The Armstrong Clark 2019 Contest Results can be seen here: 2019 Armstrong Clark Stain Contest

Armstrong 2020 Clark Stain Contest Details

  • All Armstrong Clark Stain and Prep products must be purchased first from this online retail site (ArmstrongClarkStain.com) between January 1st - Sept. 14th, 2020.
  • The deadline for entry is Sept. 30th, 2020.
  • The winner will be decided by October 15th, 2020 by our team.

Contestant winners will receive

  • First Place = $500 + 5 Gallon Pail of Armstrong Clark Stain of your choice!
  • Second Place = $350  + 3 Gallons of Armstrong Clark Stain of your choice!
  • Third Place:= $200  + 2 Gallons of Armstrong Clark Stain of your choice!

How To Enter Contest

  1. Enter by Sept. 30th, 2020.
  2. In the comment section below, post a short description of your deck/wood staining project, the products used to prep, and the Armstrong Clark Stain and Color used. Examples of wood projects that can be entered: Decks, Fences, Wood Side Homes, Log Cabins, etc.
  3. Add 2 before prepping pictures of the wood that was restored (no more/less). You can still enter if you do not have the before pictures. Decks, wood fences, wood homes, etc are allowed.
  4. 2 after staining pictures must be included (no more/less).
  5. If having trouble uploading the pictures, please make your picture(s) size smaller (below 1 MB).

Any questions or issues posting, please ask in the comment area.

We look forward to all Armstrong Clark Stain entries!

*Disclaimer: All products must be purchased from ArmstrongClarkStain.com. The contest is not open to products purchased from other online dealers or from physical retail stores.

