Armstrong Clark Stain Samples
Here is how our sample program works:
- Select colors, add to cart, and pay $10 per sample to cover shipping costs toward your order.
- Money spent on samples can be applied toward the purchase of a 5 Gallon Pail of Stain.
- Maximum discount is $15 per customer/household; instructions for claiming credit are included with samples.
- To claim credit, enter your sample order number in the Comment Area during checkout for a 5-gallon pail order.
- Pick as many colors as you would like by placing a check next to each then click “Add to Cart”. Color swatches at bottom of the page.
- Samples are N/C but we charge $10 each to cover our shipping costs.
- Once you decide to purchase a stain from our site, you can use the money you spent towards the purchase of a 5 Gallon Pail of Stain!
- Maximum $15 discount per customer/household. Instructions on how to get a credit will be included with your samples.
*Sample program cannot be combined with any promotional discount coupons!
How To Claim Sample Credit
- Enter your sample order number into the “Comment Area” during checkout. The sample credit will be issued after the order for the 5-gallon pail is placed. Typically the next business day and will post to your Credit card or Pay Pal account within 3-8 business days.
Available Armstrong Clark Wood Stain Color Samples
Transparent Cedar Tone, Transparent Natural Tone, Transparent Redwood Tone, Amber, Mahogany, Semi-Trans Black Walnut, Semi-Trans Cedar, Semi-Trans Chestnut, Semi-Trans Driftwood Gray, Semi-Trans Natural Oak, Semi-Trans Rustic Brown, Semi-Trans Sierra Redwood, Semi-Solid Espresso, Semi-Solid Mtn. Cedar, Semi-Solid Oxford, Semi-Solid Sequoia, Semi-Solid Woodland Brown
Click here to see the Armstrong Clark Photo Album on real decks.
AC Color Tips: Picking the right color is just as important as picking the right stain brand. Browse the deck stain color guide at DeckStainHelp to see different stain type colors and transparency before you order.
What stain you recommend for doing cypress columns outside to keep the natural tone of cypress, would it be natural tone?
Any color you like will work. Best to test samples first to see how it will look on your wood.
Can amber be used in treated wood? Is it transparent or semi transparent?
Yes, you can use it on regular wood. It is more semi-transparent.
Would I be able to mix the semi-transparent stains (specifically cedar) and your hardwood & softwood stains (specifically Amber)?
Yes, you can mix colors if you would like.
I would like a sample of Semi transparent Rustic Brown and A sample of Semi transparent Sierra
You can order them right on this page.
Need to re-apply stain on redwood deck that have previously used your Sequoia product on (last coat was done about 2-3 years ago. What is the recommended protocol prior to re-staining and thinking about applying a new color. What is the order for sanding and using your stripper and deck cleaner.
If changing colors, use this kit while pressure washing: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
No need to sand.
Your Armstrong-Clark Exterior Clear oil topcoat came highly recommended. I would be applying it over stained, raw, natural wood siding. I did not see this on the sample list provided…is a sample available?
AC does not come in a clear top coat, and AC stains cannot be applied over the top of a stain of a different brand.
Is Mohogany stain transparent, semi transparent or semi solid?
Semi-transparent.
how large are the samples
2-3 ounces.
Hi – I’m trying to match Ipe deck surround with exterior of western cedar hot tub. Was going to go with Amber for the new Ipe and was considering Sequoia for the new Western Cedar. I realize it won’t be an exact match, but this seems like it would give me a more natural look on Ipe and darken up the western cedar with those similar reddish brown tones of the Ipe. Both woods will be 3-4 months old so no cleaner needed? Appreciate your input!
Yes, you have to prep. Tips for new wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
You cannot make cedar look like IPE wood. You cannot use Sequoia (any semi-solid color) on new wood until the new wood has weathered for 12 months. Try the Chestnut color.
What is the estimated surface area that the samples can cover?
A couple of sq. feet.
How many ounces come in the samples?
2-3 ounces.
Would Amber work on newly installed fir on soffits and screened porch ceiling? One or two coats recommended? Does this have the same attributes as the cedar or natural oak semi transparent?
