Here is great video from one of our customers showing how to prep and apply a maintenance coat of the Armstrong Clark Wood Stain.
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Julie
13 days ago
I have a 2-year-old coat of Armstrong Clark semi-transparent on my 20-year-old pine deck. It still looks good, Just a few areas wearing. I want to do a maintenance coat. Can I do just the cleaner since it has a base coat? Do I need to pressure wash the cleaner off, or can I just hose? I don’t want to strip the base coat.
I’ve seen conflicting replies about this on this forum. Some say to use the cleaner and brightener. Some say to use only the cleaner at half strength if you have a base coat. Even the video you have on a maintenance coat uses only the cleaner, not the brightener…. Also, this is the third time we have recoated with AC. When we use the pressure washer, it strips off all of the stain. That’s why I was asking about Just hosing it off. My stain still looks good.
If it has been only a year, we suggest doing the 1/2 strength option and washing it with a light wash. If over 2 years, we recommend the full redo. Since you have some light wearing and over 2 years, we suggested the full prep. It is perfectly normal if some or all the stain comes off during the prep with a full redo. This gives the new coating the best penetration performance and overall final appearance.
You cannot just “hose” off the prep. You need some pressure.
Thanks for the clarification. If we are brushing the cleaner, can that be hosed off? I saw a previous post recommending brushing/light pressure washing and I took that to mean either/or. If light pressure is sufficient, would a pressure attachment for a hose do? Thanks.
No, you cannot just “hose” off the cleaner. You can apply it, lightly scrub with soft bristle brush, then lightly pressure was “rinse” it off.
Jeff M Barnett
3 months ago
Stained new deck wood after 2 months with AC in September..one coat..Moisture content 9-11%..Wood accepted stain differently on whole deck..I was expecting this.When could I possibly do another coat/ with same product??And recommended prep steps..Your input greatly appreciated..
Correct. Use the RAD Cleaner and Brightener Kit that we sell.
Jenny
4 months ago
I have some leftover amber that I used for my ipe deck (used it about 1 week ago). Can I use the leftover on my cedar siding? Same process? Restore-a-deck cleaner and brightner, and then apply the amber stain? Or is the cleaner/brighter not necessary?
Thanks
Yes. You have to prep but how depends on the condition of the wood and if it has a current coating or not.
Julio
5 months ago
Hello! I am in need of a maintenance coat after 2yrs on my horizontals. I had previously used your Semi Transparent Natural Oak, and will use it again. Do I need to use a brightener or just the cleaner since it is the same stain?
Hola! I did my cleaning and brightening yesterday. I noticed some fuzzies all over the deck- So we will be sanding it Saturday, 48hrs after the cleaning and brightening. Do I need to clean and brighten after sanding again? Or can I sand, clean the dust, and just stain?
Do not sand finer than 60-80 grit. If you power sand it is suggested to brighten the wood after to help “open” up the wood pores.
Wayne
6 months ago
Is it ok to restrain my deck with a solid oil-based AC stain over my original semi-transparent job? How should I prep after 2 years since original semi-transparent coat?
In order to apply a “maintenance coat” of stain to a 1-year old patio cover, what is needed to clean and prepare the wood for a single coat of the same Armstrong Sierra Redwood Semi-Transparent stain?
My Armstrong Clark semi transparent stain Amber water spotted after 3days drying deck was completely sanded and pressure washed before application deck was Completley dry, what can I do?
That is used for interior stains, not exterior. Completley different products are used outside.
Mary Hickling
8 months ago
I have 3, 20 yr old knotty pine clad garage doors that my painter sanded down to bare wood. He then applied a pre-conditioner and after that he applied one coat of Armstrong-Clark semi transparent Cedar stain. Now the garage doors look very blotchy! What can I do?
No exterior penetrating stain suggest using a preconditoner. Does not matter the wood type.
David W.
8 months ago
I need to do a maintenance coat of rustic brown semi-transparent stain on only the horizonal surfaces. So I need to use RAD cleaner to prep the deck but do I need the RAD brightener. Will either of these products effect the vertical surfaces? I don’t wait to re-do them.
You should brighten after the cleaner to neutralize. It is possible that splashing onto the verticals may lighten up the old stain so be careful and rinse over spray right away.
