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 am ready to prep my 1 1/2 year old never stain deck. About six boards at the edge of it has been exposed to sun and rain and have now a grey color than the rest of the redwood.
Do not sand but clean and brighten for prep.
Hi,
Yes.
i am installing a porch floor, pressure treated pine. Does your semi solid stain include a wood conditioner or should i treat with a wood conditioner first to prevent blotches?
Hello,
I have new east texas cedar wood fence. Wanting to keep rich color and also light color in wood. I have sampled other stains, but after a few weeks there is a burnt orange look to wood ( do not want that). Any suggestions for wood prep and AC stain/sealer. have attached picture. Thank you.
You cannot maintain the current color as your stain must be tinted for UV protection. All AC Stains are tinted. You could try the Natural as that is the lightest tinted color. Prep and wait are explained in the article above.
want to use a stain -immediately after construction of a Pavilion on my back deck. The stain would be for the interior covered celing. would not be touched after staining-and not be in any sunlight.
No. Need to wait and prep.
i know a lot of these questions are redundant, but here we go…new pine (not pressure-treated) tongue and groove ceiling above the porch in a new build….builder wants to stain it now….looks like we should wait?
Yes, wait and prep as the article explains.
I’ll be using a semi-solid stain on post and beams 8″X12″ over my entryway. Should I wait similarly months, as if it were a deck? It was installed a week ago and I need to also wait for some warmer temps. It’s in the mid to upper 30s for a while…maybe ’til spring (Montana). At what temps can I apply the semi-solid stain? Thank you,
One year is what is suggested when using the semi-solid colors. Above 50 degrees.
What about kiln dried pine? Still wait 3-4 months?
1-2 months if kiln dried and then prep.
I wouldn’t think it is required for kiln dried lumber. I’m not sure how you are going to use this kiln dry lumber but if you think that this is g
Yes, you have to weather and prep kiln-dried wood.
I used pressure treated Yella Wood for deck. On their website it’s says stain Yella Wood as soon as water soaks into wood. Don’t wait months. Just check with water to see if it beads or soaks in. If it soaks in its ready to stain!! Are you ok with this?
No, needs to weather and be prepped.
I have a new Ipe deck that has weathered for 4 months, has been cleaned and brightened with restore a deck and is ready to be stained with Armstrong Clark Mahogany stain. My question is after brushing on the stain do I leave it alone or do I wipe off excess as I proceed?
Leave it alone. You can back wipe if needed any excess the next day.
In July, I installed a new board on board 7′ Japanese cedar privacy fence with cedar cap. After waiting almost 4 months, I would like to stain with RAD ST Cedar Tone or AC ST Cedar. I have already cleaned with 30 second cleaner (before I knew about RAD Cleaner) and power washed to remove mill wax and very light mildew/dirt buildup and think I am ready to stain.
1) Do I need to use RAD Brightener if my color is good?
2) I plan to use a Graco electric airless sprayer with a .013 tip, but need to know if this is the recommended tip size for either the RAD (water based) or AC (oil) stains?
3) Any preferred recommendation on the RAD vs AC for this application?
1. Yes.
2. Yes, that tip would work.
3. Both would work very well.
Hello,
Sorry, you had an issue and are upset but you did not explain that the red was a surface “cosmetic” treatment. All pressure treated chemicals that are added to new wood are internal for rot, termite protection, etc. What you have was just a coating they added on top and you did not explain this.
Staining it will return the color based on the color you choose.
I am just finishing screwing down new cedar pro deck on my 48’x 18″ deck. We live in the PNW. Semi-trans vs trans as far as longevity and life of the wood. Also will the transparent natural require more frequent applications?
Transparent colors have less pigment and will thereofore fade faster than semi-transparent colors.
Hi, Do I need to use the RAD prep on a new Pressure Treated Dough-Fir deck construction, that was installed 6-8 months ago and was out in 80F-105F over 6 – 8 months? I sanded/buffed it with 3M pads and would like to keep the Pressure Treated red coating as much as possible. Can I just stain now with your semi-transparent Sierra Redwood?
