Choosing Armstrong Clark Oil Based Wood Stains will ensure lasting beauty and protection for all your exterior wood surfaces. Backed by five generations of experience in oil-based coatings and cutting edge technology, Armstrong Clark Wood Stains will not only meet your wood protection needs but far exceed them.
Determine the square footage area of the surface you plan to stain. On decks be sure not only to measure the floor but also railings, spindles, steps and all areas that you are planning to stain. Armstrong-Clark Deck and Siding Stains will cover approximately 150-200 sq. ft. per gallon depending on age and wood porosity.
The Armstrong Clark Staining Instructions
Armstrong Clark Deck and Siding Stains come in many different colors and tones. Keep in mind that the actual color results can vary depending on the type, age, condition, and porosity of the wood. Color samples are available if needed.
Prior to using any of the Armstrong Clark Wood Stains it is important to prepare the wood surface properly so the stain will perform as expected. See the RAD Wood Cleaner or Stain Stripper products for properly cleaning the wood surface prior to staining.
Allow the wood surface to dry 1-2 days after it has been cleaned and prepped. Be sure no rain is expected on the day of staining and for 3-4 hours after application so the stain can cure properly.
To apply Armstrong Clark Deck Stain you can use a roller, brush, stain pad, or airless sprayer. Mix the stain thoroughly prior to use. Unlike other stains, Armstrong Deck Stain can be applied in direct sunlight and on hot days. If the first application of stain penetrates within 30 minutes another coat can be applied for added protection.
If applying by sprayer, use a roller or brush to go over the sprayed areas for a more even appearance. After 24 hours use a dry rag to remove any remaining puddles or glossy areas.
Armstrong Clark Wood Stain is environmentally friendly and does not contain an offensive odor. It is easy to apply and very user-friendly. Enhancing the appearance of your deck and giving it lasting protection is the best investment you can make and Armstrong Clark Oil Based Wood Stains makes it easy.
Questions on Staining? Ask Below!
I stained my deck yesterday in Mahagony and wood(mahogany) looks dry. I walked on it and my feet turned slightly orange and very slightly oily. wanted to do a second coat to even color. Please advise.
You cannot. Only one coat for Mahogany wood. It is too dense to accept another coat.
I will be staining my deck soon with AC semi-solid stain. I’m confused about whether to use a roller, staining brush, or stain pad to apply it. I have a combination of new and old wood on my deck. New wood is pine. Not sure but I think that the old wood is pine as well.
I have read that the stain pads can come off or tear so I’m wondering if I should go with one of the other options?
No roller. Use a stain pad or brush: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/brushes-pads-sprayers
How long should I let the first coat dry before adding a second coat. I’m using your semi-solid stain. Very happy so far!
See tips here: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/armstrong-clark-staining-instructions
Ive read those instructions. So, I assume I can do a second coat anytime after the first coat is dry? Next week?
Yes but be careful of applying too much. More is not always better when it comes to deck stains.
Thanks! Our deck is looking great but we want a second coat.
Wondering if we can apply the stain if our nighttime temps are in the mid to high 40’s and daytime temps are 60-70’s? Trying to find a non rainy window of opportunity here in Oregon. Thank you.
Yes, you can.
So I read that this can be applied in hot sun and any temperature. Since I live in Phoenix does that still apply? Not sure if I can get to my staining project (a very weathered previously stained pergola roof) before summer and wonder if I would be better off waiting until the fall in that case.
Yes, it is fine for AZ.
Two years ago I used the semi-solid mountain cedar on my deck railings and semi-transparent cedar on the deck flooring. I would like to treat the deck flooring again this year, but with the semi-solid, as we prefer the darker color. I have about half a gallon of the semi-transparent left over from two years ago. Can I mix that with a couple of gallons of the semi-solid to avoid throwing it away?
The shelf life of an opened container is 12 months so most likely it is not good anymore.
Thanks for your reply.
hi – how long would you guess it takes to dry one coat of the transparent stain in about 50 degree temperatures? and how can i tell when its dry enough to install (thin redwood siding for a shed)
You should not pre-stain new smooth wood. It has to weather and be prepped: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
thanks. I already stained one side, uh oh. at this point, am i better off to stain the other side, or install the stained side to face inside-facing of the shed, and let the outside-facing side of the siding weather. this is quite thin tongue and groove redwood.
It is not best to test all sides, only the exposed wood is needed. It actually can hinder the wood to stain all sides as it will not allow the wood to breathe.