Michele S
8 months ago
we stained our deck 2 years ago and the hubby just powerwashed to prep for a maintenance coat… do we still need to use the RAD cleaner prior to recoat?
Which part of the process do i use a pressure washer? Pressure wash the surface to prep for cleaner or do I apply cleaner and or brighter with pressure washer?
Apply the Cleaner with a pump sprayer to a damp deck and then pressure wash off. You cannot apply the prep product through the pressure washer.
Eugene
1 year ago
I’m using the amber stain on My redwood deck. Would you recommend doing a second coat? Also, I had a couple areas that puddled up a little bit and darkened more than the rest of the deck. Is there a fix to this?
Even if I sand down the area where it puddled and ended up darker? I was thinking to sand that section down to lighten it up and reapply some stain, would this work? Thank you for your reply.
I applied a maintenance coat on my mahogany front porch. One area just will not dry completely. I have wiped off excess stain twice. How do I get rid of the tackiness?
Wipe it down with rags and mineral spirits. Make sure to saturate any oily rags in water when done.
Dave
1 year ago
I stained my pressure treated deck last year with one coat of armstrong clark semi transparent natural oak. I want to apply another coat of stain this year. What is the proper way to clean/prep the deck before applying the second coat? Can I use a bleach and water solution like I used for the first coat or do you recommend something else? Also I have a gallon can of stain which I opened last year. Will this can of stain still be good?
Use only the cleaner? Brightener is not necessary? Will bleach and water work for cleaning instead of restore-a-deck wood cleaner? Whatever cleaning method produces the best staining results is what I will use.
I have a 2-year-old coat of Armstrong Clark semi-transparent on my 20-year-old pine deck. It still looks good, Just a few areas wearing. I want to do a maintenance coat. Can I do just the cleaner since it has a base coat? Do I need to pressure wash the cleaner off, or can I just hose? I don’t want to strip the base coat.
You should do the full steps of cleaner and brightener whenever reapplying. Use the pressure washer.
I’ve seen conflicting replies about this on this forum. Some say to use the cleaner and brightener. Some say to use only the cleaner at half strength if you have a base coat. Even the video you have on a maintenance coat uses only the cleaner, not the brightener…. Also, this is the third time we have recoated with AC. When we use the pressure washer, it strips off all of the stain. That’s why I was asking about Just hosing it off. My stain still looks good.
If it has been only a year, we suggest doing the 1/2 strength option and washing it with a light wash. If over 2 years, we recommend the full redo. Since you have some light wearing and over 2 years, we suggested the full prep. It is perfectly normal if some or all the stain comes off during the prep with a full redo. This gives the new coating the best penetration performance and overall final appearance.
You cannot just “hose” off the prep. You need some pressure.
Thanks for the clarification. If we are brushing the cleaner, can that be hosed off? I saw a previous post recommending brushing/light pressure washing and I took that to mean either/or. If light pressure is sufficient, would a pressure attachment for a hose do? Thanks.
No, you cannot just “hose” off the cleaner. You can apply it, lightly scrub with soft bristle brush, then lightly pressure was “rinse” it off.
Stained new deck wood after 2 months with AC in September..one coat..Moisture content 9-11%..Wood accepted stain differently on whole deck..I was expecting this.When could I possibly do another coat/ with same product??And recommended prep steps..Your input greatly appreciated..
Clean it and recoat in the Spring.
Cleaner and brightener??
Recommended product,please..
Thank you much.
Correct. Use the RAD Cleaner and Brightener Kit that we sell.
I have some leftover amber that I used for my ipe deck (used it about 1 week ago). Can I use the leftover on my cedar siding? Same process? Restore-a-deck cleaner and brightner, and then apply the amber stain? Or is the cleaner/brighter not necessary?
Thanks
Yes. You have to prep but how depends on the condition of the wood and if it has a current coating or not.
Hello! I am in need of a maintenance coat after 2yrs on my horizontals. I had previously used your Semi Transparent Natural Oak, and will use it again. Do I need to use a brightener or just the cleaner since it is the same stain?
Use both for the prep. Clean and then brighten.
