The Armstrong Clark Stain Photo Album

Armstrong Clark Wood Stains comes in 16 different color choices. Armstrong Clark penetrates into the wood grain while "enhancing" the natural color tones of your wood. 

Very Important: We do not guarantee final colors due to age and species of the wood, and how wood is prepared, affects the final color of an applied stain. Please use an Armstrong Clark Sample can to test for color and absorption on your wood before beginning application.

Final Armstrong Clark color will vary based on:

  • Type of Wood
  • Age of Wood
  • Prepping of Wood
  • Application method

 Armstrong Clark Stain Photo Gallery

There are over 100 pictures of all Armstrong Clark stain colors. Descriptions of stain colors are below each picture.

Colors are listed in same order as Color Chart.

Armstrong Clark Stain Colors Horizontal small

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If you have used the Armstrong Clark Stains, we would love to see your photos!

Please add them in the comment area below

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    ChuckfromTacoma · 04/21/2021
    We couldn't be happier or more pleased - Armstrong-Clark Chestnut on new cedar fence - only cleaned with garden hose and brush......next up - a couple decks still drying out s bit - we bought mill glaze remover and will now use sharkskin cleaner and brightener next month......The fence drank up the semi transparent oil based stain - I had to order more - there was 170 feet of fence and needed to do both sides.......great product - highly recommend....
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      Aliren1 · 09/19/2021
      How much did you have to get total for your fence?
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    Chris · 09/11/2021
    We are going to install a new mahogany front porch. Should I allow it to weather first or stain directly? Also, should I first apply a weather sealer before staining?
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    Steve McNiel · 09/08/2021
    Hello....New rough cut cedar fence built last week. How long do I need to wait before staining. This is light cedar not western red cedar.
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      Armstrong · 09/09/2021
      You can stain it right away since it is rough sawn cut.
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    Mark Glen · 07/25/2021
    Hello.  Last summer I prepped (used both Restore-A-Deck products) and then stained our cedar deck with semi-transparent cedar tone.  I'm very happy with the results (picture attached), but I have two questions: 1) If I want to use the Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Mountain Cedar next year, do I need to strip the deck, or can I just clean it with the water-bleach-soap solution mentioned elsewhere and then apply this over the old semi-transparent stain? 2) If I wanted to use the Black Walnut Semi-Transparent Stain, could I theoretically apply this over the semi-transparent cedar tone after cleaning with the water-bleach-soap solution (and after testing for what it would look like)?  Thank you! 
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      Armstrong · 07/25/2021
      1. Strip and then brighten for best results.
      2. You should strip as well.
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    Barb and David · 07/10/2021
    I’m sure this has been answered, but I cannot find the answer. We live north of Toronto in Ontario. Our PT deck is 6 years old and has been stained twice with a C2 acrylic stain in Tupelo Honey (yellowish brown), that has not held up either time and is grossly over priced for the quality. Do we have to strip the existing stain off the deck as it’s already worn off in many areas and is really hard to do as their are uprights and a pergola to do as well,  or which of your products do you recommend before we sand and stain again?TIA,Barb
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      Armstrong · 07/11/2021
      Yes, you would have to fully remove the current stain before using the AC stains. Once it is removed, you can use any of the AC colors that you like.
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    Ann · 07/01/2021
    I bought some used acacia wood deck tiles that are about three years old. They had a semi-solid type stain on them that was worn off in some areas. I've cleaned and thoroughly sanded them. I live in Santa Barbara, CA, and my deck area is will be in part sun and part shade.  Is there any other prep that I need to do? Should I use one of the semi-transparent colors on them or one of the hardwood/IPE colors? 
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    gertrud · 07/01/2021
    is " black walnut" a Semi- Transparent color and can it be used on 2 year old pressure treated wood? Thank you.
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    Jim Cesario painting · 06/29/2021
    So I'm trying to match superdeck color valley. What do think is closest or a mix that could be closer. Thanks 
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      Armstrong · 06/29/2021
      We are not very familiar with their colors. Maybe Cedar Semi-transparent would be closest.
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    Chris N · 06/13/2021
    Hello, Last year I stripped, sanded and stained my deck with Rustic brown. I believe the deck is douglas fir. What do you suggest for annual maintenance? I live in the Pacific Northwest and so the decks took a beating over the winter. Seems to me a light cleaning and an additional coat in the same color makes sense,right?
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      Armstrong · 06/14/2021
      Use the RAD Cleaner kits and then apply one light coat of the Rustic Brown.
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    Kathy · 06/12/2021
    I have an IPE wood deck and used Timber Ox Green stain - color Russet. This stain is no longer available. What does Armstrong Clark make that is comparable ?
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      Armstrong · 06/14/2021
      Remove the current stain first and then try the AC in Mahogany color.
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    Molly · 06/11/2021
    Do you have any pics of semi-transparent chestnut on redwood?
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    Kevin · 06/07/2021
    I stripped multiple film layers of what appeared to be Sikkens DEK coatings (or similar acrylic/alkyd/urethane) that were put on by the previous owner of a 15 year old cedar deck. There are some spots that didn't come off 100% and I plan to sand those down with an orbital sander. Some boards have rotted and I will replace them.