You will need the RAD prep.
Thank you for the quick reply. Would the RAD cleaner remove also the essential chemicals/preservatives that protect the Pressure Treated Lumber? Would it change or remove the reddish coating?
It does not remove the chemicals that are deep in the wood.
Is the semi transparent stain color chestnut ok to use on walnut wood
You would want a hardwood color: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
We have a newly installed garapa wood deck. Should we oil it right away?
No, follow directions in the above article.
I have two questions for you as I prepare to stain today.
1) I cleaned/brightened on Tuesday evening. It will be about 38-40 hours between prep and staining. Is that enough time? It was mid 80’s here yesterday.
2) After preparing it my dog got a few muddy paw prints on it (of course). I tried to clean it off with a dry rag but I can still see them. Is there a good way to clean them off on the day of staining? Sanding? Or will the stain cover them?
1. Hard to say. 48 hours is what we suggest.
2. Wipe them off with a wet rag.
Might want to wait until Friday to stain.
Installed new deck floor with Yellowood Pine pressure treated kiln dried Contractor was repairing and cleaning existing painted white railing and pressure washed them using a cleaner not bleach. Now Ive got these light spots all over the deck. Also have a red crayon mark used to measure a wood cut that spread into wood. Will these all clean up once the we do the final prep steps with brightner and pressure washing before staining? They are doing final work next week. Thanks
After weathering the new wood and then prepping with the RAD Kits, it should all be even in color. https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
I just had a new deck installed a couple of months ago and the weather is starting to turn cooler now. We live in St. Louis just to give you some additional info about our climate. Should I wait to to stain it early next spring or try and stain it in the next 2-3 weeks? Thanks
Spring.
What is mill glaze?
A wax that gets on new wood when it is cut at the mill.
Hi, we just had a back stairway built out of redwood and pressure treated posts. I would like to use the Black Walnut Semi-transparent stain. It has been 1.5 months since it was built. Should I wait another 1.5 months before staining? Also, what product should I use to prep?
thank you!
Yes, you have to ait at least 3 months as the above article explains. It also explains how and what to use for prep. Thanks!
Dear AC,
I’ve made a picnic table with bench seats out of wood. I want to use one of your transparent stains. Assuming I follow all the prep instructions, is your stain ok for outdoor wood furniture including seating? Thank you.
Yes as long as you follow the directions for new wood.
Dear AC,
Thank you for the quick reply. I ordered some sample stains.
Does 2 years in the garage count as waiting to adjust for climate. New red Balau deck put together this year after having the wood for 2 years. I’m noticing that the exposed portion is losing the deep color, but the covered portion is staying darker. Any suggestions for when to stain and how to keep the color true to the original red Balau ?
No, it has to be built and exposed to outside elements. Wait the 3+ months and then prep.
Hello. New cedar deck, built and sitting in place about 3 months. Is it ok to now sand with 80 grit, the use your prep kit, wait 2 days then stain? or do I have to wait 3 months after sanding?
If you sand, do not use more than 60-80 grit. Do that first and then clean and brighten. 1 coat of stain 48 hours after prep.
What if leaves fall on the stain while it is drying? We just had new PT KDAT wood installed, and it needs to be stained in the next month or two.
Leaves will not harm it as it is drying.
I have a 20 year old red cedar deck. I had to sand it to remove a prior stain. Do I need to let the deck weather prior to staining?
What grit paper did you sand with?
60 grit
You can stain now after final prep with the cleaner and brightener kit: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
I want to put semi trans Rustic brown on a red pine pressure treated deck. It’s weathered for 2 seasons so super ready for stain. I’m curious I bought samples from you guys and like the look of the rustic brown So I know that’s what I want but not any darker than that! So Iam Worried next season after I brighten and clean the deck Again, followed by the maintenance coat, will the deck get even darker???I don’t want it to get to dark. Will each maintained coat get super darker each time. Or does the brightner and cleaner mellow the color out so you can maintain close to the original color?