Hola! I did my cleaning and brightening yesterday. I noticed some fuzzies all over the deck- So we will be sanding it Saturday, 48hrs after the cleaning and brightening. Do I need to clean and brighten after sanding again? Or can I sand, clean the dust, and just stain?
Do not sand finer than 60-80 grit. If you power sand it is suggested to brighten the wood after to help “open” up the wood pores.
Is it ok to restrain my deck with a solid oil-based AC stain over my original semi-transparent job? How should I prep after 2 years since original semi-transparent coat?
AC does not come in a solid color stain. If you want to switch to a semi-solid color, then best to strip and brighten for prep.
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
In order to apply a “maintenance coat” of stain to a 1-year old patio cover, what is needed to clean and prepare the wood for a single coat of the same Armstrong Sierra Redwood Semi-Transparent stain?
Use this kit for prep:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
My Armstrong Clark semi transparent stain Amber water spotted after 3days drying deck was completely sanded and pressure washed before application deck was Completley dry, what can I do?
Please contact the manufacturer directly at: 800-916-8211
The wood conditioner used was Varathane premium wood conditioner for use under any oil based stain.
That is used for interior stains, not exterior. Completley different products are used outside.
I have 3, 20 yr old knotty pine clad garage doors that my painter sanded down to bare wood. He then applied a pre-conditioner and after that he applied one coat of Armstrong-Clark semi transparent Cedar stain. Now the garage doors look very blotchy! What can I do?
You would haave to remove and start over. Never use a pre-conditoner with and exterior penetrating stain like Armstrong Clark,
I didn’t see in the Armstrong-Clark instructions where it said not to use a pre-conditioner…typically that is what is done for pine right?
No exterior penetrating stain suggest using a preconditoner. Does not matter the wood type.
I need to do a maintenance coat of rustic brown semi-transparent stain on only the horizonal surfaces. So I need to use RAD cleaner to prep the deck but do I need the RAD brightener. Will either of these products effect the vertical surfaces? I don’t wait to re-do them.
You should brighten after the cleaner to neutralize. It is possible that splashing onto the verticals may lighten up the old stain so be careful and rinse over spray right away.
we stained our deck 2 years ago and the hubby just powerwashed to prep for a maintenance coat… do we still need to use the RAD cleaner prior to recoat?
Post some pics in the comments of the prep so far.
I’ve got a previous armstrong stain finish and starting to fade in some areas in varying degrees. Do I need to strip and start over?
Clean and brighten while pressure washing will work.
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Which part of the process do i use a pressure washer? Pressure wash the surface to prep for cleaner or do I apply cleaner and or brighter with pressure washer?
Apply the Cleaner with a pump sprayer to a damp deck and then pressure wash off. You cannot apply the prep product through the pressure washer.
I’m using the amber stain on My redwood deck. Would you recommend doing a second coat? Also, I had a couple areas that puddled up a little bit and darkened more than the rest of the deck. Is there a fix to this?
Do not over-apply. It looks good in the pics. You cannot spot fix over applied stain.
Even if I sand down the area where it puddled and ended up darker? I was thinking to sand that section down to lighten it up and reapply some stain, would this work? Thank you for your reply.
It will not blend.
I applied a maintenance coat on my mahogany front porch. One area just will not dry completely. I have wiped off excess stain twice. How do I get rid of the tackiness?
Wipe it down with rags and mineral spirits. Make sure to saturate any oily rags in water when done.
I stained my pressure treated deck last year with one coat of armstrong clark semi transparent natural oak. I want to apply another coat of stain this year. What is the proper way to clean/prep the deck before applying the second coat? Can I use a bleach and water solution like I used for the first coat or do you recommend something else? Also I have a gallon can of stain which I opened last year. Will this can of stain still be good?
Thanks
Opened stain shelf life is 12 months. Make sure it does not have any clumps or skinning. If it does, then it has gone bad.
Use this for prep:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-wood-cleaner
Use only the cleaner? Brightener is not necessary? Will bleach and water work for cleaning instead of restore-a-deck wood cleaner? Whatever cleaning method produces the best staining results is what I will use.
Thanks
Cleaner should be fine as you will have a base coat. Use at 1/2 strength. We do not suggest bleach.