    Would you recommend AC for my deck if I can fully remove the prior stains? I've seen your comments not to use AC if you currently have a solid stain. Does that advice apply to all decks with film finishes?
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      Armstrong · 06/07/2021
      You do have to remove the old stain before using the AC. Post a picture when you are done with the prep and we will let you know if the prep is good to stain.
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    Amy · 06/06/2021
    I just posted this question but Incorrect year - it’s April 2021 it was installed!  
    I had a redwood fence installed in April 2019 in Northern California (non-pressure treated redwood). How long do you recommend I wait before staining? Also, I would like to find a a semi-transparent stain that is a pure brown tint with as little as possible redness coming thru - what color would you recommend? And the longer I wait to stain does that reduce the redness?
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      Armstrong · 06/07/2021
      Since it is rough sawn you can stain it now. Look at Rustic Brown color or Black Walnut. You cannot reduce the redness of which is in your wood type. 
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        Amy · 06/07/2021
        Ok thank you - is there any stain color that will look less “red”? Or is one option not staining at all 
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    Amy · 06/06/2021
    I had a redwood fence installed in April 2019 in Northern California (non-pressure treated redwood).  How long do you recommend I wait before staining?  Also, I would like to find a a semi-transparent stain that is a pure brown tint with as little as possible redness coming thru - what color would you recommend?  And the longer I wait to stain does that reduce the redness?
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    Jen · 06/03/2021
    Our deck is approximately 16 years old and overall in fairly good shape.  We have sanded the floor and have one board that needs to be replaced.  Because the deck receives several hours of hot afternoon sun, I am considering the semi-solid AC stain however it states not to be used on "new" deck.  If I am replacing only one board with a new board, do I need to stain everything except that one board for the first year?  
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      Armstrong · 06/03/2021
      Yes, as it will not take into the new wood and have curing issues.
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    CC · 05/19/2021
    how long can I wait to stain after prepping with cleaner and brightener
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      Armstrong · 05/19/2021
      48 hours after prep. Stain within 2 weeks.
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    Bernice Harvey · 05/18/2021
    Hi,     I’m about to power wash and stain a new deck that’s about 1year and3 months old.  Can you give me some guidance on your driftwood color?   Is it a black gray or blue gray?   And, do you offer a sample palette so customers could try your colors before making a final decision?Thank youBernice Harveyberniceharvey@gmail.com
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    CC · 05/18/2021
    what is the difference between armstrong clark cedar tone and TWP 1501
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      Armstrong · 05/18/2021
      Completely different brands. You would have to ask TWP about their stains.
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    Amanda · 05/18/2021
    We need to redo our new deck due to a bad job. The ceiling is blotchy and not right, the natural color (not your product) came out a bright yellow. We are not sure what happened- completed by a professional, not us. Anyway, your product comes highly recommended, but can you recommend the process for using it. Do we have entire deck and ceiling sanded down and test your colors? Do we need to do anything else beyond sanding? Our floor is actually composite, so it is railing and ceiling and posts. Since rough posts and beam can't be sanded can we do anything about those (maybe apply another color over to make more brown?) It looks like you may have a sample kit? 
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      Armstrong · 05/18/2021
      Hello,
      You will need to fully remove the Cabot first. Sand and or strip as needed. Once removed, make sure to clean and brighten the wood. If this wood is new, you will need to let all wood weather for 3 months before cleaning and brightening the wood. We sell samples, not sample kits.
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        Amanda · 05/18/2021
        Thanks- is planing wood okay too? 
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    Sean · 05/17/2021
    Redoing cedar deck about 10 years old re-stained about 3.5 years ago. Need cleaner/re-vitalizer whatever is recommended.   Also, not sure if i should be buying transparent stain or solid, attached are pictures would like the darkest without any hints of red. Please look at the railing for color reference it was a little wet when I took the pics. 
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      Armstrong · 05/17/2021
      Hello,
      You have a solid stain on there now. This cannot be stripped off and the AC stains cannot be used over this as they do not come in solid colors. 
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    DPM · 05/13/2021
    Full sun southern exposure, Alexandria Va, 1 yr old pressure treated pine deck that needs its first treatment. I love how our deck has oxidized to a beautiful soft gray. Would the natural tone allow the wood to oxidize, but still protect it, and approximately how often would we need to reapply?  We are also considering the driftwood color, ordered a sample and hoping it is not too blue. 
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      Armstrong · 05/13/2021
      Natural Tone is tinted and AC does not come in a Clear. You can use the Driftwood Gray.
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    Dave · 05/09/2021
