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.
i have been told to use shark skin on my new cedar deck. Recommended so my armstrong semi stain will work better? Do you know that product? why would this be necessary
No, you cannot do this.
why is my deck sticky after 2 days using 1 coat on new wood
That would depend on many things. How you prepped, did the wood weather, how thick did you apply, etc?
I had that i applied it way too thick. I just left it and it eventually dries off but then some comes off. Oh well. Learned my lesson. Better thin application
Which application is recommended for rough sawn hemlock, roller or a pump sprayer?
Brushes or stain pads. Do not roll and it is too thick to be sprayed with a pump sprayer. You could use an airless sprayer.
Can we sand the new redwood deck with 80 grit instead of using the Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener?
Our scenario would be wait 2 months since installed, power wash, sand and stain? We purchased kiln dried redwood and have done a sample test already and the stain seemed to dry. We want to use semi-transparent natural cedar tone. We live at 3500 feet in the Sierra foothills not too far from Sonora and our deck is in full sun.
No, you need to open up the pores with the Cleaner and Brightener and sanding does the opposite. Just one coat.
OK, we will use the RAD but before we decided to use AC my husband sanded with 120… so we have to sand with 80 right? Before we use the RAD?
Correct. He sanded too fine and the stain will not absorb well.
hi , i need a clear or transparent stain/ sealer for my 1 year old IPE deck (250 sq ft) what do you recommend?
One of these colors for IPE: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
We are having a very wet summer. After a rain how long do we need to wait to apply our stain?
48 hours.
Central Florida resident. Installed new PT southern pine planks 3 months ago. Still too early for semi-solid stain? Or should I stain w/ semi-transparent for now and put semi-solid next time. Remember I live in Florida. 🙂
You need to wait 12 months for new wood to weather if using semi-solid. You can do the other colors now after prep. Just one coat.
followed all instructions for cleaner & brightener then semi-trans natural oak less than 2 weeks after 80-90s temps full sun numerous areas developed sap surfacing and actually crystallizing. No sap surfacing until boards were prepared and stained. I am looking for any explanation/answers on why this happened. Will be replacing boards.
Sap leaching from the wood cannot be prevented or stopped and happens on its own. The stain and or prep products do not cause this to happen. More than likely having a newly prepared and stained surface the sap leached out on its own due to the high temps.
Thanks for your quick response. Is this also happening because of sub-standard pressurized wood? My supplier wants to blame the stain/process.Supplier not willing to replace wood. Is this just a case of no-fault
Thanks.
Really it is just the pine wood in general. Pine is a sappy wood and once in a while, it will leach out on deck boards. No way to predict or prevent. Does not matter the grade of the PTP and it is not the supplier’s fault.
Thanks for your input. Time to just bite the bullet.
Is there a minimum application temperature? If so, how long of a time period is needed above that temperature?
Do not apply below 50 degrees and it cannot drop below that for about 4-8 hours after.
I applied a single coat to my first outdoor piece using Brown Walnut hardwood stain. The wood is a combo of mahogany and eucalyptus. Its been weathered after i stripped whatever Pottery Barn put on it and then i used the cleaner and then brightener as per instructions. After waiting 2 days post rinse off i applied stain using a roller for the big areas and a cheap foam brush for the hard to reach parts.
When the roller or foam brush is loaded i get a heavier coat and some dripping marks – for those areas i went back over with the brush to remove the streaking and where i saw heavy wet puddles. I read on the AC website that for hardwood furniture i should wipe down the stain after 60 mins?
Furniture and sitting surfaces applied with these colors must have the stain wiped off 60 minutes after application.
Can i let this all dry for a day and then use a clean rag to wipe up any remaining wet excess the next day? Or for furniture using this hardwood stain should i be wiping after 60 mins?
Removing excess stain a day later is okay.
Does this apply to fencing as well?
Yes.
Thanks!, How long do I need to wait after sanding before clean & brighten / staining?
You can prep right after the sanding. Stain 48 hours later.
I needed to sand off the old stain from my deck. Stripper was not ok, because the deck is painted underneath, Can a semi-transparent stain be applied directly to the sanded wood? Or do I need to treat it with the water and bleach mix first?
Clean and brighten for the final prep. Not bleach.
Which of your semi-transparent stains offers a “Wet Look” ?
Amber would be closest to a wet look.
I have a cedar roof deck over a membrane roof in the Pacific Northwest which has been untreated for the last 4 years. Two questions:
Parts that get little/no direct sunlight have turned a bit green. Should I pressure wash those before cleaning?
Is there any concern about interactions between the membrane roof and the cleaner or stain?