It will not get darker as long as you prep correctly first.
Hello, I am about to install new mahogany decking and looking to use the AC Hardwood/IPE Semi-Transparent Stain in Amber. I have 2 questions:
1. Do you have any images of the amber color on mahogany decking? I can get a sample, but a quick image will be fine for my purposes.
2. I live in New England and 3 months from when its set to be installed will be the beginning of December, bringing on the cold weather (too cold to stain). What is your suggestion for the application of the product and longevity of the wood?
Thank you.
1. We do not. Best to get samples for testing.
2. Wait until Spring to prep and stain.
Just stained new cedar deck with AC Semi Transparent Cedar Stain. Some of the stain soaked in within an hour and some areas took longer to soak in. Should I apply a second coat a few days later or wait until spring and give it another coat?
Next Spring.
I installed a new redwood deck a couple of months ago. Coming up on the 3 month mark when I will stain before the rain starts in the Pacific Northwest. With the recent heat, the wood has really dried out, MC down to 2-4% throughout the deck. Had some light cracking in areas from the shrinkage. I was planning on sanding it a little to smoothen out the light cracking/splinters. Would you recommend I still use the Deck Cleaner and brighten, as well as sanding? And if so, do I use the Cleaner/Brighten before or after the sand? Thank you.
Yes, you need the prep products. If you sand, do that first.
We used the semi-transparent cedar on our front cedar porch. We had to replace our entire back deck and used pressure treated wood. When we tested the same stain on it, the color was very light and yellowish. What color would you recommend using on the pressure treated wood to better match the front porch (cedar wood with semi-transparent cedar)?
It is not possible to match new pressure treated wood to older cedar wood. It will stain differently and lighter no matter what.
After staining mahogany porch, is it ok to walk on it in 24 hours? Furniture?
thanks
About 24 hours, just make sure it is dry.
I have a new, micro sienna (pressure treated) wood deck. The wood is very new and green. Are the prep instructions the same as for cedar (let it dry out, deck cleaner, etc)?
Yes, weather and prep as the article above explains.
Hi again. So I’ve been waiting on and off with rain. Today was the day but thunderstorm out of nowhere came through. Can’t win.
issue is now I’m at 15 days since strip/bright. I have covered porch so wet only around edges and a foot in in some spots.
So I wait 3-4 more days (rain dependent) even though I’m over the 2 week frame?
Or because it’s only edges try to dry those areas?
if not brighten again?
Your help is much appreciated … please advise.
This process just keeps getting more difficult. Stripped, brightened, then had to wait 12 days due to weather, time, etc. I put rugs back on deck to protect in meantime.
Now it appears I have stains from rain wherever edge of carpets were, all around.
i scrubbed with bit of water last night and dried it quickly but not all stains are gone.
do I now use soap on these water mark spots and spot clean? Then dry quickly with rag bc I have to stain tomorrow.
Or maybe they won’t even come up when I stain it bc they are so light?
help please I’m going to pull my hair out.
Not sure what will remove that rug stains but yes, you should try to remove them as they will probably show when stained.
Do you recommend only one coat of stain for 4 month aged rough sawn hemlock? Application tips? Thank you.
If rough sawn, you can do two light coats applied wet on wet. Use a stain pad or brush.
Do you still recommend waiting to stain the deck if we use kiln-dried decking?
Yes, but not as long. 1-2 months and prep first with the kit: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
I am building a garden wall using white oak that I planed and shaped to size. 1X6X10 should I also waite the 3-4 months before applying AC Exotic. I live in Canada so after the winter I should prep with AC cleaner and brightner and then apply AC Exotic. How long approx. will AC last on a vertical wall.