    I have a new cedar tongue and groove fence put up around my house. One side is smooth the other side is more rough. Looking for a stain, interested in either transparent cedar tone or semitransparent cedar.Does the semi last longer than the transparent or are do they last roughly the same time? I have cedar shake on the front of my house that has something similar to redwood stain and want a different stain for my fence. Which stain would you recommend out of those two? I'm looking for something that would brighten the wood up, almost like what it looks like when the wood is wet with more natural tones. I guess that would be the transparent cedar tone?? Just worried about the lifespan and ease of re application. 
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    Denise Zitzmann · 04/14/2021
    I have been told by your AC staff that according to the photos of my deck I should use a stripper and the gel and booster.  Can this be applied with a pump sprayer?   Also wanted to know if I need to protect my powder coated aluminum rails and trex posts from these chemicals as well as my siding, and plants around the deck.  Will rubber boots work to protect our feet or do we need special boots for chemicals.  Please advise.  Just waiting on my samples to decide which color stain I will use.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Armstrong · 04/14/2021
      Yes, you can spray it with a quality pump sprayer. Any boots will work. Trex should not be harmed. Test spot the aluminum to see if a reaction occurs. Cover plants to be safe.
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    Cristian · 04/14/2021
    I'm looking to stain an outside deck.
    Mahogany will be our pick. 
    Is that going to work?
    Thank you 
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    Terry · 04/11/2021
    Built a new home and a new 30 x 10 deck out of treated material deck is exposed to all the elements in Northeast Alabama which stain is recommended?I have used Armstrong stain in the pass on a 20 year old deck with great results. 
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    David Kubiak · 04/09/2021
    I was going to clean an A-C stained deck with a product that is 5% sodium hypochloride mixed half and half with water. It claims to be safe for stained decks, but in another answer you warned against anything containing bleach. Can you comment further? Thanks.
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      Armstrong · 04/09/2021
      It will damage the stain, and you will need to reapply. It is also not the best way to prep for reapplying.
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        Justin · 08/22/2021
        Can you comment on the best way to clean an AC stained deck? I have your transparent stain on a cedar deck and after just a couple months, it is appearing very dark with what looks like dirt. 
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          Armstrong · 08/23/2021
          That looks like dirt on the deck. Try warm water with a little bit of dish soap.
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    Denise Zitzmann · 04/09/2021
    I have a pool that is surrounded by a cedar deck.  Will the armstrong semi solid stain be slippery with the penetrating oils when wet with water?  Also will it hold up with the chlorine and water it will be exposed to during the summer.  I live in NE. Ohio.  Thank you.
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      Armstrong · 04/09/2021
      It is not slippery, but deck stains will be damaged from chlorine water. The chlorine will bleach or lighten the color over time.
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        Denise · 04/09/2021
        Thank you.  Will the semi solid be hotter on your bare feet than the semi transparent?  I am looking at the semi solid for a more uniform look and the sample that is closest to the current color a brown with a bit of red in it.  Woodland Brown or Mountain Cedar.  I believe that the contractor who did it last used either Sikkens or Super Deck semi solid stain.
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          Armstrong · 04/09/2021
          Darker colors tend to be hotter, not having more pigment.
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    Jenny · 04/07/2021
    We stripped, sanded and stained our deck with Semi-transparent Rustic Brown last year in April 2020. I have attached pictures of what it looked like last summer about a month after staining and how it looks now. The horizontals on the railing and benches both got two coats last year while the floor received one. We still love it, but as you can see, there are some signs of wear on the flooring areas.

    I wanted to know how to best proceed to fix the worn areas. What steps do you suggest? Do I need to do all of the flooring area or can I just fix the worn spots? Thank you!
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Armstrong · 04/07/2021
      Best to prep with the RAD Cleaner/Brightener kit and apply one coat to all floors: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
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        Jenny · 04/07/2021
        Thank you. We have some Behr wood cleaner/brightener on hand. Will that work or is RAD preferred?

        Will I need to plan to do this process yearly with the cleaner/brightener and a top off coat?


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          Armstrong · 04/07/2021
          RAD kit is preferred. Possibly but that depends on the use and weathering.
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    Allison · 04/04/2021
    Can you mix the AC Amber and Mahogany stains together? All of the photos in the gallery show Amber being much darker than the swatch photo. We have the mahogany now but want to go a little less red. Thank you!
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    Dick · 03/29/2021
    Do you have a photo of driftwood gray applied to a deck?
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      Armstrong · 03/30/2021
      There are a couple in the above photos.