Armstrong Clark Oil Based Wood Deck Stains

New Decking and Armstrong Clark Stain

by Administrator

Armstrong Clark is a penetrating oil based stain that will soak deep into the wood grain offering protection from UV graying and water. The advantages to a penetrating deck stain is that they will not peel but rather fade over the years. The key though is proper prep before applying your AC especially if your wood is new.

New “smooth” wood should not be stained right away with Armstrong Clark. A few things need to happen first:

  • The wood should dry out in the climate
  • Exposed layers of wood cells should oxidize slightly
  • Mill glaze needs to be removed
  • Prep after waiting will remove both oxidation and mill glaze

New Decks and Armstrong Clark Stain Tips

The best advice is to not stain your new smooth wood too soon after install but follow these steps:

  1. Install wood and let sit outside for 3-4 months or more if using a transparent or semi-transparent color. If using a semi-solid color, you should wait 12 months.
  2. Once the wood has been exposed, use the Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit for prep.
  3. Let the wood dry for 2 or more days after prep.
  4. Apply 1 coat of the Armstrong Clark Stain. Do not over apply.

To maintain your new coat of AC you will most likely need to a light coat in 12-24 months to just the floors or horizontals surfaces. In the future, you will need to reapply AC every 2-3 years for most scenarios or as needed based on your particular traffic and weather.

Important Note: Rough Sawn cut wood can be stained right after install as long as the wood is clean and dry.

If you have a question on prepping your need wood or deck, feel free to ask below.

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MJ Ford
MJ Ford
5 months ago

My pine treated deck was built 7 years ago and was weathered 7 months before I put a semi transparent stain on. A few years later I put on a semi solid stain which peeled badly after 18 months. Both stains are Behr from Home Depot. I just stripped the deck, and sanded it but there are a few areas where the solid stain isn’t 100 % removed but close to 90%. I would like to use Armstrong-Clark semi solid after I clean and brighten. Question I have is do I need to wait 12 months to weather since it was sanded down or can I apply new semi sold. I don’t know how to post a pic.

Armstrong
Admin
5 months ago
Reply to  MJ Ford

You will need to remove 100% of the Behr stain first before using the AC Stains. If you power sanded, you can stain now as long as you did not sand finer than 80 grit. Make sure to clean and brighten for final prep. Just 1 coat of the AC stain.

MJ Ford
MJ Ford
5 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

Thank you and thanks for the quick reply.

randy d
randy d
5 months ago

My house redwood shingles were pressure washed but not stripped of previous stain. Stained with sierra redwood not brightened and look great. I then put old new looking never stained redwood shingles on a section and pressure washed and brightened and sierra redwood stained. At the same time i stripped the cedar deck and brightened and applied sierra redwood stain. All were wet on wet. The original unstripped shingles look great. The redwood stained cedar deck looks great. The new section of shingles are very light colored and no where a match for the unstripped shingles and the cedar deck. Yikes. I just want to get the red into the new section of shingles.

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Armstrong
Admin
5 months ago
Reply to  randy d

It is not possible to get new wood to match older wood. The new wood will always stain lighter since it is less absorbent. Adding more stain will proabbly not make it blend better.

Kristen
Kristen
5 months ago

I purchased semi-transparent wood stain to apply to new Tigerwood top railing of deck. Needed to sand off mill marks last week. Was going to next apply stain. Discussion here has me reconsidering. What are your recommendations and timing? Thanks!

Armstrong
Admin
5 months ago
Reply to  Kristen

You will need to follow the directions for new wood as explained in this article.

Barb B.
Barb B.
5 months ago

Hi I live in Chicago. I had a new cedar deck built, started in mid July, and finished in August. Can I stain it using semi transparent stain at end of October? Im nervous about weathering wood over wet and snowy winter. Could mold and fungus be a problem by spring? Thank you

Armstrong
Admin
5 months ago
Reply to  Barb B.

Best to wait until spring. It will be fine.

Sergey
Sergey
6 months ago

Hi, I live in Mississauga, Ontario. I installed new deck with thermowood raillings. Can I use AC translusant with tint oil on thermawood?
Thank you in advance.
Sergey.

Armstrong
Admin
6 months ago
Reply to  Sergey

After weathering and prep, yes. One coat only.

randy d
randy d
6 months ago

Would like to do wet on wet or must i wait one year for second coat?