It will work on Fir, but see here about new wood first:
Was there a link or attachment that would give details on how to treat new wood?
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
i have just installed cedar shingles and want to get something on them before rain starts. I’d like a slight darkening as I think it’ll stay fresh looking for longer but do appreciate the cedar tone…what should o go for? does this stuff mix well with dekgard fire retardant?
Any color you like will work, but the semi-transparent colors will last longer than the transparent tone colors. Sorry, but never tested Dekgard fire retardant in the AC stains.
Do you have names of companies in the Dallas, TX area that use your products?
We do not.
I’m considering semi solid oxford brown for better UV and longevity, but would semi transparent black walnut offer similar UV protection considering how dark it is? (also, most of our fence is in the shade)
On vertical wood like a fence, they would last about the same length
I have a dock on the ocean with pressure treated 1 x 6 decking. The material is in very good condition, about 10 years old and recently power washed to remove the weathering and grime. What type of stain do you recommend considering the environment and UV protection I am going to need. Thank you. Paul
Look at any of our semi-transparent or semi-solid colors for this dock.
Our deck has been completely redone last summer. The wood used for the floor is pressure treated American yellow pine. No sealant or stain has been applied since it was built.
The wood color is very pale and natural, and we would like to keep it as natural as possible without darkening it.
In addition to that, we have a closed space under the deck, and the walls are made of Sienna pressure treated wood planks (more reddish color than the floor).
Your oil based sealant product has been recommended to us. Do we need to prepare the surface on deck floor and walls under it, using another product prior to use your sealant? Considering the short and rainy summer we have in Quebec, can it be applied anytime (in direct sunlight) and do we need the wood to be completely dry for several days ? We would like to make sure that it will not peel over the time, considering harsh winters we have here, and that it will be easy to reapply when necessary, without prior treatment.
And where to buy in Quebec?
Thank you.
Use this kit to prep the wood prior to staininig:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Wait 48 hours after rain or prep to stain. No rain for 24 hours after. The AC stains do not peel.
We sell online only.
Thank you very much!
Our deck is 25 years old.
The basement is a sunlight basement, no walkout, so the deck is high up off the ground, but not as high as a walkout basement would be. It faces the North with no protection, in Nebraska’s weather/winters. The deck boards will be torn off and replaced with new wood. New steps and stringers, but the posts and rail boards will be original. We are currently considering replacing the original wood baulsters with aluminum, but we are not sure yet.
The construction will take place in August.
I am concerned with how the stain will look between the new and old wood.
I just noticed on your site, “Stain applied to new wood (less than one year old) will not last as long as older wood (at least one year old). Expect to re-stain new smooth-cut softwood twelve to eighteen months after the initial staining. Stain applied to hardwoods any less than six months after installation may only last 1 to 3 months.” The new wood will be pressure-treated.
With this in mind, do you think I should wait until next year to have the deck stained? So the stain will last longer?
Or would it be worse to have it go through the winter without stain protecting it? I am looking at your semi-transparent amber color.
I appreciate your help!
No matter what, new wood needs to weather for 3 or more months and then be prepped:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Based on your timing, Spring would probably be best. It will be fine through the Winter.
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. 🙂
I have an 8-year-old deck made of pressure-treated wood from HD that is cedar-colored from the mill. Five years ago, I applied Ready Seal to it. The color and durability were good, but a sticky, oily residue remained for years, even if I pressure-washed the deck.What process and product would you recommend? I live in eastern Canada.
Prep with this kit:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
Then you can stain with any color of AC that you like 🙂
Does your product leave oily residue similar to Ready Seal?
No, AC contains drying oils that cures the surface fully, unlike Ready Seal.
Pictures that were not attached before.
I have a 14 year old pressure treated deck. Last year I put deck cleaner and brightener on the deck. Thoroughly pressure washed etc. Was not able to get around to staining. This year I did a good pressure washing and sanding. The wood looks pretty much brand new. Would I be ready to apply Armstrong stain at this point? Looking at semi transparent oil based stain.
Did you power sand all the wood? What grit?