Thank You
Yes, wait until Spring to prep and stain with the AC. You should get 2-5 years on a wall.
Have just installed garapa dock. What is best stain to preserve natural color, and can I apply immediately or is there need to let wood dry. It came from South America.
You have to weather and prep as the article explains. Use one of the three hardwood colors for Garapa.
So I get it, you need to let Cedar Season for 3 months before staining, even if it is dry. My concern is my Cedar Deck (floor and steps only) will be completed in mid August, that would take it to mid November. I live in Minnesota and am concerned about leaving the wood untreated over the harsh winter.
It will be fine over one Winter.
Thumbs for your technical advice. Your answers are very prompt and to the point. What is outstanding is that you even answer on the weekends. Kuddos.
I have a solid oak front door that the exterior was painted with a solid color stain probably 20 years ago. The solid color stain is chalking and looks like it will come off fairly easy. I would like to strip off the solid stain and restrain with AC semi rustic brown. What would be the best way to to do this?
Thank you.
You cannot strip off a solid paint or stain fully so best to sand it all off.
I was hoping to strip off as much as possible and finish with sanding. Is there a paint stripper you would recommend for this?
Sorry, but we do not know of any strippers that will remove a paint, even a little.
Thank you!
I’ve installed my deck 2 weeks ago. It’s clear cedar which was planned and stacked over 8 months ago. The wood was covered with a tarp with air circulating at both ends. I was planning to stain it in 4 weeks. Is this ok? Should I prep the wood?
No. You have to weather exposed after install for 3 months or more as the article explains and prep as well.
I’ve read I’m able to stain within 2 weeks of strip/brightening.
in that time (About a 10 days) I expect regular foot traffic on the area.
1- I assume that’s fine to have foot traffic?
2- what do I need to do when ready to stain.. just brush off or clean again? (Hope not!)
1. Yes as long is it not tracking mud/dirt.
2. Depends if dirty or not? If not, just stain or use a leaf blower to remove dust, etc.
I covered lot of it with rugs. I assume I can spot clean a couple of areas with soap if it gets mud where needed then wait a couple days and stain.
please confirm.
thanks
quetion 2: regarding the furriness Of the wood in spots after stripping… can I spot sand those furry boards? Is it necessary? The site says nothing about that nor does directions on RAD cleaner as a warning.
please advise because it’s a let down this happened to the beautiful mahogany without warning. Hopefully it’s nothing.
If a little dirty, then just give all the wood a good pressure wash rinse two days prior to stain. Wood fuzziness does not happen from the cleaner but when you remove the oxidation or dried wood cells. Iy is usually not a big deal but you can lightly hand sand if you want.
My new cedar deck is seasoning as prescribed. Is it ok to attach it in the meantime?
Not sure what you mean?
I would like to screw it down while it is seasoning for the 3 months before staining. Is that a problem?
No issues. The deck/wood needs to be fully installed and then weathered and prepped before staining.
Installing a new all cedar deck. Is it still recommended to wait a few months befor staining or can I clean and brighten the cedar and then stain?
You need to weather and prep. Does not matter the wood type.
I am curious about what the last person said about “fuzz” or “furriness” too after stripping and brightening. What causes that? Is it from brushing too hard or leaving the agents on too long. I’d like to minimize that in the future if possible. Thanks.
It is part of the process of removing the stain from the wood fibers. The harder the strip, the greater chance of this happening. It is not really a big deal anyhow as it does not show typically when stained.
Here’s after strip/brighten
Looks ready to stain from photo.
Hi. I followed protocol exactly for stripping and brightening. There were many tough spots so I stripped several areas twice and then brightened. Some boards are a bit rough ‘fury’ if you will, but I guess that’s just normal. Here’s photos … if I can get confirmation I’m ready for stain.
here’s photos prior to and after process.
Photo after strip n bright
Can I stain New Cedar Deck with Semi Transparent immediately after install if moisture content is low?
No. Please read the article above as it explains what to do.