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.
See my post 05/25/22. Please review 1st. This is Shel. I decided not to go forward with staining until next May’23. Then, I can stain the whole deck at once…This summer I light sanded the deck to remove some residual stain marks and wood imperfections. Now, before staining next May, I presume I should redo the prep RAD cleaner/brightener over the entire deck before staining with my A/C semi-solid. Is this correct? Thank you.
Correct.
We purchased our KDAT red cedar wood the first week of August and stored it in our garage. We finished building the deck floor three weeks. We just finished installing the railing and balusters. Everything has been sanded. We’d like to stain with Armstrong-Clark semi-transparent stain before the Pacific Northwest rains arrive. We have purchased the RAD product. Questions:
1. Can I apply the RAD this week or would it be better to wait a bit longer? We would prefer not to let the deck winter ‘as is’. There is a large oak tree near the deck that will soon be dropping leaves that will create tannin stains. And, with the rain comes mildew.
2. Do I have to also use the cleaner and brightener on the balusters given that it is a vertical surface? Can I just lightly spray RAD on them since it is clean wood.
3. I know that I need to wet down and cover the plants prior to using RAD. Do I also need to protect the house?
4. The deck gets intense sun in the late afternoon. Will the AC semi-transparent natural oak hold its color or do you recommend opting for chestnut brown? (I read that another customer had issues with the natural oak and sun)
1. 1-2 months after installation for KDAT.
2. Yes all wood needs to be prepped. You cannot skip this.
3. No but rinse overspray.
4. Natural Oak and Chestnut will last the stain.
How do you clean up over spray on painted siding?
Try Goof Off but test spot first to make sure it does not harm the paint.
KD cedar sat stacked for several months prior to installing. Does that count toward the 12mo wait to stain or is it 12 months of UV and weather exposure?
It has to be installed and then weathered fully exposed.
in summer 2020 I installed a new red cedar pergola/deck, As far as I can tell I went thru the new deck prep very carefully and 12 months after install I used the clean/brightener and then applies 1 coat of AC semi transparent stain. less than 1 year after applying the stain, the entire area became very black and awful looking. I assumed this was some kind of oxidation and I recently (summer 2022) applied the step 1 cleaner and it 100% removed all the stain, it now looks like it did when it was new, no stain at all. what did I do wrong?
The prep products should only be used when recoating, not for general cleaning.
Sand off the current stain and then use the Mahogany color.
Thank you. Are you referring to the Mahogany color for Hardwoods?
Yes.
We have a Brazilian Mahoney Greenhouse window that needs refinishing/staining. See attached photos. What type of stain do you recommend for this type of wood? Thank you.
Yes, you can use their prep products.
And regarding putting Armstrong Clark semi-trans or transparent on a new cedar deck after a month of weathering…. what do you think? Please see attached deck photos.
No. Has to be 3 or months then prep.
Can I use your stain or which stain would you recommend for a teak outdoor bench? This bench (photo attached) was previously stained with Sikkens Cetol DEK FInish about 12 years ago. Thank you, Gail gmcd52@verizon.net
Fully remove the Sikkens and then you can use of the AC Hardwood colors: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
Thank you for you prompt helpful response. Are there any other color choices for this type of AC Hardwood stains besides Mahogany, Amber and Black Walnut?
There are not. What you have on there currently is close to a Mahogany. Amber would be a little less red.
Thank you again for your prompt response. Can you offer any advice on how to remove the Sikkens? Is sanding the only option or could it be powerwashed?
Use this kit while pressure washing: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
I finished my deck at the end of June. All KDAT lumber. How long should I wait before using the semi solid stains specifically?
Not sure if the 1-3 month rule on KDAT is only for semi-transparent stains as for non-kdat lumber semi solid has a much longer weathering time listed.
Will my wood deteriorate terribly faster if I did let it weather a winter here in Minnesota before staining either way? I plan to keep it clear of snow.