I did it with an orbital walk behind. 36 grit – 60 grit and stopped at 100 grit. Also, does this stain have a temperature minimum and maximum for application?
Clean and brighten for final prep after power sanding. Just one coat of the AC stain. Stain between 55-85 degrees.
Thank you. Is the temperature the same for vertical surfaces (fence) using a Graco Sprayer?
Yes.
Our deck was stained two weeks ago by painters using a a popular commercial product, and the stain is already bubbling and peeling. When peeled, raw wood is exposed on the deck boards, even though it was stained before. The deck was built eight years ago. If the stain is removed down to the bare wood, with no stain showing, do we have to wait to apply your semi-solid stain, as if it were new wood?
How will you be removing it?
We are trying to research the options for removal right now. Stripping then sanding? Should we use stain stripper or paint stripper (since it’s solid stain paint)? Or, should we sand first and then strip the remaining stain? We have one medium size deck and two smaller decks. Any advice on removal would be greatly appreciated. We are interested in using Armstrong Clark’s Semi-solid stain after the current stain is removed.
That is a solid stain. You cannot apply any of the AC products over this. It will have to be fully sanded, or the RAD PaintStrip will be needed to remove it.
Use the PaintStrip first and if needed, sand the rest off.
I’d love some advice on how to restore and maintain a mahogany farmer’s porch using Armstrong Clark products. I just moved into the home, and the porch is about six years old. I’m not sure what treatments (if any) have been applied in the past, but the wood looks weathered and dry. I’d like to bring it back to life while preserving the natural beauty of the mahogany. Any tips on prep, product choice, and ongoing maintenance would be really appreciated!
Clean and brighten for the prep:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Stain with one of the hardwood colors:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/hardwood-and-ipe-stain
Just one coat of the stain.
Hi – We have a new mahogany porch that we replaced a few months ago. I don’t want a ‘stain’ per-say, but a clear sealer. Would this be the one to use?
You must have a “stain” or tint, as a clear sealer will offer zero UV protection from graying. Look at our Amber Tint for this.
Thank you so much for your quick reply. So, the Amber color under Hardwood IPE Colors – not the Mahogany?
Thank you so much for your quick reply. So, the Amber color under Hardwood IPE Colors – not the Mahogany?
Either would work, but the Amber is similar to a wet look, and Mahogany has more red in it.
Perfect! Thank you so much!
How many ounces in the sample?
2-3 ounces.
Is the semi transparent black walnut stain sample the same as the black walnut ipe hardwood stain as far as color goes?
Yes, it is.😀
We are looking for a light to medium brown stain for large rough sawed pine columns on the front porch of our new house. Even the light over the counter stains we have tried turn very dark. Will AC stains maintain their original color or do we need to pretreat the colums?
You have to prep first. Post some pics of the columns for help with this.
The colums are rough sawed douglas fir and the stain comes out very dark. We want the column stain to be a warm brown semi transparent. Is there a product we can spray on the columns before we apply the stain that will allow the actual desired color?
Sorry but no.
is amber semi transparent?
Yes, it is.
I assume all A/C’s are oil based. I need a filler that will accept the semi/solid stain. Durhams doesn’t as it is water based. Any ideas? Thanks
Wood fillers will not work with deck stains. They will not “stain” the filler to blend. Fillers will also fail on exterior wood in cold weather climates. Better to just leave as is and not try to use any.
What works is using a stretchy caulk like Big Stretch, comes in a bunch of colors. Use after staining.
What can I use on pressure treated wood? Transparent, semi-transparent, solid? What would you recommend? Do I need to treat it differently before applying it because it’s pressure treated? I built a new deck and I’m not sure how I should treat my wood. I also live in Canada, which has rough winters.
Any color or transparency that you like will work. Wood types do not matter. See this about new wood. https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
I’m staining our 3 year old MCA treated pine deck for the first time. I’d like to make them look like they did when first purchased. What colour stain would most resemble the colour of brown pressure treated pine?
HI, Color varies widely based on wood type, age of wood, and prep. We cannot know what it will resemble without seeing a picture of what you want it to look like.