I have redwood siding with 3 coats of Sikens Cetol. What prep-work should I do to stain with your product?
It has to come all off. Post pics for advice.
Thanks for the quick response. Please provide suggestions on options to remove the Sikens.
Post pics of your siding for advice on this.
What is the lowest temperature that your stain can be applied on vertical wood siding? And what is the lowest overnight allowable temperature while drying?
50s for applying. Cannot drop below 40s at night.
Deck has been prepped and has dried for around 40hrs. Temperatures running between low 50s and upper 60s under mostly cloudy skies. Rain is expected around 12hrs after I finish staining. Am I good to go or should I wait?
You should be fine.
I know that I’ve seen the answer to this question before, but I can’t find it in the thread.
70% chance of rain tomorrow beginning at 5:00 a.m. But, today is ideal conditions for staining. Is it okay to stain today if I quit by 3:00? Or, is that too risky?
It should be fine but depends on the temps and how much sun you have after finishing.
I’m sad that this cedar table top that I made and stained was water marks on it. The water was able to penetrate the cover that I had on it. Is it possible to restore the original look? I imagine I’d have to clean and re-stain again?
You would have to sand off the coating and the water stains fully.
Thanks. Would RAD cleaner and brightener also work?
No.
Can your solid base stain be applied over semi transparent stain?
As long as it is clean and the old stain is not peeling.
stained our new redwood pergola boards before installation. Pergola has been up 2 months in dry weather (90-100 degrees some days. After light rain our concrete pavers under pergola are badly stained. Any tips on stain removal from pavers and how to keep this from happening next time it rains.
Sounds like you did not follow new wood directions: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
You will need to strip it off and brighen the wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
Let it weather properly, clean and brighten after, and then apply one coat of the AC Stains.
Try a graffiti remover for cleaning the pavers.
I’ve been using your stain for years w/o a problem. Kiln dried redwood, sanded w/80 grit to clean, stained with paint pad and wiped dry immediately. Let sit 2-3 days before install. Wood is dry to the touch and rag is clean and stain free when wood is wiped. Tried to attach a picture from iphone but site would not accept it.
You did not weather and prep as directed. Does not matter if kiln dried, still has to weather and be prepped correctly. Also, you cannot back-wipe AC stains right away as that remove the curing oils before they have a chance to separate and dry. This leaves your stain “upside down” with only the non-drying oils and this is why it ran off.
What do you suggest I do now? Light pressure wash to remove oils?
Hi. Our first response answered this. Thanks
Night time temps are beginning to dip below 50 degrees, with day time temps in the 70s. Once the morning dew has dried and we get a satisfactory reading from the moisture meter, is it still okay to apply the semi-transparent stain (assuming all prep work is complete): We’re hoping to get a protective coating on the new deck before winter.
Yes.
It appears I may exceed the two weeks by a day or two because of rain. Is that a deal breaker and if so do I need to re-apply both cleaner and brightener?
You are most likley fine to stain as long as clean and dry.
hello- our contractor just finished staining our mahogany deck with AC amber and it looks flat/blotchy. any suggestions? Do we need a 2nd coat?
It may not be able to take another coat. It is not supposed to have a shine.
not worried about a shine- bit it looks like it was never done. the contractor said he’s guys ‘brush stained and wiped’ and perhaps it did not soak in enpough. He is willing to redo it- but does it need to be sanded or power washed before he re-does it or should he first just try a 2nd coat?
Clean it first and then apply a coating.
To clean it, should I sand or power wash? Then use brightener, then restrain and let it soak in for 24 hours before wiping?? Thanks So much.
Light pressure wash, not need for brightener.
I just used ac amber as well I brushed it on and left it then came back the next day,24 hours later, and wiped the whole deck down and it turned out great. I’m guessing your contractor didn’t do it correctly wiping it off right away, this stain needs time to soak in and penetrate the wood before wiping any excess off.
