Best Semi-Solid Deck Stain

Deck stains come in different transparency levels. The more transparent or the less opaque a stain is, the more the natural wood grain shows through. This category is referred to as the semi-transparent deck stains.

The more opaque less transparent deck stains are commonly called the semi-solid deck stains. So basically the transparency scale in order starting with the least opaque would be a clear sealer, semi-transparent stain, semi-solid stain, and solid stains.

All stains are designed to be water repellent but not all will protect against graying UV rays. Pigment in the stain is what provides UV protection. With that said, a clear sealer would provide zero UV protection while a solid stain would provide the most. Ultraviolet rays are what cause a wood deck to turn gray. Because of this, many deck owners stay away from clear sealers.

The solid deck stains completely mask the beauty of the wood and are much harder to maintain. Therefore, the semi-transparent and semi-solid deck stains are the popular choices. They are easier to maintain, provide adequate water and UV protection, and do not hide the wood but rather enhance its appearance. For those looking for an enhanced look with exceptional UV protection, the semi-solid stains are the ticket.

The best semi-solid deck stain is going to be an oil based penetrating formula. A reputable deck stain like Armstrong Clark is a popular choice. They offer several semi-solid deck stain colors such as Espresso, Mountain Cedar, Sequoia, Woodland, and Oxford Brown.

Armstrong Clark Semi Solid Colors

This stain is a unique blend of both nondrying and drying oils. These oils separate to perform specific tasks. The nondrying side of the formula penetrates the pores to replace the wood’s lessening natural oils. The drying oils provide a surface barrier to trap in the conditioning oils and keep out moisture. This process revitalizes the wood while providing protection. Using the best semi-solid deck stain available will ensure you get much use from your deck while keeping it looking great.

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    Administrator · 06/09/2016
    Terry Filliman:
    I would like to apply an oil based solid or semi-solid stain to a clean older Trex composite deck. Don't want to use a water based solid surface stain. Will your semisolid stain penetrate composite deck? Pros and cons of using on composite?

    Sorry, but AC is not designed for composite decking.
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    Terry Filliman · 06/08/2016
    I would like to apply an oil based solid or semi-solid stain to a clean older Trex composite deck. Don't want to use a water based solid surface stain. Will your semisolid stain penetrate composite deck? Pros and cons of using on composite?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 04/28/2016
    Rita Molloy:
    We have a large Cedar deck that we had applied Sikkens numerous times it is peeling and we don't want to use any more sickens.
    My husband is sanding it all down to bare wood and we were advised to apply a penetrating stain.

    After sanding does it need any other treatment or are we ready for the stain

    Could you recommend which stain would be best?
    Yes prep with a Restore A Deck Kit for the final prep. Try the AC in a semi-transparent or a semi-solid color.
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    Rita Molloy · 04/27/2016
    We have a large Cedar deck that we had applied Sikkens numerous times it is peeling and we don't want to use any more sickens.
    My husband is sanding it all down to bare wood and we were advised to apply a penetrating stain.

    After sanding does it need any other treatment or are we ready for the stain

    Could you recommend which stain would be best?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 04/19/2016
    jon:
    going over an older deck that had a red semi-solid. Must the deck be completly stripped or could I clean up as best I can removing loose , scrubbing, then re-applying

    You do need to strip off as much as possible.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    jon · 04/19/2016
    going over an older deck that had a red semi-solid. Must the deck be completly stripped or could I clean up as best I can removing loose , scrubbing, then re-applying
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 10/25/2015
    SusanWener:
    Applied test area yesterday morning of semi-solid stain to porch. Mixed Oxford Brown and Sequoia 1:1. Like the color and coverage but when I went to check it this morning, I brushed my hand over it and was covered in brownish-red "dust", in two tones!

    Colors not mixed thoroughly? What about the dusty residue? Over-application? They will be staining the entire porch Monday morning so I'd like to know what to tell them.

    Thanks

    Probably over applied and did not penetrate and cure fully. You can mix colors. Make sure they you mix thoroughly and only apply one coat of the stain. Do not back wipe the stain either. Let it fully cure and dry into the wood grain.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Susan Wener · 10/24/2015
    Applied test area yesterday morning of semi-solid stain to porch. Mixed Oxford Brown and Sequoia 1:1. Like the color and coverage but when I went to check it this morning, I brushed my hand over it and was covered in brownish-red "dust", in two tones!

