Armstrong stain offers a wide variety of color choices in an oil based semi-transparent penetrating formula. It should be noted that with any brand of wood stain, colors cannot be guaranteed. Colors and tones can vary depending on the wood type, the age of the wood, the condition of the wood, wood prep, and stain application.

Armstrong stain colors currently include Natural Tone, Cedar Tone, Redwood Tone, Cedar Semi, Sierra Redwood, Rustic Brown, Mountain Cedar, Sequoia, Woodland Brown, Oxford Brown, Mahogany, Amber, and Driftwood Gray.

Armstrong Clark Stain Color Help

As a general rule, the lighter the color, the more transparency it will have. This means that more of the wood’s natural grains will show through, which can have an influence on the final appearance. Darker colors will reflect more of the actual stain color but will still allow some of the wood grain to show through because it is a semi-transparent finish.

It is also worth mentioning that the darker the color the more resistant it is to UV fading. Darker colors have more pigment, which is what resists harmful UV rays. Lighter colors, will still provide adequate sun protection but not as much as the darker stain tones.

To be exactly sure how a certain Armstrong color will look on your wood surface, you can order a color sample. Apply the Armstrong color sample in an inconspicuous spot. Allow the stain to dry for several days to see the finished result. Order as many Armstrong color help samples as you would like. It is a good way to find the right color for your wood surface. There is nothing worse than staining a whole wood structure only to decide you do not care for the color.

With so many factors determining how a particular Armstrong color will look in its final appearance, it is wise to use the color help samples to find the tone you like. You should only need the Armstrong color help initially. Once the deck is stained you can keep it maintained with the same color unless you decide to change colors at some point.

Armstrong Clark Stain Colors Horizontal small

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  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Doug Halley · 09/17/2018
    I am staining redwood house siding. My choices of stain are Sierra Redwood and Natural Tone. Do both stains have comparable UV resistance?
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      Armstrong · 09/17/2018
      Sierra Redwood would have twice the UV resistance as the Natural Tone.
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    Alison · 09/09/2018
    How do I clean my ipe dock in between the staining treatments? Do I use dawn detergent and warm water with a mop and how often? My dock is surrounded be mud and black dirt. Thank you
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      Armstrong · 09/10/2018
      Yes, that is correct. Do as needed.
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    Alison Hines · 09/08/2018
    I am having a new dock constructed using ipe decking boards. When should I stain my new ipe boards with AC to prevent graying? Many sites recommend applying ipe oil immediately after installation? Do the Armstrong stains need to sit on deck for length of time and excess wiped off? Can other colors be used on ipe besides Amber, mahogany and black walnut (Are these colors semi-transparent)? Do you recommend a joist tape be applied to joists and framing prior to deck board installation?
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      Armstrong · 09/09/2018
      You cannot stain IPE right away. The wood needs to weather 3-6 months and then prepped. Do not back wipe the AC. Only the 3 colors are IPE colors.
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    roici · 08/17/2018
    Hi, Can you mix semi-transparent and IPE stains? I would like to mix Chestnut with Black Walnut. Thanks!
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    Susan Endres · 08/10/2018
    I like the Oxford Brown Semi-Solid Stain, but my husband thinks it's too dark. What color could we use to lighten it up, maybe about 25%? Also could you suggest the ratio of that product to the Brown achieve this result? Thanks!
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      Armstrong · 08/11/2018
      It would not be possible to lighten up the Oxford brown by 25%. Sorry.
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    Mike Bussell · 08/03/2018
    Can this product be used on pressure Treated decking (AWW)?
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    Teresa in NJ · 07/21/2018
    I just finished sanding my deck. The stain previously used (past 20 years) was Cabot's semi-solid mission brown. I applied the cabot stain before Cabot changed the formula of its semi solid stain to make it water soluable for easier clean up. What is your recommendation to match, as close as possible, the Mission Brown stain? Thank you.
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      Armstrong · 07/22/2018
      Before using the AC you will need to remove (if you have not already) any remnants of previous coatings of a different brand. Strip off what you can with this: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper

      Sand if needed anything that the stripper will not remove.

      Once removed fully, try the Rustic Brown or Oxford Brown
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    Teresa in NJ · 07/21/2018
    Have sanded my deck. the stain previously used (past 20 years) is Cabot's semi-solid mission brown. What is your recommendation for semi-sold color.
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    Ed in NoVA · 06/05/2018
    New barn with rough sawn eastern pine siding. Doors will be A-C driftwood (left), wife likes the color on right for everything else. The color on the right is from another company. What A-C color do you think would be closest to match?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Armstrong · 06/05/2018
      There is not a color in the AC that would be close to what is on the right. Possibly a mixture of Driftwood and the Natural Oak, but not sure of the ratios.
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    Scott · 06/04/2018
    Do you have any problems shipping to Canada and how much does it cost for let's say a restore kit and ten gallons of stain?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Armstrong · 06/04/2018
      We ship to Canada all the time without issues. As for cost, add products to cart and enter your shipping address for total price. It updates automatically.
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    Scott · 06/02/2018
    I have a fifteen year old pressure treated wood deck that I do clean with a pressure hose to get the black Mold off of and a newer connecting deck that treated with a competitor two years ago and it is virtually gone. I was hoping that the Sierra redwood would bring the older deck and newer pressure treated woods to look new again. Am I on the right track?
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    Laurie · 06/02/2018
    best stain for cedar deck. have cedar tone now interested in changing colors.
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    mike · 05/26/2018
    I restored a redwood deck and put Natural transparent on it. Looks great with nice deep reddish brown to it. ABout to build a timber frame pergola on that deck but it will be lodgepole pine. Which of your colors do you think would match the redwood best? Customer wants that deep red-brown color.
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    Todd · 04/10/2018
    I am going to stain a new dock. One leg of the dock may be a foot under water (fresh water) once or twice a year on average for a day or two. Should I stain the bottom of the boards as well to help seal it?
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    MaryBeth · 03/27/2018
    Can you mix semi-solid and semi-transparent stains to get a particular color?
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    Martha Bristol · 03/21/2018
    I just received the Oxford Brown sample and tried it this morning. I am using it on old but cleaned pressure treated pine, and it has too much red in it for me, almost a shade of burgandy which is pretty but not what I need to match my tan/taupe colors. My roof has shades of brown which look nice and I wanted to match colors if possible, but I hate to keep ordering samples. I am looking at the natural oak, rustic brown, and the black walnut, of these 3 which stains are brown without any red or yellow tint to them, or do you suggest a different one?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Armstrong · 03/21/2018
      Rustic Brown and Black Walnut are browns with no red undertones.
      • We will reply to your comment shortly
        Martha Bristol · 06/05/2018
        Thank you for your help, I went with the Black Walnut, and with just one application on this very old deck (over 20 years) I am thrilled with the way it looks. It was easy to apply, looks great, repels water nicely, and should last another 20 years. I am really happy with the results. Thank you AC.
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          loti · 10/01/2018
          Sorry, one more question. Why is all the knots in the wood white vs getting darker with the stain? Did you sand them that way, or did the stain turn the knots in wood white? Ive heard of people putting something on knots to cover them, thought mayby thats it? Looks great though.
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          lori smith · 09/30/2018
          Are you sure it was black walnut and not natural oak? black walnut is very dark. Im trying to order without getting samples and this pic just really messed me up. If it is black walnut, that means shades are way off if going by the samples online. Thanks. Reply back if able, appreciate it.
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    Kate H. · 02/06/2018
    Hi! I would love suggestions for how to refurbish our deck. It was last stained in 2015 by the prior homeowners with Sherwin William's Superdeck Solid color Flat in Almond Tree. I do not know what was on the deck before that or what prep was done prior to applying the current stain. We are in Atlanta and so have issues with constant tree debris as well as moisture (see the green algae on the deck). I would like a different color but would prefer not to have to start over with a brand new deck. Many of the balusters on the railing have been hollowed out by carpenter bees so those will have to be replaced. Our deck overlooks our pool and the woods behind our house. We would prefer a less beigey color and lean towards browns.
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      Armstrong · 03/21/2018
      Hello, the AC stains will not work for you. You will need a solid color stain and the AC products do not come in solid color stains.
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      Armstrong · 02/06/2018
      Hello,