Armstrong
Admin
6 months ago
Reply to  randy d

For new wood, only 1 coat.

randy d
randy d
6 months ago

My cedar deck is stained with TWP cedartone. Before i applied the stain i overpower washed in several areas. I now want to sand the deck but TWP after seeing pictures says to strip, brighten and stain. I want to switch to Armstrong Clark Sierra Redwood to match my house or possibly Cedar after a test. How best to proceed?

Armstrong
Admin
6 months ago
Reply to  randy d

Strip to remove the TWP, sand after if needed with 60-80 grit paper. Brighten last. Only 1 ocat for sanded wood.

Jeff C.
Jeff C.
7 months ago

Hi,
I installed a new Redwood fence in June in Central Valley in California.
Its really hot and dry here. Do I need to wait 3-4 months still before staining typical high temps are around 100
I have also cleaned and brighten the fence already using the RAD product.
I saw on another site it said that I could stain in 2 months from install
Thanks
Jeff

Armstrong
Admin
7 months ago
Reply to  Jeff C.

Yes, 3 or more months and then clean and brigthen then, not now.

Jane McLaren
Jane McLaren
7 months ago

I stripped and prepared my deck floor removing another stain product, to be stained using AC (used RAD to strip/clean as per directions). We have not yet stained due to the amount of rainy days this year. We now realize we have 7 boards to replace as they warped and will soon be blocking the door’s ability to open. My plan is to stain the rest of the deck and leave the other boards till next spring (3-4 months from now will be too cold to stain). Am I ok to do that leaving the new boards to over winter (I am in Ontario, Canada so that means lots of snow and ice on it without any protection). I don’t want to end up with warped boards again. Is there anything we could /should do to protect it over winter? The other option is to remove and flip the boards but they are starting to split and we are not confident that they will last if we just flip them. thanks.

Armstrong
Admin
7 months ago
Reply to  Jane McLaren

Yes, you can leave them and no, you cannot protect them over the Winter. They need to weather.

Jane McLaren
Jane McLaren
7 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

Would I be better to just leave the entire deck till spring? It is 6 years old. I just stripped it Sunday (which was when I realized how warped those boards were) Thank you

Armstrong
Admin
7 months ago
Reply to  Jane McLaren

You can. For prep, clean and brigthen in the Spring.

Paul
Paul
8 months ago

Leaning towards AC stain. I had a new pressure-treated pine wood deck built about 1 and a half months ago (upstate SC and it’s July right now). Wood moisture meter is giving reading of around 12% or lower now. 

Questions: 

your tips page for new decks says to wait 3-4 months, but the Internet and the deck builder indicate I can probably go ahead and stain given moisture’s reading low enough. Seems to be conflicting info, so is it safe to stain already or no?

If safe, do I need to prep the PT wood with the Restore-a-Dec cleaner and brightener kit since it’s only been 1 1/2 months? Wasn’t sure if the kit is recommended due to the insinuation it wouldn’t be applied until 3-4 months as your guide says.

Any need to pressure wash it at all in addition, or in lieu, of using the RAD kit?

How long will an opened 5 gallon stain container last for? How long will a non-opened gallon container last for? (will help me decide whether to get 5 gal container or buy single gallons)

Your new deck guide page says 1 coat, but somewhere else on the site says 1 coat but then 2 if it penetrates within 30 minutes; so for a new deck I can do 2 if it penetrates within 30 min? Your stain amount calculator also defaults to assuming 2 coats…

It’s a 14′ by 20′ low deck with partial wrap-around 2 steps…I don’t want to purchase too little stain, but don’t want to purchase too much if it won’t last at least a year to do another coat after the first year.

Thanks, I really appreciate your time to respond to my questions!

Armstrong
Admin
8 months ago
Reply to  Paul

Yes, you must wait 3-4 months. Any other advice is incorrect. It is not about moisture % but porosity.

Yes, you have to prep with the kit and pressure washing.

Opened lasts 12 months, unopened about 2-3 years.

Only one coat for new smooth wood.

Jesse G
Jesse G
9 months ago

I tested driftwood grey on green treated lumber for my new deck floor. To get a closer color match to the composite I used on top of the deck rails took two coats. Is it ok to apply two coats and if so, should the 2nd coat be applied wet or after the first dries? Or should I wait another year for the 2nd coat?

Armstrong
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Jesse G

Only one coat is suggested for new wood. Over applying and it may not be able to fully soak into the wood grain and that could result in curing issues.

Jacob greiner
Jacob greiner
9 months ago

New deck last year, waited 3 months to weather, prepped and stained, but missed the inside of spindles. It’s been almost a year and it gets a ton of direct sun. I already have the stain and should I reapply now? Its already starting to lighten up and I’m think it’s ready. What is the prep process for the 2nd coat?