    Colors not mixed thoroughly? What about the dusty residue? Over-application? They will be staining the entire porch Monday morning so I'd like to know what to tell them.

    Thanks
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 10/12/2015
    Terri:
    Is your semi-solid stain deck also good for front and garage doors?

    It may have issues on the from door due to the weather seals. It would be fine on an unfinished garage door.
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    Terri · 10/12/2015
    Is your semi-solid stain deck also good for front and garage doors?
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    Administrator · 07/10/2015
    Joe DAngelillio:
    I have a new mahogany porch floor and top rail that I want to stain a medium - dark brown color. On your color chart, the samples I want to order are all semi-solid. What is the down side of using semi-solid stain on mahogany?

    It may not penetrate as well as it should into the wood grain.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Joe DAngelillio · 07/09/2015
    I have a new mahogany porch floor and top rail that I want to stain a medium - dark brown color. On your color chart, the samples I want to order are all semi-solid. What is the down side of using semi-solid stain on mahogany?
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    Administrator · 07/02/2015
    Terry D:
    Just replaced our wood pressure treated deck with a composite deck. We used the mahogany shade made by Clubhouse. I want to stain the floor joists and posts, how long do I have to wait to stain them. Also, I am looking at your mahogany stain and wanted to know if this is a solid or semi-solid stain. Hoping the colors will match fairly well.

    The Mahogany is a semi-transparent. We have samples for testing on our site. Clean and stain the new wood in 2-3 months.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Terry D · 07/02/2015
    Just replaced our wood pressure treated deck with a composite deck. We used the mahogany shade made by Clubhouse. I want to stain the floor joists and posts, how long do I have to wait to stain them. Also, I am looking at your mahogany stain and wanted to know if this is a solid or semi-solid stain. Hoping the colors will match fairly well.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 06/10/2015
    Sharon:
    My deck is pressure treated pine, 18 yrs old in Little Rock, AR. We have used Behr semi-transparent deck stain every 2-3 years with pressure washing/deck cleaner before application. Last application was 3 yrs ago & the stain failed--lots of bare wood showing and wood now looks old and cracked. We are having it pressure cleaned by a professional & it looks like the old stain is coming off well. Can we use one of your products at this stage to condition the wood and look appealing?
    Thanks

    As long as you remove the Behr, you can use the AC stain.

    Thanks!
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Sharon · 06/10/2015
    My deck is pressure treated pine, 18 yrs old in Little Rock, AR. We have used Behr semi-transparent deck stain every 2-3 years with pressure washing/deck cleaner before application. Last application was 3 yrs ago & the stain failed--lots of bare wood showing and wood now looks old and cracked. We are having it pressure cleaned by a professional & it looks like the old stain is coming off well. Can we use one of your products at this stage to condition the wood and look appealing?
    Thanks
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 05/10/2015
    Tracey:
    which semi solid stain color would give me the best dark rich color without a red tint. My house siding is red so I don't want a red tint in the stain. My deck material is pressure treated pine. My deck is 4 years old and hasn't been stained ever.

    Oxford Brown.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Tracey · 05/09/2015
    which semi solid stain color would give me the best dark rich color without a red tint. My house siding is red so I don't want a red tint in the stain. My deck material is pressure treated pine. My deck is 4 years old and hasn't been stained ever.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 04/26/2015
    David Behar:
    Hi!

    I live near Seattle and have a fairly new tight-knot cedar deck. We cleaned and applied Sherwin Williams Deckscapes Premium Waterbone Formula. This is listed as a semi-transparent stain, but is actually fairly solid in appearance. After one year it looks pretty bad, the color is showing fading and there are few small spots where the stain has flaked off. I read very good reviews about your stain and am wondering what you would recommend for re-staining my deck. I'd prefer re-coating it to trying to get it down to bare wood.

    You have to remove the SW and that will require sanding it all off before using the AC.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    David Behar · 04/26/2015
    Hi!