You need 12 months for the semi-solid colors and then this to prep: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Your wood will be fine and snow is not going to harm it.
Hi there,
New cedar fence, 3 weeks old. Can I stain in in a couple of months with semi trans cedar ? Do I need to prep it before ?
thanks
yves
No, you cannot stain it yet. 3 or more months. Please read the article above that explains the wait and prep.
New Kiln Dried PT Pine pool deck been outside for 60 days and in full sun all day installed for 30 days. Seems like it’s absorbing the water well on most places and getting a lot of cracking starting. Can I stain yet ?
1-3 months for KDAT weathering and then clean and brighten for prep with this kit: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
I have KDAT deck boards still to be installed. About half of deck is covered. Should I wait a bit and do a prep after install or can I stain soon after install? I’m planning on using the black walnut semi transparent.
With KDAT wood, wait 1-2 months, prep with the Restore A Deck Kit, then apply one coat of the black walnut.
I have a hardwood (walnut I think) garage door I need to stain, door is 10 years old. Prior owner used a water based stain that’s peeling off. I will strip off the old stain and lightly sand to remove the stain. How do I prep before applying hardwood-type black walnut stain?
Post some pics in the comments for prep help.
Here are pics
You probably cannot strip it fully off. Use this kit while pressure washing: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
With both additives: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper/restore-a-deck-stripper-additives
After it is dry, sand off the rest that cannot be stripped.
Just to be clear, first I use the stripper plus both additives delivered through a pressure washer spray. Next sand off any remaining old stain. Next brightener and then stain?
You apply the stripper with the additives with a pump sprayer and then pressure wash it off after dwell time. You cannot use a pressure washer to apply the stripper.
The rest is correct.
Brightener is applied with pump sprayer too?
Correct.
Hi, guys…..I installed new cedar decking (floor, stairs, and railings) in fall of 2020 on an existing deck and waited until summer of 2021, then cleaned with Restore A Deck and used your stain exactly per your directions. Beautiful! This summer of 2022, tho, I’m not sure how to proceed. The deck boards are now very dark in color (after our Minnesota winter) even after pressure washing. I plan to clean and stain again this summer. Should I use Restore-A-Deck stripper first this time and then brightener, to get all of this dark coloring off? Could some of this still be glazing that I need to work harder to get removed this time? Thanks, and BTW I’m telling others about how happy I am with your products and advice! With gratitude, Sue Powell
That looks like dirt on your deck. Use the Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener kit for prep while pressure washing.
Getting a new redwood deck installed, we get snow likely in October. How long should we wait to stain the deck? Thanks in advance.
Hi,
The above article explains all this. Thanks!
Sending this to email at the manufacturer as we are not sure of the issue.
Our deck is 30 + yrs… Three years ago I used the AC semi solid after Restore A Deck/Brightener. I just finished replacing some boards which needed to go. This deck is all cedar. I have now about 10 % new cedar and 90% old…
I will be using AC semi solid again. I realize that I have to wait a year on the new 10%. I would like the old 90% to be recoated now and next Spring overcoat the whole surface. In using the cleaner/brightener, is there any harm in using it over the new sections and leaving them unstained? Or, should I protect the new wood from getting cleaner/brightener on it at this time?
No issues getting the prep on the new wood.
That’s good. Thank you
My new deck is being installed using Selkirk Brand Western Red Cedar. Can the Armstrong Clark Hardwood Colors Amber or Mahoghany (made for use on IPE) be used on softwood such as cedar?
If so, what success have users had with the product? Or, are the semi-transparent regular stains more preferrable on cedar?
The AC Amber and Mahogany can be used on any wood type.
I purchased a 5 gallon pail of mahogany for my new ipe deck last August (9 months ago) I kept it indoors over the winter so it wouldn’t get too cold. Should it still be good? What should I look for if it isn’t good anymore?
It should be fine to use but make sure to mix well as the pigment can settle.
What should I look for to know if it might be bad? It is still factory sealed
Clumping or skinning.