Armstrong
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Jacob greiner

See here for prep products for recoating: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit

Jeanne Thomas
Jeanne Thomas
9 months ago

I have a Thermory Ash porch floor installed 7 years ago. It was previously stained with Superdeck semi-transparent. If I remove the old stain by sanding, do I need to take any other steps before using your semi-transparent stain?

Armstrong
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Jeanne Thomas

Much easier to strip and brighten for prep compared to sanding: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper

Jeanne Thomas
Jeanne Thomas
9 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

If it was a deck, I would – but this porch has a solid stucco half wall on 3 sides: there’s no drainage for large amounts of water for rinsing. So is Armstrong Clark not a good product for my application?

Armstrong
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Jeanne Thomas

Yes, it works great but prepping by stripping is easier than sanding.

Vanessa
Vanessa
9 months ago

We just installed new fence – one side is smooth (our side) and the other side is rough. I see that I have to wait 3-4 months for the smooth side to weather to stain it. However the rough is dry and can be stained anytime. Do you recommend to stain the rough side first and can i do it without cleaning and brightening? Or would it be better to stain both sides at same time e.g. so color doesn’t leak through or wood is protected at same time or maybe some other reason? There is a 1/8″ gap between the fench panels. I’m planning to use transparent or semi transparent

Armstrong
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Vanessa

No, prep and stain all at once in 3-4 months. It will bleed through so you cannot do one side at a time.

Char
Char
9 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

Does both sides need to be prep and stained if done later?

Armstrong
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Char

No, just the exposed side.

Char
Char
9 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

Both sides are exposed.

Armstrong
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Char

If it is exposed then prep and stain.

Heather Christensen
Heather Christensen
10 months ago

We have glulam stairs for our concrete deck. They are east facing so only get morning to mid morning sun. We are in Eastern Washington State, so have all four seasons. Do we need to wait to stain them?

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Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago

Yes.

bill
bill
10 months ago

Hello,

I’m getting a new cedar GARAGE DOOR . The owner of the garage door company and my contractor both said to stain it first BEFORE it is installed. The owner of the garage door company also recommended staining, sanding, and re-staining multiple times.

However, I plan on staining it an Armstrong Clark semi-transparent stain.

Where I live, the Summers will be in the 50s and it’s very foggy.

Should I follow the instructions above, have it installed, wait 3-4 months, clean & brighten, and then stain?

Or can I stain it now? If I stain it now, do I need to also clean and brighten it? (I know all the comments say to do this for decks, but not sure if garage doors are different)

I’d like the wood to look at nice as possible, but it also doesn’t need to be perfect. This is part of a much larger project and I just need this to be done.

A picture of 1 of the 4 panels is attached.

Thank you,
Bill

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Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  bill

Yes, follow the directions here fo new wood, not what your builder states.

bill
bill
10 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

Thank you for the prompt reply! Some follow up questions / comments:

  • dealer was adamant its easier to stain if I stain the panels before they are installed (There are 4 large panels)
  • can I keep the panels in my backyard for the next few months to let it age, stain, and then have the door panels installed? (If the dry season here now, so it will not be exposed to heavy rain, but will get a lot of moisture via fog)
Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  bill

The wood needs to weather outside fully exposed and then prepped.

bill
bill
10 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

Thanks for the prompt reply! This site in amazing.

I ran this buy the dealer and builder. The dealer hit me with: “I’ve been doing this 25 years and everyone stains them before they are installed. It’s difficult to get into all the crevices once they are installed”.

Follow up questions:

  • Can I just leave the panels in my backyard for 3 months and then follow the process above?

OR

  • Can I just stain the inside and sides now, install, and then follow the process above the external facing part of the door which from a looks perspective is what I care about.

Thank you,
Bill

Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  bill

Just leave outside and prep and stain when ready,

Jane
Jane
10 months ago

Hi my mahogany flooring on my porch with a roof was just installed back in March. It already has some water stains, but I intended to let it weather for 12 months. Will the Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit remove these water stains? I’m planning to use the Hardwood/Ipe Stain in either Amber or Mahogany.

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Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  Jane

You probably will need to sand all the wood to get those stains are deep in the wood grain. Prep with the Cleaner and Brightener after.

