Here is great video from one of our customers showing how to prep and apply a maintenance coat of the Armstrong Clark Wood Stain.

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    Dave r · 05/20/2021
    Last year I redid some eucalyptus furniture with the full kit - clean and brighten - then the dark walnut stain. After the winter my chairs look faded and my table tops are partly grey wood and stained wood. 
    Do I have to start over with the full kit on all of it or just the table tops and clean and another round of the stain on the chairs?
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      Armstrong · 05/21/2021
      You can just clean and stain the table tops.
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        Dave R · 05/21/2021
        So i don't need to use your cleaner or brightner at all for a maintenance coat the second year - just soap and water and let the furniture dry before applying?
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          Armstrong · 05/21/2021
          No, best to use the RAD Cleaner and then recoat. 
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    Eric · 04/24/2021
    Bought a sample of driftwood grey. It has a significant blue hue. Is this always the case ?
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      Armstrong · 04/25/2021
      The color is correct on your wood post. Colors do vary based on the wood type and the age of the wood.
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    xcybermail · 03/27/2021
    I stained my deck with AC Semi-Transparent Cedar last summer. Looked beautiful.
    After the snow has melted, I find it covered with ugly dark leaf stains. How can I clean without damaging the stain?

    I tried to clean with soap solution and deck brush but after a lot of effort you can see the stains are still there.
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    Claude Bentley · 12/16/2020
    Hi
    I bought a cedar siding home built in 1976 and it does not appear to have ever been stained or protected in any way. I would like to prep/clean the siding and apply AC clear fire retardant stain/sealer to the siding. What do I need to do to start. Need some advice before I order the AC products. What products do I need and some advise on the prep. Thank you
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      Armstrong · 12/16/2020
      The AC does not come in a fire retardant anymore. As for prep help, please send pictures. Once prepped, you can stain in any AC color that you like.
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    Jim Cesario · 11/08/2020
    What is the lowest temperature that woodland brown semi solid be applied to siding?
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    Bob · 10/22/2020
    Hello! I applied ARMSTRONG CLARK IPE AND HARDWOOD STAIN to my two year old, never treated IPE deck. It was cleaned using restore a deck per instructions. After drying the deck has some splotches. Is this because the deck was not prepared properly or do I need another coat of stain?
    Bob
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      Armstrong · 10/22/2020
      Do a test board to see how it dries and cures after a day or two before attempting to recoat all the wood.
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        Bob · 10/22/2020
        Thank you. This pic was taken after 3 weeks. Can it be recoated as is? Do I need to reclean with Restore-A-Deck?
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          Armstrong · 10/23/2020
          As is. Just make sure the wood is free of dirt.
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    nancy · 10/14/2020
    We stained our deck with Driftwood, 2 yrs ago. I'm a little confused as to whether we need both the cleaner and brightener or just the cleaner for prep. When is only cleaner used? Thanks.
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    Jon Broderick · 09/28/2020
    Can these stains be used on exterior wood windows and doors?
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      Armstrong · 09/29/2020
      They are not designed for doors nor can they be top coated.
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    Stephen McDowell · 09/18/2020
    How long after staining before replacing furniture? Thanks.
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      Armstrong · 09/19/2020
      When fully dry. 24-48 hours is normal.
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    Mike · 09/14/2020
    On 6/3/20 posted a question about Mountain Cedar Semi-solid rubbing off. I neglected to mention that I rubbed off/in the stain with a cloth after applying it with a pad. Can I apply a clear protectant coat AFTER I reapply a maintenance coat of the semi- solid?
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      Armstrong · 09/14/2020
      No, the AC cannot be top coated with a clear sealer.
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    Emilio · 09/06/2020
    The contractor that built our cedar deck recently, lightly sanded then immediately applied Armstrong Clark amber oil just 3 days after the deck was completed. I should also mention that it rained the day before the stain was applied. Is there cause for concern as far as humidity being trapped by the stain and rot the wood over time?
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    Tacoma Frank · 09/05/2020
    Hi, a contractor applied 1 sloppy coat of your chestnut semi-transparent last year (see photo) on cedar deck. Lot's of it has worn off. Please advise on restaining using same material. Do I need to strip, and clean, and brighten? Do I need to power wash? Also, I have previously opened and unopened cans (1 and 5 gal) of stain, do these need to be reshaken at store or can I roll and then stir? Thank you!!
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      Armstrong · 09/06/2020
      Strip and brighten to get it even. Mix or shake the cans prior to use.
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        Tacoma Frank · 09/06/2020
        Thank you. Would it help to do a light pressure wash initially before the strip stage since that seems to take a lot of the old stain off without wood damage?
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    Tom · 09/01/2020
    ?Good video. So you did not use the brightener, is that correct ?
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      Armstrong · 09/01/2020
      When doing a maintenance coat of the same color and stain, no need.