You have to prep before staining. Use this kit while pressure washing all wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
You should not have an issue with the membrane.
New P/T deck, planning to wait 3-4 mos (or longer) to stain. I think my preference might be semi-solid (wait 1 yr) over semi-trans. Should I go ahead and apply semi-trans in 3-4 mos. to protect the deck and then, if I do decide I want semi-solid, apply that 8-9+ mos. later? I assume I use RAD C&B before each application and assume I can put semi-solid over semi-trans. Either option, 1 coat each? Thanks.
No, just do the semi-solid in 12 months. You cannot apply the semi-solid over the semi-transparent. Just one coat.
Okay. Just to be clear, though (forget my proposed timeline above) … are you saying if someone stains semi-trans they can’t change their mind down the road and apply semi-solid? I assumed you’d be able to so long as the deck was prepped with RAD. I’m not talking right away, but after some (how much?) time passes. Thanks.
You can change but you will need to strip it off for proper penetration.
Follow-up question … At one point, trying to maintain my old deck, I ended up using a solid, water-based stain that caused a crapload of peeling problems. I thought that was because it was water-based. I want to avoid peeling, preferring the stain to wear/fade. So, an oil-based semi-solid will also be prone to peeling rather than wear/fade you get from semi-trans? Thanks.
Im putting in a new deck and have a few questions. I live in Austin, TX.
1. How long should I wait until staining? I here 60 days or even longer (listed above and mentioned in other areas), but its already in the mid to upper 90s here so is weather factored into the equation. Waiting 3-4 months seems like a long time before staining especially in the Texas Heat.
2. With a new deck do I need to use the Restore a Deck cleaner and Brightener?
3. What is best way to sample? If I need to wait awhile I’m assuming that has an impact on how the stain will look when its applied and I shouldn’t sample now. If so do I wait until I’m about to stain entire deck and should I use the restore and brightener before putting sample stain on or does that not matter?
1. 3-4 months is correct.
2. Yes.
3. Wait until weathered and prepped to sample a spot. It will be more true to color.
Hi! We just finished our deck in South Georgia. Our deck is pressured treated pine and is in full sun all day. It’s been 90 degrees almost everyday. How long do we need to wait before can we stain it?
Just as the article states above.
-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.
Hello,
I have a cedar fence that is 2-3 years old. It has never been stained or painted. I was planning to clean, brighten, and stain with a semi-solid or hardwood stain. I am trying to get as close to a black as possible. (I’m looking for the darkest color with the least red) . I want to hide most of the grain but not all. Is the espresso semi-solid the best one to use? Is there a hardwood stain color I should also consider?
Also, as far as maintenance, the website states a light coat of stain may be required in a few years. Will I need to prep with cleaning and brightening or can I just lightly re-stain in the future?
lastly, part of the fence has been sanded to remove some splattered paint. Is there any concern about the sanded areas not blending? Should I try to roughen those areas if they are too smooth?
thank you!
Yes, use the Espresso. You always have to prep when reapplying. If you sanded then yes, the stain can be lighter in color there.
Hello. I am refinishing my redwood/cedar outdoor deck. I live in Wyoming where the elevation is 5,200′. The deck was finished with a solid dark brown stain. I sanded everything down to just the bare wood. Do I need to treat this as a “new wood” and wait 2-3 months from when I sanded it, then use brightener and stain?
Or should I brighten it now and stain it?
How many coats of stain?
Thank you!
Treat like new wood. Clean and bright for prep after waiting a few months. 1 coat.
Installing new pressure treated pine deck in next week or so and will be covering half of it with a pavilion. Will the two areas age noticeably different while waiting for stain due to separate sun exposure?
It will be fine after weathering and prepping it.
So only I coat is needed with your product?
On new wood, yes.
Yes. Color will be different on the pine compared to the Mahogany.
I installed a new redwood deck in the fall and let it set over the winter. I’m planning on using the cleaner/brightener. Do I also need to sand or power wash prior to stain?
No need to sand. You pressure wash while doing the prep.
When I apply the cleaner brightener with power washer at the lowest setting, allow to set. Then rinse with straight water for 30 min using what setting? I have 4 spray tips, the yellow one states fir decks at 2300 psi or white delicate at 2100 psi. Also, if I’m using the sprayer at the lowest setting to apply the cleaner and brightener….do I also need to scrub the deck with a bristle brush?
You pressure was off the cleaner not just rinse. Most use the white or green tips. You do not apply the prep products with the pressure washer but a pump sprayer.
Now I’m really confused. Above it states to pressure wash while doing the prep for the new deck. I apply it with a pump sprayer? Let that set? wash off the cleanser for 30 min with power washer. Then brightener also with pump sprayer? And wash that brightener with water for 30 min with power washer.
You pressure wash off the cleaner until you are fully done with the cleaning. There is not a time frame on that step. The rest is correct. All instructions are very clear on the containers of prep.
I’m installing a pine pressure-treated(yellow wood) deck. Will this work on this type of decking. Never used this before used the old green type.
After wait and prep, yes.
Hi! Just finished installing kiln dried cedar. The uprights and cross beams on the pergola are all raw kiln dried cedar. Decking is incence cedar and 1 stair is western red. We plan on using restore a deck cleaner and brightener for the decking, but do we need to use that on the raw stuff too? And how long should we wait? We live in Firestone Colorado.
Thank you in advance!
For kiln dried, wait about 1-2 months and then clean and brighten all for prep. Just one coat.
Hello, I just installed a kiln dried Doug Fir deck do I need to let that age a little before staining? Also I have a upper deck that my support beams are grey and molding. I have painted in the past but the rain just beats it up. Can I clean with restore a deck and then stain?
Yes, age as the article explains. You can clean and stain the undersides if you want.
Hi – I am refinishing an outdoor furniture set that is a combo of mahogany and eucalyptus woods. I am sanding down to the bare wood to remove prior finish and stain. Do I have to treat this as “new wood” and let it weather for a few months?
It would help if you let is sit for a month or two and then clean and brighten for final prep.
The instructions refer to “let it sit outside” without any protection. Just to confirm – this approach means leaving the bare wood exposed to rain and sun to weather it correct? Also, is there a recommended sanding grit you recommend i go up to? I was thinking 180….
Yes, let it sit bare. 60-80 grit paper. Not higher.
Great – last question…for mahogany and eucalyptus outdoor furniture including tables in full sun do i need the ipe/hardwood product or is the regular stain product in semi-solid a better choice for more consistent color between the 2 different woods and protection as well?
A semi-solid will not work for hardwoods. You need one of the hardwood colors. https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
I installed a treated pine deck near Philadelphia last fall and now ready to stain. There are a number of open knots. Should I use wood filler before staining, and if so would a semi-solid cover the touch-ups? Or is it better to leave them open. My concern is more rot than splinters.
No, do not use wood filler. It will not work and will not blend with the stain. Just leave them as is.
Thank you. Should I use semi-transparent or semi-solid over the open knots?
It does not matter. Whatever you like.
The deck is less than a year old, is semi-solid an option? The data sheet warns against it.
Sorry, only semi-solid if the wood is older than 1 year.
Attention Rod H.
I just finished installing a new cumaru deck a couple of weeks ago. Part of the deck will host a hot tub that will be delivered soon. You recommend waiting 3-4 months before finishing. Should I have the hot tub installed, wait the 3-4 month period and ignore the fact that I can’t stain under the tub? Or is there some way I can prep the deck early and finish the whole thing now before the hot tub is delivered?
No need to stain under the deck so just do it all later.
So I am installing a cedar deck tomorrow and I live in Az. Right now it’s about 95-100 degrees and will get hotter. Does the fact that I live in a desert climate shorten the initial step of letting the wood dry and settle before adding stain to it?
No, you still have to wait and prep.
My deck was built with pine pressure-treated wood last June (2019). I am now ready seeing a bunch of splits and cracks in the wood that I did not see for the first few months and I am ready to stain. What kind of stain and sealant is recommended for new wood? Is your stain a sealer as well or do I have to purchase that separately? I had a contractor stop by to give an estimate and tell me the other day I need to use solid stain because the wood has now dried out, but after researching, I am seeing different advice and don’t know what to do. It is a huge expense for us to pay to have this done so I don’t want to have to pay so much every 12-18 months to have the deck restained. I believe this was the other reason the contractor recommended we use solid stain. What do you recommend?
Splits and cracks are normal for exterior wood decks and are not a concern or issue. The AC stains work well for all decks. Any color that you like. Just prep and stain as the article above explains.
So after prepping and staining with AC semitransparent the first time it says to do a light coat in 12-24 months. Before u apply this second “maintenance coat”, do you prep again with RAD cleaner and brightener?
Yes, correct.
Hi,
Installed new Cedar deck 2 years ago. After a year we did the restore a deck and Brightener. Than applied Armstrong semi transparent cedar tone stain. Deck looked great for a couple months. We live near Interstate and I believe the deck gets a lot of dust. The dust turns the deck dark. I’m thinking the stain is oily and the dust adheres to the stain. What recommendations can you make for future cleaning, maintenance and restaining.