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    Bill · 07/29/2020
    My wife and I wanted to extend the life of the cedar lap siding on our 200 y/o farmhouse that we purchased 2 years ago. After replacing some warped boards, I prepped the siding with Wash Safe Cedar Wash, gently power-washing and scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush. After drying, I applied 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner, spraying clean with a garden hose after 2 minutes elapsed. We tested 3 Armstrong Clark samples and agreed on a Transparent Natural tone to preserve the character of the wood. The stain was applied using a sprayer and back-brushing. We are very pleased with the results and have recommended Armstrong Clark products to friends and family.
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    Jim · 07/23/2020
    Re-posting to add resized pictures of before and after....Pacific Northwest 10 year old cedar deck restoration to from weather worn to amazing, better than new, beautiful condition. Previous non-Armstrong/Clark stain failed after only 1 year. I emailed my size of deck and questions to AC and got great support and guidance! Then ordered 3 samples that helped me decide best color and chose the semi-transparent cedar. Then ordered the combo kit of Restore-A-Deck cleaner and brightener and 5 gallons of the semi-transparent cedar stain. All delivered in good order. Followed the directions to prep, then brighten, let dry then applied stain 1st coat and followed with wet on wet second coat. Had perfect weather conditions and stain dried and cured to a beautiful, resilient, even finish that looks like it will easily last 2-3 years. Clean up was easy too. Thank you AC for all your help, your great products and ability to sample and for having a contest for showing off our projects! Hope I win so I can share the experience and products with friends and family!
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    Jim · 07/23/2020
    Pacific Northwest 10 year old cedar deck restoration to from weather worn to amazing, better than new, beautiful condition. Previous non-Armstrong/Clark stain failed after only 1 year. I emailed my size of deck and questions to AC and got great support and guidance! Then ordered 3 samples that helped me decide best color and chose the semi-transparent cedar. Then ordered the combo kit of Restore-A-Deck cleaner and brightener and 5 gallons of the semi-transparent cedar stain. All delivered in good order. Followed the directions to prep, then brighten, let dry then applied stain 1st coat and followed with wet on wet second coat. Had perfect weather conditions and stain dried and cured to a beautiful, resilient, even finish that looks like it will easily last 2-3 years. Clean up was easy too. Thank you AC for all your help, your great products and ability to sample and for having a contest for showing off our projects! Hope I win so I can share the experience and products with friends and family!
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    Paul Ryan · 07/23/2020
    All pine wood deck I added onto last year with another 192 square feet of deck and a pergola. Prep was Restore-a-Deck cleaner and Restore-a-Deck brightener. Railing was Restore-a Deck solid stain and the floor boards were Armstrong-Clark, Driftwood Gray. Stain was applied with a sprayer and back brushed.
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    Mr. Vin · 07/13/2020
    Can semi-solid stain be used on seating areas or will it stain clothes?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Armstrong · 07/13/2020
      The semi-solid colors are not suggested for areas that you would sit on.
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    Paul Sander · 07/07/2020
    I purchased my first ever home last year. There was this large, 2-level wooden deck that came with the house, but it was painted this gross brown color. The deck had obviously never been maintained and the paint was peeling and cracking, and where the wood was visible, it was a dark grey color. Because of the COVID layoffs, I suddenly had some time on my hands and decided to sand the entire deck myself. To my great shock, the wood underneath was a beautiful nearly pristine redwood! I asked my friends and looked online to find the best reviewed semi-transparent oil-based stain and Armstrong Clark was my choice. Sanding took me roughly 150 hours, after which i let the wood be "exposed" for 4 weeks before applying the Cedar colored Semi-transparent Armstrong Clark Stain. I honestly couldn't be happier with the results. I think my home value just went up and my neighbors have all commented on how nice it looks!
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    jwood · 06/26/2020
    I have an Ipe deck that is 20 years old and have stained it 3 times in the past with Cabot mahogany stain. The process has always been dreadful doing in the heat and very little open time to work.
    The only prep i did for this latest application was power wash as most of the deck had lost the color and turned grey. What stain was left on got coated over nicely. I used the Armstrong-Clark Mahogany wood stain and it looks great! It was also easy to work with. The after pic is after 2 months. I am a professional woodworker and very picky about the finished that i use on my projects.
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    Laurie Chute · 06/23/2020
    I have a mahogany deck (I’m pretty sure at least) in Connecticut that has had 9 years of stain since we’ve lived here, at least. Cabot and arborcoat are 2 that I know were used in the past. I power washed and used the RAD stripper and brightener and followed up with board by board sanding, as I wanted all prior stuff off and the stripper alone didn’t achieve. The deck gets full sun all day. After sanding and letting it see no moisture for days, I applied Armstrong Clark hardwood stain in amber with a brush. The results have wowed me and I feel a huge sense of relief to have saved my deck from inferior stains that did nothing to enhance the woods natural beauty. I’m strangely excited to just clean, brighten and stain subsequent springs without questioning products and a ridiculous amount of sweat equity. I thank Armstrong Clark for their products and quick reply to questions.