How long is the wait to stain after it rains
48 hours.
Do you recommend filling any of the major cracks in my 18 year old redwood deck boards?
No, and the filler would not blend with the AC stains, looking very blotchy.
We just installed a pine kdat deck in South Florida. The manufacturer (yellawood) indicates that we do not have to wait to stain and protect. We are planning to lightly sand the deck before treating the wood. We really like the natural color of the wood-so 2 questions:
1) Should we wait to finish the wood and 2) which one of your products would you recommend for a more transparant finish but good protection – this is S. Florida.
They are incorrect. For KDAT, wait 1-2 months to weather and then prep with this kit: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Do not sand. Lighter colors will fade faster than richer colors. Natural is the lightest and will last about 18-24 months. Go to semi-transparent colors for a little longer life.
Hello! We had a cedar deck built last summer (2021). We stained it right away with water based stain–wrong move on our part! We are redoing the deck this year. We have pressure washed it and sanding the entire deck. Do we need to wait 3 to 4 months for the new sanding wood to be exposed? Or can we clean, use brightener and stain right away? Thank you SO much for your guidance!
Sand with grit no finer than 80. We would then clean and brighten and apply one coat of the AC
Thank you-Will the semi solid be enough coverage for all the other imperfections in the wood or do I have to do solid which I know Armstrong doesn’t have
Hard to say as you cannot cover the wood 100% with a semi-solid. The grain still shows through somewhat.
Old porch with semi transparent stain (10 yrs) one new step (recent repair) another step (5 yrs old) Pros want to use a solid stain. Can I use your semi solid stain and do I have to wait because of the one new step? House & porch over 15yrs old
You have to wait for new wood to weather.
Hello. we have a cedar deck that was installed in October 2022. If it ever stops raining we plan to apply its first coat of stain, Armstrong semi-transparent cedar. Other than making sure the deck is clean and dry, is there anything we need to do to prepare it? Is it necessary to apply the restore-a deck, or is it ok to just go ahead and apply the stain directly on the 6-month-old deck?
Yes, you need to follow the directions in the above article.
OK, thanks. I do not see detailed instructions for applying the RAD products, but will I be able to do all of the prep WITHOUT a power washer?
Yes but much easier and more effective to use a pressure washer.
Hello. It’s finally spring and we see a few days in a row that it will NOT rain. Yesterday afternoon we applied the Restore a Deck cleaner and then the brightener. We think we followed the instructions carefully (scrubbing, rinsing). This morning, about 15 hours after finishing, the wood on some boards looks a little whitish and we wonder if perhaps we did not rinse enough, or if it is simply the wood fibers raised up in some spots. Attached is a photo. If it appears to you that some process was not done properly, what is our solution? If it is raised wood fibers, are we safe to go ahead and stain? Thank you!
That is fuzzies that can happen from graying/oxidation removal during the cleaning. They typically do not show when stained but if you want, they are easily buffed off with a floor buffer and buffing pad.
Thank you. You might be surprised to know I do not have a floor buffer…would a very fine sandpaper applied by hand do the trick? Or should we just go for the staining and see what happens?
You can rent a buffer if you want from Home Depot. The pads look like the attached. Much easier and better for the wood than sandpaper. You can also just stain.
We just had our cedar trees milled (rough sawn) a week ago. Are we ok to start staining immediately?
If rough sawn you can do it as long as the wood is clean and dry.
I have a new pressure treated deck that was installed 1 year ago. The deck boards have a whitish grey color from the sun but are otherwise clean. Will the step 1 and brushing remove the mill glaze everywhere or is there some step I am supposed to do before doing step 1 and 2 with the restore a deck products?
Use the Step 1 Cleaner while pressure washing and then the Step 2 Brightener after. You cannot remove the white oxidation by just brushing on the Cleaner
I have fire treated western cedar deck boards, purchased a few months ago from WescoCedar and shipped to us here in Prescott, AZ, altitude ~ 5800 feet with a daily freeze-thaw cycle most of the winter. The fire treated boards will be used as the deck surface for a covered deck. Do we need to stain all sides of the boards or just the top? And would all of the stains, including the “hardwoods and softwoods” stains, be suitable?
Just the exposed wood after weathering and prep. Any color that you like will work.
I have a new deck, 3 months old that gets a lot of sun in Southern California. The deck is made out of brown pressure treated hem fir. After trying semi transparent and semi solid stain samples, I have decided to use the semi solid sequoia stain, my question is how long do I have to wait until I stain. AC website says 12 months for new wood, but this is that brown pressure treated stuff, and I will use the restore a deck cleaner and brightner. Thanks!
You will need to wait 12 months if using the semi-solid colors and then the RAD Cleaner and Brightener.
i have heat-treated generic stud wood i need to stain, but before it is installed. Can i go ahead and prep+brighten immediately or do I have to let all the wood sit out for several months? It is brand new wood just purchased from Home Depot. Thank you!
Best to weather, prep, and stain.
Can this stain be applied with a sprayer?
An airless sprayer. Not a pump sprayer.
I recently finished staining my new redwood fence and followed your prep instructions on the new wood. Now I am installing gates using genuine mahogany is the prep and staining the same as it is for the redwood?
Yes.
I’d like to seal my new front mahogany doors with the IPE stain. Would I need to wait the 3-4 months as suggested for the door?
Yes.
Finished our deck late last Fall 2020 and never stained this spring/summer 2021. Lots of rain lately. Should i attempt to clean & prep with the cleaning agents i purchased from you and stain it next week since it’s gonna already be November…or, should i just wait until next Spring 2022?
Spring.
We live in Alabama, and built a new pressure treated pine deck in July. We have had an unusual amount of rain and we’re wondering if we should wait till spring to stain with semi permanent, or go ahead now.
Wait until Spring.
Can we stain in fall. new pressure treated wood
You have to follow the directions in the article above to weather and prep before you can stain. If you have then you can stain in the Fall.
We are in the process of starting to build a red mahogany deck with new boards. You recommend waiting 3-4 months (or longer) before staining so assume this means you don’t think staining the underneath or sides of the boards is necessary for protecting the wood? This deck will be on joists about 6″ from the ground and in dry climate of Southern California. Thanks.
You only stain the exposed wood. No need to stain the undersides.
Thank you. The wood is kiln-dried, does that make any difference to the waiting time before staining?
Weather 1-2 months then prep and stain.
What temperature does it need be to use your oil based wood stains on a deck? Was hoping to get a coat applied this fall. Thanks.
Not below 50.
What does it mean “rough sawn cut wood”? I just had a cedar fence installed and one side is rough and thready, the other side is smooth. It has not received any treatment but has been in a warehouse for some time and is now exposed to the elements. When should I stain it, and do your products include sealant as well?
It is how it is cut at the mill. Smooth or rough cut. You will have to install, weather, and prep for the smooth side.
Thanks. I am having the rough thready side sanded to a smoother finish. I do not want the cedar to grey or develop mold/mildew in our humid climate. Should I treat that side first and then wait for the smooth side? And how long does it need to “weather”? Isn’t there a risk of it greying and cracking in the meantime? Thanks!
No, do it all at once. Weather and prep as the above article explains. Graying is fine and that will be removed with the prep and cracking of wood will happen no matter if stained or not. It is normal.
Thanks. Just one follow up. Cracking is also caused in part by water penetration, correct?So doesn’t your stain provide water proofing? Thanks!
Cracking happens no matter what and is not from water solely. Cracking in your fence will happen and is not a big deal. The AC stains do offer water repellency.
I have a deck next to concrete pavers and red brick patio. Will the Restore a Deck Cleaner and Brightener affect the colors of the pavers/brick? If so is tarp enough if I have to power wash?
No.