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        Chris · 06/14/2021
        I am confused reading this thread. I am hoping to do a maintenance coat for AC semi-trans Natural Oak. Same color and stain as I did September 2019 (so just shy of 2 yrs). This comment would lead me to believe a RAD clean is all that is needed before my one or two maintenance coats, but further above you reply to someone saying “Use both [cleaner & brightwner] for maintenance coats” when they asked about  2 year old driftwood stain. I assume they were using the same color and stain and would therefore just need to clean. Am I missing something?
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          Armstrong · 06/14/2021
          The brightener, while it does not have to be used for maintenance coats, can be used for most scenarios and does offer value by neutralizing the cleaner and removing any deeper discoloration.
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    Edward Stanulis · 09/01/2020
    I just applied semi-transparent Driftwood Grey and it looks good. I was not able to apply second coat wet on wet, so I have a few questions. (1) Is a "normal application" just one coat? (2) Does a second coat provide a longer time before a deck needs recoating? (3) Is the basic reason for applying a second coat is to provide more color consistency? (4) Will I be able to apply second coat one week after the first coat?
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      Armstrong · 09/01/2020
      1. 1-2 coats are normal. Depends on how proud it is.
      2. Not really. More is not always better.
      3. Needed if the wood is older and dried out and does help with color consistency.
      4, If needed, yes.
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    Traci · 08/30/2020
    Should I fill in wood bee holes before staining a deck
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      Armstrong · 08/30/2020
      Wood filler will not work on decking and it will not "stain" to blend.
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    tom · 07/16/2020
    Last year i stained a new front porch of mahogany with you Amber hardwood stain, one coat, looks great. should i apply a new coat this year? should i use your deck cleaner as prep? thanks
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    Mike · 06/03/2020
    Have applied Mountain Cedar semi solid stain on my deck two of the last four years. Used a staining pad, but the stain never seems to completely dry; the stain from two years ago is still rubbing off on shoes. Used the same stain as was originally applied. What am I doing wrong?
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    Doug · 05/18/2020
    I'd like to do a maintenance coat with the semi-solid. It's been two years since the first time. What prepping do I need to do?
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    Doug · 05/18/2020
    Why wasn't the 2nd step (brightener) used in the video?
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    Craig Shannon · 05/13/2020
    I saw a video where the person was using a deck staining brush. I am re-doing my pier and can't find the brush he used . It was yellow bristle that attached to an extension pole. He was using Armstrong-Clark products as will I, Waiting to hear back before placing my order. Thanks,Craig Shannon
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    Gail Conlon · 05/02/2020
    I stained my deck last Sept. 2019. I'd like to apply a 2nd coat to the deck floor. Can I just clean the floor with a power washer or do I have to use a deck brightener first.
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      Armstrong · 05/02/2020
      Use a deck cleaner and then light pressure wash.
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    susan Dorgan · 05/01/2020
    After brightening, how much time can pass before applying the stain? I know that you have to wait a minimum of 48 hours and the wood needs to be dry; however, it may be a week or so after the brightening before a proper weather window exists. Is there a cut-off time before the wood needs to be brightened again before applying the stain?
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    Kerri · 04/30/2020
    If I applied AC natural tone stain 1 year ago, can I come back and apply AC Natural Oak Semi-transparent stain without stripping the natural tone?
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    Rosemary · 04/15/2020
    I stained my one year old deck 2 years ago with the semi-transparent stain. It still looks OK. Regardless, should I be staining my deck again this year? Generally how often does one need to stain with a semi-transparent stain? If I do stain it this year, is it essential to do the cleaning & brightening again or can I just brush deck off and apply the stain? I will be using the same stain color that is on there already.
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      Armstrong · 04/15/2020
      Every 2-3 years is the norm. You always have to prep when reapplying so yes, use the Cleaner and the Brightener.
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    Dawn · 04/03/2020
    Good morning ? we stained our 2yr old deck (pressure treated) last year. The stain soaked in so much we gave it a second coat then too. This spring the floor of the deck seems very dry with the knots in the wood turning almost white. It also obviously needs to be cleaned. After cleaning and brightening should we als9 restrain this year? After that how often should we stain? We are using semi transparent, the new colour from last year.
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      Armstrong · 04/03/2020
      The cleaner and brightener should only be used when you plan on applying another coat. If you use them, you can apply one light coat.

      BTW, knows being light or white in color is normal due to the density of the wood there. Not an issue.
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    Robin C · 02/10/2020
    Can I just clean and reapply the next year without stripping or sanding?
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    West · 10/18/2019
    When is it too cool/cold to apply deck stain?
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    Garrett L Dietz · 08/25/2019
    What about the brightener?
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      Armstrong · 08/25/2019
      Yes, you need to brighten the wood.