    I live near Seattle and have a fairly new tight-knot cedar deck. We cleaned and applied Sherwin Williams Deckscapes Premium Waterbone Formula. This is listed as a semi-transparent stain, but is actually fairly solid in appearance. After one year it looks pretty bad, the color is showing fading and there are few small spots where the stain has flaked off. I read very good reviews about your stain and am wondering what you would recommend for re-staining my deck. I'd prefer re-coating it to trying to get it down to bare wood.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 03/31/2015
    Adam:
    Do you have a white semi solid stain to use on new PT deck railing or do I have to paint it instead

    We do not.
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    Adam · 03/31/2015
    Do you have a white semi solid stain to use on new PT deck railing or do I have to paint it instead
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 10/28/2014
    gene solyntjes:
    Hello,
    I've seen no deck I like since retiring here in the Rockies at 6,500 feet in northern New Mexico (326 days of full sun a year). I am working on a 1,200 sq. ft. deck/pergola/patio of pine. Apparently your semi solid stain would be the best choice? How much would I need initially and how often would I have to restain here?

    We would need a total sq. footage of all wood to give a proper estimate on the amount. Might want to start with 10 gallons of the semi-solid. Floors would need to be redone very 2-3 years with the semi-solids and the verticals will last another 1-2 years longer.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    gene solyntjes · 10/27/2014
    Hello,
    I've seen no deck I like since retiring here in the Rockies at 6,500 feet in northern New Mexico (326 days of full sun a year). I am working on a 1,200 sq. ft. deck/pergola/patio of pine. Apparently your semi solid stain would be the best choice? How much would I need initially and how often would I have to restain here?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Scott S. · 10/20/2014
    I have just built a deck with pressure treated pine. I am looking for a natural look on the deck? Not looking for stain. What would you suggest?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 10/16/2014
    Jim T:
    We have a composite wood deck, that a contractor spilled tub reglazing paint on. Although he cleaned it twice with his own cleaning solutions, the white haze and some remaining paint residue still is pretty visible on a number of our planks.

    Our composite wood deck is unusual in that it does NOT have a plastic exterior coating covering the material; it is more a solid, flat wood with no visible grain, but has tiny pieces of plastic embedded within it.

    My questions are:

    1) can we use Armstrong Clark semi-solid oil stains on composite wood decks successfully?

    2) What deck cleaners and/or strippers are compatible with your products?

    3) Where can I find a local dealer for your products? We live in Los Angeles

    Thank you so much for your help!

    I am sorry but Armstrong is not designed for composite decking.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Jim T · 10/15/2014
    We have a composite wood deck, that a contractor spilled tub reglazing paint on. Although he cleaned it twice with his own cleaning solutions, the white haze and some remaining paint residue still is pretty visible on a number of our planks.

    Our composite wood deck is unusual in that it does NOT have a plastic exterior coating covering the material; it is more a solid, flat wood with no visible grain, but has tiny pieces of plastic embedded within it.

    My questions are:

    1) can we use Armstrong Clark semi-solid oil stains on composite wood decks successfully?

    2) What deck cleaners and/or strippers are compatible with your products?

    3) Where can I find a local dealer for your products? We live in Los Angeles

    Thank you so much for your help!
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 09/25/2014
    Dick McIntyre:
    Have a 20x12 shed newly built.Sheathed w/3/4" TREATED plywood....batten strips. Can I apply your semi-solid stain with a sprayer? Looking for "wood-bark" tone coverage,and dense UV protection.Coastal South Carolina....Do you have a COLOR chart? Many Thanks, Dick

    Yes you can apply the semi-solids with a sprayer. Probably Oxford Brown would be your best option. We have samples that you can test.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Dick McIntyre · 09/25/2014
    Have a 20x12 shed newly built.Sheathed w/3/4" TREATED plywood....batten strips. Can I apply your semi-solid stain with a sprayer? Looking for "wood-bark" tone coverage,and dense UV protection.Coastal South Carolina....Do you have a COLOR chart? Many Thanks, Dick
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 08/20/2014
    Larry Rose:
    I have a large 25 year old deck with multiple coats of solid stain in poor condition. Do I have to remove all of the old stain? This would be a huge task. Can Armstrong stain be used on top of the existing stain?
    Thanks.

    No you cannot use AC on top of a solid stain of any brand.