Our deck project was to take a neglected deck that either had a brown solid stain or paint on it and restore it and switch to a semi-transparent stain. We sanded the deck to remove the old stain/paint, replaced the rotten boards with reclaimed wood from the third tier of the deck we tore down, replaced the rotten handrails with new wooden posts/handrails and metal balusters, let the new wood age, then prepped all wood using Restore-A-Deck (RAD) Stain Stripper followed by RAD Wood Brightener following product instructions. Once the wood was dry for 2 days (confirmed wood moisture was at or below 10% using a moisture meter) we applied a single coat of Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Cedar deck stain to the walking surfaces using a stain applicator pad (double coat on the handrails and posts). We are thrilled with the results, but for anyone out there wondering if I would switch from a solid stain/paint to semi-transparent ever again the answer is a resounding no due to how labor intensive the prep was! If only it were as easy as the RAD prep system and staining were…
Hi,
Might want to enter our contest with your comments and pics: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/articles/190-armstrong-clark-2022-contest-win-cash
I want to stain the posts & rails on my new deck a BLACK color before i install the stainless steel cables through the posts. I currently have a brown semi-trransparent stain on the deck boards. What is the best product to use?
See this about new wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
The darkest color we have is Black Walnut.
Can I think the semi solid with linseed oil or paint thinner for spraying
No.
Just stained deck yesterday with Semi transparent and random rain hit for 5 min. Stain had set for about 2 hrs. Some white spotting occured this am. Suggestions?
Send some pics after the rain fully dries off.
I have just installed a new deck using #1 dry pressure treated pine. Do I need to sand this prior to staining?
No, do not sand. See here about new wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Do I need to wait 24 hrs after washing if I live in a dry climate, use a moister meter and get a reading of 10-12 percent?
48 hours after prep to let the wood dry.
Is your amber color (listed under ‘hardwoods and softwoods’ in your brochure) a semi-transparent stain? We’re looking to stain our new western red cedar deck with it.
Yes, it is.
I have a gallon of Redwood Tone stain that is four years old but has never been opened. Can I use it to restain a deck that was was originally stained with Redwood Tone? Thanks
Shelf life is 3 years if unopened so it may have gone bad. Open it and mix thoroughly. If no clumping, gelling, or skinning, then it should be okay to use.
What Graco X5 tip should I use for semi-transparent stain?
Any fan tip should work with an airless sprayer.
I prepped my deck 4 days ago and it has just dried out after rain. Today is going to be 95 degrees with a late afternoon storm predicted and then 2 more solid days of rain. With the needed drying time it will be a full week before I have another chance. Should I take the chance to stain today in the extreme heat and only 4-5 hours of drying time or wait another week?
Wait.
I stained my deck and it could have used a second coat, but had just enough stain to do one. Had to order another gallon. Weather was not conducive to apply the second coat and it’s been two weeks. Can I still apply the second coat? Just brush off the debris and apply, I hope.
Lightly wash with water, let dry for 48 hours, and then apply a light coat of the stain.
also when can I put 2nd coat on
Apply second coat wet on wet.
i want to stain deck today but they are saying possible rain next day is it ok to stain today
Yes.
I used the semi solid Armstrong clark stain 3 years ago.. it now is time to reapply. What is the process to prep the wood to reapply the same stain ? Do I just used RAD clean & brighten prior to reapply ? I hope I dont need to strip the old paint
Yes, that is correct. Clean and brighten while pressure washing.
How long after installing a deck made from pressure-treated lumber is it safe to stain?
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Finished prepping cedar deck on Monday night and two days of dry weather since. Based on the 1-2 day instructions I am good to go after work once the direct sun is minimized…correct??
Also after staining how long should I wait to put furniture back on deck? 24 hours?
Been using your products for a few years (3rd application of your semi-trans) after a disaster with Arborcoat stain. Love your products!!
You can stain now. Put furniture back once fully dry. 24 hours is normal.
Ok thanks! Forgot to ask one other question.
I have some “fuzzies” on the stair of deck as I used a light pressure washer there. I feel I should sand them off quickly. What grit sand paper should I use?
60-80 grit.
thanks again!
How long after after prepping (Restore-a-deck, doing my annual deck work) is it ok to wait for IPE staining (we’re in the midst of more rain than expected). That is, if it rains for a week, then is bone dry for 2 days, can you still use the IPE/hardwood stain (mahogany) or do you have to re-prep with Restore-a-deck?
You do not have to prep again unless it has been longer than 2 weeks.
THANK YOU!
Used the semi-transparent redwood stain on a new bench build. It has been 48 hours and I can still wipe pigment off the bench. I don’t want pigment on clothes, will it stop shedding pigment or do I need to seal it?
Did you let the new wood weather and prep it after?
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
You cannot apply a sealer over the AC Stains.
I did not let it weather. Any suggestions?
If it does not cure and dry in a week then you will need to remove and start over.
How long new redwood should wait to be treated? Of what importance is the “water passing the beated look.?
Thanks …. Jim
Hi,
See the article we sent prior: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
This goes for all wood types.