For prep, use this: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
Try a slightly darker color like the Natural Oak.
if you put it on too thick it did that with my deck. I just slopped it on and it came out like that because alot was penetrating but also alot was drying on the surface. I dont mind the colour myself but try putting it on thinner next time – see if that helps
Hello, I have new cedar siding that needs to be stained, do I have to use the deck cleaner and brightener for siding, or can I just apply the semi-transparent stain directly?
You have to weather and prep with the cleaner and brightener as the article explains.
I am using kiln dried wood for decking. does this change any instruction for prep/time to weather before staining?
Thank you
Same steps for prep and application but you do not have to weather as long. 1-2 months should be sufficient.
Is this product suitable for a marine environment? I have mahogany seats on a dinghy. They were treated with Epiphanes but I have stripped all off to bare wood.
AC is not suggested for seating areas.
I live in New Hampshire and am installing a new enclosed unconditioned porch (about 300 sf) with mahogany decking and fir posts. Installation is happening in January, so there will be snow outdoors and we could track that along with some mud onto the deck in the first few months. I’d like to protect/ seal the decking and fir posts and am looking for recommendations for products and timing. Is transparent or semi-transparent better? Any recommendations for mahogany? Should I seal the wood before installation to protect the underside (it’s an enclosed deck with roof and window/ screens along the outside, but “exposed” underneath”) or wait for it to “oxidize”?
Wait until Spring. Clean and brighten for prep with the Restore A Deck Kits. Stain with one of the 2 hardwood colors: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
You cannot prestain it.
I live in a dry mountain climate and installed my deck just before winter started. How long after installation of Tigerwood decking before I should stain. Also my wife likes the natural color so should I just use a clear coat?
As the article above mentions. let the wood weather for 3-4 months and then prep. AC does not come in Clear as a clear (no tint) will not prove any UV protection from graying. It must be tinted for UV protection and that means the color will be enhanced based on the color you choose. https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
Could I get a reply to my question please?
I installed a new PT deck 2 years ago. Prepped with bleach/water/dish soap mixture per AC institutions last Wednesday Stained with chestnut semi transparent stain on Friday. We unexpectedly received .25” light rain about 8 hours after staining. Color appears washed out now. Can I put another coat on now without any additional prep?
Yes.
What happens if I use RAD cleaner and brighter on 2-3 month old cedar and then stain it with AC semi transparent natural oak?
It may or may not fully soak in if it has not weathered correctly. It has a lot to do with how much UV exposure.
I’m installing mohagany deck railing top board hand rail is 5/4 x6. What is the best stain to use
I’m looking for the deep burgundy / Merlot look
will a clear stain bring out that color???
mid not what stain will I do not want to use a solid stain. Thx
You need one of the hardwood colors: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
Amber or Mahogany.
I am building a grill cart for a Weber kettle grill out of new wood red cedar. The cart is 36 inches high, 56 inches long and 34 inches deep. Did I read correctly that I don’t need to sand the cedar boards before staining it? Would you recommend any other initial preparation for staining? Do I need more than a gallon for this project? Thank you for your help!
Hello,
The new wood needs to season for 3-4 months and be cleaned and brightened for the prep. This is explained in the above article. One gallon is enough.
I have a new screened porch with tongue and groove pine (more like a sun room with moulding down to the floor). It will be impossible to clean and brighten the boards because there is no way to properly rinse the boards. Can I sand the boards and apply the stain without cleaning and brightening. We have an attached deck that I can properly prepare, but will they look different?
Sanding does not properly prep new wood. Most just rinse the water through the door.
I’m sorry, but I don’t understand your answer. Sanding does more what?
Typo. Sanding does not properly prep new wood.
What happens if we are unable to remove all of the cleaner and brightener?
Rinse as well as you can and you should be fine.
Also, how long can you go between prep and stain if the weather isn’t cooperating before you have to prep again?
About 2 weeks.
Also, how long can you go after prep if the weather doesn’t cooperate before needing to prep again?
New deck (Treated Pine). Coming up on the 4 month mark and need to stain before the weather gets too shifty. If I stain with the AC transparent cedar this season, can I “darken” portions of it with a different AC stain hue (looking at the semi-transparent the sierra redwood) without stripping next season and just doing prep and brighten? Going for a two-tone look.
Yes, you should be able to do that.
I recently stained my pergola with semi-transparent stain but got some on the patio stones below. Any recommendation on how to get it out of the stone? Thanks!
Try a graffiti remover cleaner from the local paint store.