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    michael lance · 06/20/2020
    I have a new deck that was put on home. All pine wood. I have decided to do a two toned look. For all prep work I used restore a deck cleaner and restore a deck brightener with a pressure washer. For railing I used Restore
    a deck solid stain (bright White) and used Armstrong-Clark ( Driftwood Gray)on all deck boards. Stain was applied with a brush and roller. Very happy with the final result.
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    Pam Veach · 06/19/2020
    Our 500 sq. ft. treated pine wraparound deck was in need of much TLC. The deck is 15 years old, had been stained 4 times and painted once. The summer Michigan sun bears down on the South facing side with little to no shade. I used the RAD Stripper, followed by the brightener and was amazed at how good it looked already. I ordered 2 stain samples and chose the Armstrong Clark Hardwood Amber shade. After a few days of drying, I applied the stain with a deck stain brush. Couldn't be happier with the color and ease of application. I still can't believe this is my old deck!
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    Fred Shenkman · 06/18/2020
    Fred Shenkman. Have approx the 700 sq ft, I2 year old IPE deck previously stained with Penn pennofine. Used RAD stripper and brightener then stained 3days latter. After 1 day used push broom with cotton cloths to take any residual stain off. Looks great!!
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    Fred Shenkman · 06/18/2020
    Fred Shenkman. Have approx the 700 sq ft, I2 year old IPE deck previously stained with Penn pennofine. Used RAD stripper and brightener then stained 3days latter. After 1 day used push broom with cotton cloths to take any residual stain off. Looks great!!
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    Don Nelson · 06/18/2020
    I have a large wrap around mahogany porch on my Queen Ann Victorian. I used the Armstrong Clark RAD stripper, brightener, then the mahogany stain on the ceiling, knee walls, and porch decking. The process was pretty straight forward and the stain went on easy. What a transformation, very excited about how it turned out.
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    Charles Flynn · 06/15/2020
    I recently purchased a home with a mahogany deck. The before picture shows a very inconsistent and varying finish. I used the RAD stripper and brightener to remove all finish. I used the Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Mahogany stain. The rain beads beautifully after staining!
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    Brian · 06/11/2020
    After ignoring my approx. 400 sf mahogany porch for a couple of years, I stripped it and stained with AC Amber. I used the RAD stripper and brightener and did some light sanding with 80 grit. I’m very happy with the results and have already received a number of compliments.
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    Phillip Tausch · 06/03/2020
    COVID-19 project while teleworking: Re-staining of Pine Fence in the Sandhills of North Carolina. Fence was installed in NOV 2017 and stained with Semi-Trans Cedar in Spring 2018. There was some fading occurring on the west side of fence due to the Sun. Ordered a 5-gallon bucket and got to work. End result was a richer, more even spread. Happy with results.
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    Frank Pogoda · 05/14/2020
    ...additional images
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    Frank Pogoda · 05/14/2020
    Since 2004, each spring we'd apply a rosewood penetrating oil to our massaranduba deck. Inevitably, the deck would darken, resulting in arduous stripping and sanding. This year, we wanted a change, and selected Armstrong Clark hardwood mahogany after some favorable results posted on deck forums. First, I used Woolrich HD-80 heavy duty stripper, followed by a brightener/pH neutralizer with oxalic acid. Later, it was touched up with 60-grit sandpaper. With a warm, dry forecast, I went to work. After stirring the stain thoroughly with a mixing paddle, I rolled and back-rolled the stain, using about 3 gallons for 650 sq. ft. It went on easily. Stepping on thick towel rags to prevent footprints, I back-brushed the deck about an hour later. The next day, the deck was thoroughly rag wiped. Two days later, rains came, and we never witnessed water sheeting to that degree. My wife even went out later to squeegee the deck! (See image 072 for sheeting). Image 141 shows the dry deck. If you look close, one board on the top right was wiped prematurely, as a test. I'll reapply AC stain to that board shortly. Overall, we couldn't be more pleased. We'll use the deck next week for a private commencement service for our son's college graduation. And we'll continue using Armstrong Clark stain for the foreseeable future. Thank you for an outstanding product.

    Frank Pogoda
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    Steve · 05/14/2020
    Steve Wills here from Folly Beach, SC. Attached are the before and after pictures of the shutters I stained on my house with your Semi Trans Rustin Brown Stain. I waited one year to allow the treated pine to cure and then cleaned, power washed and stained the shutters. I couldn’t be more pleased with the way it turned out. The rich natural colors in the stain brought out the beautiful highlights and character of the wood. The stained shutters and steps gave the house that finished look it needed so badly and now everything blends beautifully with the landscaping. I've gotten multiple thumbs up from neighbors and friends alike. Thanks so much for the great product and your help.

    Sincerely,
    Steve Wills
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    Christina M Sorah · 05/01/2020
    Restored and Stained the wood deck on the back of the house. It had been 4 years since the deck was last stained using a transparent Cedar stain from Armstong-Clark. We decided to go a little darker this time for better protection and longer coverage. We used Restore-a-Deck to prep and Armstong-Clark Simi-Solid Sequoia to stain.