Armstrong Clark Stain Color Help

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, age of the wood, 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.

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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    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?
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      Armstrong · 03/21/2018
      Rustic Brown and Black Walnut are browns with no red undertones.
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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
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      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?
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        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?
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          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.
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    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!!
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      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!
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          Armstrong · 10/16/2017
          Yes. Final colors vary based on wood type, age of the wood, and application.
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    Pat Tobias · 08/30/2017
    Can I get a sample of Driftwood stain semi transparent. Thank, Pat
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    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
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    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.
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    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.
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    Jennie · 08/26/2017
    Can I mix semi transparent and semi solid stain?
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    paul peterson · 08/26/2017
    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?
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    Armstrong · 08/08/2017
    Tim T:
    I need to stain redwood to look like ipe that is just sealed with penofin, not stained so mulitcolored boards. medium tone ipe would work.

    Remove the Penofin first if on the redwood with this:
    https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper

    Try the Chestnut color.
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    Tim T · 08/07/2017
    I need to stain redwood to look like ipe that is just sealed with penofin, not stained so mulitcolored boards. medium tone ipe would work.
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    Armstrong · 07/30/2017
    Tari stordahl:
    Installing Western red cedar deck next weekend and wood was kiln dried/was stored indoors at deck store.
    Should we wait until next spring to stain or can we do this fall. Confused by a few comments.
    Also would like to stain cut ends during installation, is this ok?
    How soon can stain be delivered to Mn? Thank you.

    For Kiln dried, install, wait 2-4 weeks and prep first with the Restore A Deck Cleaning Kit. Takes 2-3 days to ship to MN. Do not stain end cuts. No need.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Tari stordahl · 07/30/2017
    Installing Western red cedar deck next weekend and wood was kiln dried/was stored indoors at deck store.
    Should we wait until next spring to stain or can we do this fall. Confused by a few comments.
    Also would like to stain cut ends during installation, is this ok?
    How soon can stain be delivered to Mn? Thank you.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Armstrong · 07/29/2017
    Carla Crawley:
    What is the best wood protectant to use on a deck made from pressure treated pine. The deck is old wood and it has been cleaned.

    Use the AC in a semi-transparent or semi-solid color.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Carla Crawley · 07/28/2017
    What is the best wood protectant to use on a deck made from pressure treated pine. The deck is old wood and it has been cleaned.
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    Armstrong · 07/10/2017
    Tom Bonli:
    I am re-staining a south facing, tight knot,Western Red Cedar deck that was previously stained with a Sikkens product 2 years ago. The previous stain did not stand up well at all to our harsh climate (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - 52.13N;106.67W). I'll strip and brighten the deck with RAD before applying AC stain but have a question about your transparent vs semi-transparent stain. Your transparent Redwood tone seems, from the photos, as dark as the semi-transparent Cedar tone. I like the rich appearance of the Redwood tone but need the UV protection. What is your suggestion?

    The semi-trans will have better UV protection.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Tom Bonli · 07/10/2017
    I am re-staining a south facing, tight knot,Western Red Cedar deck that was previously stained with a Sikkens product 2 years ago. The previous stain did not stand up well at all to our harsh climate (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - 52.13N;106.67W). I'll strip and brighten the deck with RAD before applying AC stain but have a question about your transparent vs semi-transparent stain. Your transparent Redwood tone seems, from the photos, as dark as the semi-transparent Cedar tone. I like the rich appearance of the Redwood tone but need the UV protection. What is your suggestion?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Armstrong · 07/08/2017
    Merle:
    I just sanded my redwood deck down to the bare wood. How many coats of semi-transparent or semi-solid should I apply. I'm in the Pacific NW with lots of rain in the winter and sun in the summer. Part of the deck is exposed, part under cover.

    Just one coat is needed.
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    Merle · 07/07/2017
    I just sanded my redwood deck down to the bare wood. How many coats of semi-transparent or semi-solid should I apply. I'm in the Pacific NW with lots of rain in the winter and sun in the summer. Part of the deck is exposed, part under cover.
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    Armstrong · 07/07/2017
    Cindy S:
    We adding a new deck and are trying to somewhat match the stain color of the new pressure treated wood for our existing deck. Can you advise if your semi transparent cedar or sierra redwood would be the best bet? Also, for the old deck, we've flipped the boards and sanded. Is it still necessary (or helpful) to use the brightener to restore Ph as it is basically fresh wood? Thanks!

    It would be best to try some samples for the colors. Also, see this about new wood:
    https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain