Armstrong Clark is a penetrating oil based stain that will soak deep into the wood grain offering protection from UV graying and water. The advantages to a penetrating deck stain is that they will not peel but rather fade over the years. The key though is proper prep before applying your AC especially if your wood is new.
New “smooth” wood should not be stained right away with Armstrong Clark. A few things need to happen first:
- The wood should dry out in the climate
- Exposed layers of wood cells should oxidize slightly
- Mill glaze needs to be removed
- Prep after waiting will remove both oxidation and mill glaze
New Decks and Armstrong Clark Stain Tips
The best advice is to not stain your new smooth wood too soon after install but follow these steps:
- Install wood and let sit outside for 3-4 months or more if using a transparent or semi-transparent color. If using a semi-solid color, you should wait 12 months.
- Once the wood has been exposed, use the Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit for prep.
- Let the wood dry for 2 or more days after prep.
- Apply 1 coat of the Armstrong Clark Stain. Do not over apply.
To maintain your new coat of AC you will most likely need to a light coat in 12-24 months to just the floors or horizontals surfaces. In the future, you will need to reapply AC every 2-3 years for most scenarios or as needed based on your particular traffic and weather.
Important Note: Rough Sawn cut wood can be stained right after install as long as the wood is clean and dry.
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 150-300 square feet per gallon for the first coat on new wood. 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.
If you have a question on prepping your need wood or deck, feel free to ask below.
Hi A-C, I am undertaking the renovation of a wrap-around porch with both new and old cedar. See Pics. The old cedar needs to be sanded as part of the renovation. However, I am confused about the correct order of preparation to achieve the best results using A-C semi-transparent Cedar stain. Contractors who have bid on the project recommended the following steps: 1. Wash/Strip wood, 2. Apply Brightener, 3. Pause to let the surface dry for one day, 4. Lightly sand, 5. Apply A-C stain. Is this the correct order, or should sanding be done before brightening? Thanks so much for your advice and great product. The new cedar is Port Orford Cedar.
Sanding does not need to be done as sanding may “close” the pores of the wood grain, reducing stain penetration. If you sand, never sand finer than 60-80 grit, and it is better to do it before the brightening step.
Hi A-C, I have a combo of 25-year old and new cedar on a wrap-around porch. And I am wondering whether I can mix together Cedar Semi-transparent and Mountain Cedar Semi-Solid in order to achieve a look in-between the two products. Is that possible? And will it work? Thank you
Yes, you can mix. The only issue is that when using the semi-solid colors, the new wood has to weather for 1 year.
My contractor recommends using a semi-solid stain. He suggested waiting until June 2025 for the new wood to acclimate before starting the job. What is the reason for “waiting 1 year” before applying semi-solid stains to new cedar (which happens to be Port Orford Cedar and denser than red cedar)?
No wood is not very porous, and the viscosity of the semi-solid colors can create issues when applied to new wood that is not “porous” enough to accept the semi-solid colors fully into the wood grain.
how does one remove mill glaze or tell if it has been removed?
With the Cleaner and Brightener Restore A Deck Kit we sell.
My wife is extremely sensitive stain odors. Is there an odor and does it linger in the air and on the wood?
Yes, AC stains have an odor and will linger untill fuly cured. FYI, all deck stains will have an odor.
Hello, sorry if this has already been answered. How long do I have to wait to stain a new KDAT PT deck? The lumber tag said clear and sami-transparent could be done immediately. Semi-solid should be applied after 3-6 months. I want to use the black walnut stain, do you still recommend waiting 12 months? Is there a water test that could be performed as an indicator to “readiness”?
Thanks!
You cannot stain it right away for KDAT. Wait 1-2 months for KDAT wood and then prep with this kit:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Hi, I’m so glad to find this discussion and your stain. We are just finishing with the install of 33×13 KDAT Clear PT deck. I’ve had the lumber stacked in our pole barn since March. It’s the end of October here in Indiana. I had hopes of getting the stain on yet this season but I’m now I’m wondering? What do you recommend?
You have to install it, then weather it, and then prep it. Wait 1-2 months for KDAT wood and then prep with this kit:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Thank you! What are the temperature restrictions for the stain?
50-90 F.
Is that just during application? What about night time temps?
Hello. Cedar deck about 4 years old. I did Cleaner and brightener but unfortunately I was not able to apply stain, it’s been over a week. Do I need to re-do any of these steps before I stain?
No, just make sure that blow or sweep off any debris.
thank you. Still ok if it turns into 2 weeks?
If longer than 2 weeks do a light cleaning and redo of the brightener.