about two weeks to stain. Several questions: 1. Will I need to clean and brighten again before staining? [I only have five days available to me.] 2. Given the overall age and condition of the wood, I am thinking an opaque stain-would you agree? 3. Can I go ahead and stain the new wood on the railings? 4. After staining, when can the surface be walked on? One must walk on the decks to get in the house and there are children, so figuring the best way to accomplish the job, given the drying time, will be a trick! I have attached photos of pre-prepped and post-prepped of both decks. Thanks.
You will need a solid stain to cover this as you did not remove all of the previous solid stain. The AC products do not come in solid stain colors so it will not work for you. Thanks
I put semi-transparent redwood on my deck yesterday evening, unfortunately it rained last night, so not sure if it fully cured. This morning some of the boards had the water beading but not all. Is it too late for a second coat or will it simply take longer to cure? Should I extend the use beyond the ecommended 72 hours? Thanks!
Leave alone for now. It will most likely be fine once fully cured.
Thanks!
Greetings. This photo was taken three days after I applied the Amber stain to my Ipe deck. Do you think this needs a second coat? I stripped the old stain and neutralized the wood before staining it. The boards on the far right are under an eave and get less direct sun and water. The other boards seem dull and show much more weathering. Your recommendations please!
Looks good. If you want to add a light maintenance coat, it would be best to do this in the Spring.
Should be 1 coat.of stain/ sealer For EPI
THIS TYPE OF WOOD IS EXTREMELY HARD..an requires the oil sealer..
I used the Armstrong Clark Amber wood stain. Is this a sealer as well?
Yes it is.
Hi there! I purchased the Semi Solid Oxford Brown Stain. Deck is prepped with Cleaner & Brightener. Question: how do you suggest to apply stain between floorboards? First and then roll deck……or?
Thanks!
Yes, but you will need to do this right away. Do the edges and then immediately do the board top.
So just do 2-3 only, at a time….correct? Thank you!
1-3. Yes.
Received your order today, great turnaround, ordered this on Monday 6/18 received on Thursday 6/21 same week.
I did not see the credit for the samples on the bill. Sample order # 00024904 $16.00, regular order #0025052 $409.98. The sample order # was in the comment section of the order.
I will be using a spray gun to stain the cabin but i need to know what size head (orfes) I need for the spray gun.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thank You
J Neil
Samples are credited to you sample order, typically the next business day and will post to your Credit card or Pay Pal account within 3-8 business days.
Not sure on the tip size.
Thanks for the updated.
Sorry. This one didn’t go through originally. It is of the upper porch
We cleaned and brightened a new deck (treated pine that dried for a year). Stained it today with black walnut – some areas really soaked it in and some are pretty dark. Should/can we apply another coat in a few days? Buffalo NY on Lake Erie. Does it change in appearance over the first day or two as it all cures? We wouldn’t be able to do another coat till later in the week.
Post a picture after a few days.
Ok. Will get one to you tomorrow
Attached are the pictures. As you can see it’s a two level porch. The upper level seems a decent amount lighter than the lower level. Can we safely apply a second coat to the upper level. It was new treated wood, cleaned and brightened. I believe some sanding was done on the boards They were stained four days ago. Thank you. Tricia Burke
It all looks good. Adding more could create issues with drying. Best to leave as is. You can always apply a light coat next year.
PS. I should have mentioned. It is an Ipe deck and I used the Amber stain on it.
Sorry for the delay. 24-48 hours is normal.