      Unfortunately, the AC stains cannot be applied over your current coating (solid stain). You would need to remove the old solid stain fully by sanding it off. Strippers will not remove it. If you decide to remove by sanding, make sure 100% is removed. Once down to the bare wood, you can use the AC in Rustic Brown or Chestnut for a brown color.
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    Sean · 01/16/2018
    Our garage door was stained with olympic maximum semi transparent stain in canyon brown;
    the stain provides a fair protection and the color is quite dark brown. I'd like to sand over the door and apply Armstrong Clark semi solid stain to give a longer interval between re-stain. what color would you recommend that would look similar to what is already there? The wood is rough saw cedar and for 3 doors, how much stain is needed?
    thanks,
    Sean, Houston
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Armstrong · 01/17/2018
      To use the AC you will need to remove the Olympic first. Best to use the Restore A Deck Stripper Kit for this. If you want to lightly sand, you can after the stripping is completed. As for the AC color, look at the Oxford Brown semi-solid. What is the sq. footage for all the doors so we can suggest the amount needed?
      • We will reply to your comment shortly
        Sean · 01/17/2018
        Thanks,
        There are 3 doors and each is 64 square foot. how often does it need to be re-stained if i opt for semi solid ?
        Aside semi solid color, can you tell me what stain was used for the fence on the left most of the banner?
        • We will reply to your comment shortly
          Armstrong · 01/17/2018
          1-2 Gallons will work. Clean and reapply every 4-6 years for these doors. The picture is Rustic Brown semi-transparent color. It will also last about 4-6 years for your doors.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    christine · 10/15/2017
    HI, can you tell me what is the color stain of the lower right photo next to the center photo please? also, what kind of wood? Thanks!!
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Armstrong · 10/16/2017
      Cedar Semi on aged PTP wood.
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        christine · 10/16/2017
        Ok does it look darker than center because of the wood used? I love it! Thanks!
        • We will reply to your comment shortly
          Armstrong · 10/16/2017
          Yes. Final colors vary based on wood type, age of the wood, and application.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    chris · 10/15/2017
    hi, what is the color of the deck to the bottom right next to the center photo? Thanks!!
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    Armstrong · 09/14/2017
    Russ Bateson:
    Do you have a semi-solid white?

    No we do not.
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    Russ Bateson · 09/14/2017
    Do you have a semi-solid white?
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    Armstrong · 09/06/2017
    Connie carter:
    Would like to get a sample of driftwood how can I do that. Live in Washington state Everett area.
    Thank you
    Connie

    https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Connie carter · 09/05/2017
    Would like to get a sample of driftwood how can I do that. Live in Washington state Everett area.
    Thank you
    Connie
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Armstrong · 08/30/2017
    Pat Tobias:
    Can I get a sample of Driftwood stain semi transparent. Thank, Pat

    On this link: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Pat Tobias · 08/30/2017
    Can I get a sample of Driftwood stain semi transparent. Thank, Pat
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Armstrong · 08/28/2017
    Lydia:
    Please send a sample of the Driftwood Stain. Our deck is 24x24 and we originally applied a Woodsman product that peeled only a few months after it was applied. We've since removed the handrails and sanded the entire deck surface only to begin again. I have done some research on Armstrong-Clark products and I am convinced this product is suited for our application. I would like to see a sample please. Thank you.

    You can order samples on this link:
    https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Lydia · 08/28/2017
    Please send a sample of the Driftwood Stain. Our deck is 24x24 and we originally applied a Woodsman product that peeled only a few months after it was applied. We've since removed the handrails and sanded the entire deck surface only to begin again. I have done some research on Armstrong-Clark products and I am convinced this product is suited for our application. I would like to see a sample please. Thank you.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Armstrong · 08/27/2017
    paul peterson:
    I used cabots semi-solid stain on a test board and after it dried you could mar the surface by rubbing a piece of wood on it or remove most of it by rubbing it a few times with SCOTCH BRITE. After 1 coat and 24 hr. drying the surface feels dry or "thirsty" like the stain needed more oil binder in it. I read that your stain is top quality and I am trying to get some to try out. Will it have the faults that cabots has?

    Armstrong is a penetrating stain that when prepped and applied correctly, does not film on top of the wood where you could scratch it off.
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    Armstrong · 08/27/2017
    Jennie:
    Can I mix semi transparent and semi solid stain?

    Yes you can do this.