I have a pretty old pine deck that I treated with the recommended cleaner and brightener, and the semi-transparent stain in Natural Oak. The wood was so dry, it soaked up quite a large amount of stain. Even though I kept on stirring the stain as I was applying, by the end of the first gallon the stain was thicker and color was demonstrably stronger. By this time I had stained only less than 1/2 the deck. I had to order another two gallons because the coverage was much less than anticipated. Again, I stirred very carefully, but again the stain grew darker as I continued to stain. As a result there was a clear difference in color between the end of the first gallon and the beginning of the second, and again between the end of the second and the beginning of the third. I tried to go back and do a second coat in order to even it all out. The second coat coverage was much better but I was only able to coat 90%. I can’t justify purchasing another gallon after buying 3 costly gallons for a relatively small deck (14′ x 14′). Is there any way of purchasing a smaller amount of stain?
Sorry but no, we do not have smaller sizes.
Sorry but no, we do not have smaller sizes.
What type of sprayer do you recommend?
You will need an airless sprayer for the stain.
How do you order a hardwood/softwood black walnut sample ??
Also – $10 EACH?! $10 a package would be much more reasonable …
Also —— if you start staining and change your mind on color do you have to sand it all off or can you go over it
Choose “Semi-Transparent Black Walnut” in the color options. It is not possible to do $10 a package Shipping alone costs $15-20 per package. Then add in the cost of the materials, containers, etc. In addition, we give back $15 for credit towards a 5-gallon purchase. All in all, we lose money on our sample program.
Yeah I ship every single day . Lol
Can you answer my question about changing color
You would have to remove it if you change your mind on color. Why did you order 2 Rustic Browns and not another color option?
I need to try one on a brand new cedar bench and then one on power poles(old) for a huge swingset but was told that the color may vary greatly between those 2 applications.
Is that not okay? I did pay for what I ordered …..
No issues.
If I have a deck that was originally painted approximately 10 years ago and a new addition added that I am going to pressure wash and restain all the same color should I use a semi-transparent or more solid choice as some of the area is new and the other is old-painted area.
Please post pics so we can offer advice.
Hello,Would your semi solids be a flat stain? Would I be able to go over it after it has cured with a high gloss transparent stain? Thank you
All of our stains are penetrating with no shine. You cannot top coat or use a gloss of any sort for exterior wood as that will lead to peeling.
Our deck is in the sun 8-14 hrs a day (depending on season). Would the cedar last as long as the darker color stains such as rustic brown, chestnut or natural oak?
Transparent Cedar will not last as long as a semi-transparent like Chestnut or Rustic Brown.
I stained my deck 3 days ago with semi transparent Sierra redwood but now I notice some lighter spots. Should I go over it again and do a second coat 1 week later or is that too long you wait?
You can add another coat 1 week later. Make sure that you do not over apply
I’d like to upload some pictures to see what you think but can you remove them after you look at them?
Yes, or you can edit your comment to remove them later.
Here’s a couple pictures of the deck. Please remove them after you take a look, I can’t figure out how to edit or delete my comments. Thank you very much for your input!
We would leave it as is. You can always lightly clean and add another coat next Spring if needed.
Perfect thank you very much
Can I mix different colours of semi transparent stain to obtain a custom color for myself . ( ie mix a driftwood with rustic brown ) I guess what I’m asking if would it affect the application or longevity??
Yes you can do this.
Can I mix 2 semi transparent stains to get a color tone that I want? I want a weathered tan/gray color. Natural oak is too warm and Driftwood is too gray.
Yes!
Great! Samples ordered, I’ll post pics along with mix ratios when finished!
Yes you can.
Hi Josh. I’m a professional painter. One of the things I really like about A and C stains is that you can mix the colors and make your own custom color. I just stained a barn door inside my own home where I have aged flooring. My floor is mostly Grey with hints of black, tan, dark Grey, light Grey. So I wanted my door to have some Grey in the color, but I also wanted it to look sort of tan or light brown. I mixed the Driftwood with the Chestnut color. I put 5 parts driftwood with 2 parts Chestnut. The color came out beautiful!