Then, the “water beating” means nothing?
Thanks …. Jim
No, you cannot skip the steps outlined in the article by using a water beading test.
FYI … The condition of the wood is excellent, very smoth and clean.
Jim
No, see here for tips: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Our new redwood deck is one month old. We live in hot (90) Sacramento CA. Spilling water on the wood has stopped beading up. Is it now ok to stain the wood with AC semi-transparency stain with no beginning prep ,cleaning with chemicals?)
My deck is under a tree that I need to strip, brighten and stain. With the infestation of tent caterpillars, my deck is getting covered in their excrement. Will this hinder my staining project? Should I hold off until infestation is under control?
It would not hurt to wait until they stop. Should only be a few weeks.
Thank you!
Can I seal the stain with an oil base polyurethane? If so how long should I wait until I can seal it?
No. Never top coat or use a poly on exterior wood. It will ruin your wood.
I was planning on using it on an interior application?
It still will not work.
I have got semi-transparent stain and about to stain after prep. Can I use a car wash brush to stain the deck floor? or a roller followed by hand brush instead?
Car wash brush will work.
My neighbor has pine trees that drop needles on my deck often. Are they going to get stuck to my deck or cause marks when I stain? Should I stand guard with a leaf blower while it cures? If so for how long?
Needles will not stick to the deck while the stain is drying. Just blow them off after the stain dries.
I had a contractor stain my deck and he apparently did not read the instructions on the top of the can to stir well before use. As a result the last part of the deck is several shades darker than the rest. What is the best way to remediate this? Will it help auto apply another coat?
Thanks,
Bob
Adding more will probably not fix it. You will need to remove and start over to fix it properly.
I have just ordered the semi transparent stain for use on rough sawn cedar fence panels (20 years old). It was just power washed and I plan on using a brightener then the stain. I’m thinking to apply the stain with a roller and back brush. I’m not sure if I’m doing it right, never done this before. I can use specific instructions to purchase, best rollers and brushes etc. + Any information provided can be useful to a newbie for best results. I’ve washed a ton of videos, most are on decks and now I’m confused. I just hope I ordered the right stain and I feel like I’m forgetting something – When I’m finish my fence (practicing) the plan next is to do my angelim pedra deck. Really wishing I can get at least a couple of days when it’s not raining and no heat dome, like last year. Thanks very much.
Stain pads and floor brushes are better than rollers. See this article for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-stain-application-brushes-and-pads/
Good link, helped me make a decision. I guess I should try one of each – My confusion was from the fact that most information seemed to be applicable to horizontal decks of railings and I’m trying to do vertical on a really rough sawn cedar surface, sprayer sounded good to get into the uneven surfaces but messy and easily possible to use too much, pad is totally flat, same is a roller to a degree – I was trying to save a bit of time and effort but now I guess stain brush is on top of the list. Thanks much.
Finished staining on the 26th- semi transparent Amber. Luckily rain started about 4 hours later. The rain has pretty much been non-stop since then. Today, the sun came out and we are noticing these spots on our deck- looks like stain didn’t soak in or was affected by the rain. Should we do spot touch ups or just apply another coat?
That looks like sap leaching around your knots. It is not from the rain. You can try touching up to fix it.
We added redwood to our office building and the contractor stained. It’s been about 13-15 months and I the contractor said I should add another coat. It looks good but want to preserve the wood. How should we prep the wood prior to staining?
What stain brand was used prior?
Armstrong Clark rustic brown
Use this kit and light pressure washing: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Finished staining yesterday at 8pm. Ended up raining shortly after midnight intermittently. Forecast is more rain. Would it make sense to do another coat once rain stops and wood dries out?
It’s the semi transparent amber
It should be fine with one coat.
After applying first coat a second coat can be applied after 20 minutes wet on wet correct? You have said don’t over apply, what does that mean? How much is to muck? How long after do I need to wipe? Or do I need to wipe at all can I just leave it alone? Thank you Jeff
Only apply as much as the wood can fully take the stain to soak in. You cannot over-apply to the point it cannot fully penetrate as then it could lead to drying issues. Basically more is not better. If you back wipe, do so after an hour or two.
how long should I wait before wiping after application of AC semi-transparent stain on ipe?
60 minutes or longer.
I cleaned and used the restore I purchased for AC. I stained the deck with the cedar stain. Do I need to apply two coats or is one sufficient ?
That depends on how old and dried out the wood is? You do not want to over-apply.