I have Armstrong Clark stain on my deck (put on last year).Can I just clean with soap and water and apply a second coat before winter?In years past I’ve used Restore a Deck cleaner. If I recall correctly, it ended up practically stripping old stain.I just want to add a second coat for extra protection without going through the full 3 step process.
You should do the full prep process when ever reappliing.
Hello, I am planning to stain our deck – pressure treated wood built in April. I was advised to pressure wash and then sand (which I now realize is wrong!). I used 80 and 120 grit. Is the rad cleaner and brightener needed before staining? Also is there a staining pad you’d recommend? Thanks!
Use the RAD cleaner and brightener for prep. One coat of AC stain. Using any high-quality exterior stain pad.
I applied a single coat of semi transparent in August 2020 to kiln dried decking. Your website states “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. “. Do I need to use the RAD prep product before the “light coat” or a light cleaning me apply AC stain over last years stain? I’m using the exact same product.
Use the RAD for prep when reapplying.
Had a rough sawn redwood fence installed 2 months ago (in California) . What prep should we do before staining? Pressure wash? There’s sawdust still on some of the boards. Will semi-transparent even out some of the lighter and darker colors in the wood or magnify these color changes?
Prep with this: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Colors will be enhanced.
So pressure-washing won’t be enough to prep a new fence? How would the cedar semi-transparent look on redwood boards? Would the knots be accentuated/darkened? Really trying to find a uniform but natural looking coating without too much redness in it.
You need the prep products while pressure washing. Knots and final color can either be darker or lighter as it varies on the wood age, type of wood, etc.
One more question. Should we rush to stain the fence (installed end of July) now before the rains come or wait until Spring? Rough-sawn con-common redwood
Fall or Spring is fine.
I bought a sample of the semi-transparent cedar and it was far and away the best looking of the different options we tested (to both my wife/me and our neighbors)!
Preparing to order the stain I need (2 gallons for about 220-250 sq ft) and I was looking at the instructions about RAD cleaner and brightener, but saw the note for new decking that said “rough sawn cut wood can be stained right after as long as the wood is clean and dry”. Just finished my rough faced cedar fence was built a few weeks ago, moisture is down to 15%-16%: I just want to confirm the note about not needing the RAD cleaner also applied to fences? Also, is there benefit to letting the fence dry a little more and getting closer to 12% before staining, or is there no difference as long as I am under 20%?
Thanks in advance!
No need to prep this. You can stain now.
I stripped off semi-solid, sanded, and brightened 10 year old treated pine posts and deck boards using your products. I applied 2 coats AC to verticals and 1 coat to floor. I used 4 parts natural transparent to 1 part oak semi-transparent. I did wet on dry for my 2nd coat on verticals. The verticals did absorb like the directions stated, so I proceeded with a 2nd coat. If, by chance and hoping not, it was over applied and wood gets dirty looking as the brochure states may occur down the road , how is that remedied? Lastly, come spring, should I clean and apply 2nd coat to floor? I chose 1 coat because it was much darker than the verticals. Very happy with your products and help. Thank you.
Looks great! As needed when the stain fades just clean and brighten for prep and recoat. Normally every 2-3 years.
We have new 5/4 Alaskan yellow cedar (kiln dried) that has been in our basement for a few months, milled to be tongue in groove. We are building a deck and have not yet installed. Any tips on staining this? Our plan right now is 80 grit sanding, clean, brighten, dry 48 hours, stain on all sides, install, stain again if needed. We are using AC semi-transparent stain.
It has to be installed, weathered, prepped, and stained on the exposed side only.
So I have 2×6 pressure treated decking . I installed it In June 21 . It appears to be shrinking .it’s starting to lighten up a little and looks to be drying out from the sun . Your saying wait 4 months or longer . I want to wait till this coming spring .April 22 that’s 10 months . Do I still need to sand the new wood at that point to remove mill glaze ? Before I stain it ? Or just the renew a deck product ?
Clean and brighten should work for the prep.