@James Deis Hoak- looking to repeat the color you used on that door, love it. However, when i apply the same 5:2 combo to a light tone cedar it comes out much much darker. Any other application advice? I can achieve the look if I wipe it off immediately after applying, but that somewhat negates the benefits/tech of this stain for outdoor use.
Does the Sierra Redwood Semi Transparent stain turn brown over time? I am applying it to cedar shingles
It fades over time.
We just had a new board fence installed. the boards are rough cut pine (not treated.) The posts are pressure treated. Someone told me I need to wait a year before applying anything to the boards to allow them to dry out? Is that true? And which product to you recommend to use?
Only smooth wood do you have to wait 3 months and prep, not rough sawn cut.
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Hi! We are using your stain on a project in California that requires we use Chemco’s fire retardant applied to the ‘hem fir’ resawn siding product we are using. Our desired result is something like the color in the attached photos from Surround Architecture. What color/product would you recommend? Espresso?
Yes, Espresso.
What stain would you recommend for these beams that are exposed to 8+ hours of sun daily? I believe it is cypress wood. What will be the closest color match as well? Thank you.
Try Rustic Brown or Black Walnut colors.
What stain would you recommend to use for these beams which receives 8+ hours of sun daily? I believe it is cypress wood.
I just installed a 1300 sq’ deck. High quality con hart but some looks like hart clear with nice veins low knots.
It has dried out somewhat yellowing, only 30 days installed. What is a nice color to stain it? Sampled amber. Will transparent redwood look too dark or semi transparent cedar look better? What is the lifespan of the stain, I’m in California, no snow and temps in 70’s to 60’s.
Thank you.
See here about new wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Any color you like will work and color choices are solely up to the consumer. Since colors vary drastically based on the age of the wood and type of wood, the only way to know how it will look on your wood and what you end up liking is to test the samples.
i have a 6 month old, pressure treated yellow pine deck. Facing south in hot sun.
I want UV protection and a very neutral or clear stain/sealer recommendation. Suggestions?
Use any of the colors that you like. Natural is the lightest. Make sure to use this kit to prep: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
We wanted our cedar deck posts to look natural, so our contractor added a clear sealant (before the posts were installed). Within 2 months the posts had turned nearly white because of the sun (lake house-facing east, Indiana). What can we use now to restore the natural color as best we can and protect this from happening again? Do we need to strip off the old sealant even though there is no beading or sign that the sealer is doing anything? If we need to, how would we strip off the old? You can see the front post is almost white while the ones in the back (in the shade) are what they should look like. We’d like to get back to natural as best we can.
Yes, you have to remove the sealer. What sealer did he use? Please post some pics of the deck.
How long does it take to receive samples in the mail?
Depends on where you live but typically 2-3 days.
Is there a good stainable wood filler that you could recommend?
Thanks,
Sorry but there is not. Wood fillers do not stain or work well with exterior wood stains.
I have a brand new deck (built with a pressure treated wood in last August). What are my options with regards to my deck looking greatest and lasting longer given the harsh Canadian winter?
Clean and prep with this:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Stain with any AC color that you like:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains
I have an older deck that has been stained with an oil based semi-transparent stain (Cutex, Walnut). I have stripped it but haven’t yet brightened it (that’s for tomorrow). It’s really gray. Will the semi-solid cover this “gray” shade effectively or should I look to a solid oil based stain? Also, I’m assuming you ship to Canada? If so, what delivery times should I expect?
Post some pics after applying the brightener and after the wood is dry.
Picture 1 attached
Pic #2
Pic 3
Hi John,
You have some leftover stain still on the wood. It should be removed as much as possible. BTW, if it was the same stain as the railings, it looks like a solid stain, not semi-trans. Where you did remove the stain fully, the wood looks ready to be stained and is not gray.
As for shipping time to Canada, that would depend on where in Canada. Ontario takes 2-4 business days.
The railings are all painted. The stain was not solid. The brighten really worked well by getting rid of the dull gray color. I’m still wondering about the pros & cons of a solid versus semi-solid stain. Thanks for your prompt replies.
The AC Semi-solid will penetrate better and have less chance of peeling.