Tara Otte
Tara Otte
10 months ago

Hello, you’ve helped me this past month and answered a couple of my questions, and I really thank you for getting back to me so quickly. After using the deck cleaner, we got a week straight of rain. Its finally been dry out for 6 days and im ready to stain using your mohagany deck stain. Today suddenly says 24% chance of light showers in the afternoon. Would it be a bad idea to do it, even though it’s 12 amd gorgeous?
Also, wondering what would be the best way to make the plugs, for the holes in my IPE decking, match the wood it’s going into a little more? It’s important to my client, and i’m just not confident whether or not the mohagany stain will blend that or not? Thank you for your time

Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  Tara Otte

Hard to say with the weather. As for the plugs, never use wood filler on a deck as the stain will not tint the wood filler so it blends.

Steve
Steve
10 months ago

Can I apply your stain if the temps are 55 during the day but drop down to low 40’s at night? or should I wait until the low is above 50?

Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  Steve

Yes, that is okay.

PATRICK SIMPSON
PATRICK SIMPSON
10 months ago

I am working with RAD, preparing to strip my pine deck of Behr semi-transparent crap. I am planning on using their Paint and Stain remover, per their recommendation. Part of my deck is steps I flipped last fall, so that I could stain the bottoms, that had never been stained. Additionally, I have replaced 8-10 deck boards with treated lumber, all installed last fall. Lastly, I am totally replacing the railings with pressure treated pine and aluminum balusters. I am drying the PT pine in a DIY kiln to remove moisture.

So, given all of that, is it possible for me to use your semi-solid stains? Or, can I use the hardwood stains?? Please advise. Oh, also, RAD says that I do not need a cleaner/brightener after using their paint/stain stripper……

Thanks

Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago

To be able to use the Semi-solid colors, new wood needs to season for 1 year. The hardwood colors are designed for hardwoods but can be used on all other wood types. The RAD Paint Strip does not need to be neutralized with a Brightener. The new wood and flipped wood do need to be cleaned and brightened. We would suggest to Strip first and then use the Cleaner and Brightener Kit on all wood to ensure an even porosity of the wood when done.

PATRICK SIMPSON
PATRICK SIMPSON
10 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

do the hardwood colors also require a year for the new wood??????

Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago

3-4 months as the article explains above.

Tara Otte
Tara Otte
10 months ago

We installed new IPE decking last Fall. The contractor stained it shortly thereafter with disregard to directions. It’s now Spring and I’ve fully sanded the deck so that it looks the way it did after install. I took a mild dish soap a lightly scrubbed the deck before spraying it all off. I let it dry for well over 24 hours. Can I now go ahead and stain it without any additional prep work?

Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  Tara Otte

No, you should use the RAD cleaner to open the pores of wood so the stain can soak in correctly. Sanding closes the wood pores:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-wood-cleaner

Last edited 10 months ago by Armstrong
Tara Otte
Tara Otte
10 months ago
Reply to  Tara Otte

Thank you, I went ahead and used deck cleaner on the IPE decking with a spray pump yesterday. I want to double check if I can go ahead and stain now without using a brightner, and roughly how long should you wait for the deck to dry after cleaning it? Thank you

Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  Tara Otte

You should be good to stain. Wait 48 hours.

Isela
Isela
11 months ago

Hello. I am in Iowa. We installed a 14×12 pressure treated wood deck (not sure what kind of wood it is) 1 year 8 months ago (August 2021) . I have done nothing to it since it was installed. Do I need to sand the deck? then do the Restore a Deck cleaner + Brightener Kit. Thank You!

Armstrong
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Isela

Clean and brighten the wood. No need to sand it.

Marty
Marty
11 months ago

I am in Massachusetts. I installed a new(12×32) cedar deck last(2022) fall. From what I have read here I can now stain as soon as it stays above 50 at night. I would use the Restore-a-deck cleaner/brightener. We would choose a semi-transparent cedar stain, either ArmstrongClark or Restore-a-deck. I am most interested in durability, ease of application and maintenance of the stain.

Which stain would be best for our climate?
Best method of application for the cleaner and stain?
Best guess for quantity of stain?
Would I need to use the cleaner/brightener for the maintenance coat?

Thanks.

Armstrong
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Marty

Both stains are excellent and will last the same. Use a sprayer to apply prep. Pressure wash off. Stain pads or brushes for prep. All directions are on site for more info for each product.

Lisa
Lisa
11 months ago

Hello again. You helped me out about a year ago with a new cedar deck that had spent almost nine months in the raw; we stained it with Armstrong semi-transparent cedar stain. Prepped it with Restore-a-Deck cleaner and brightener before applying the stain.Attached are photos of what it looks like after a Chicago winter. When the weather is right, what process should we follow before applying a fresh coat of stain? Thank you!

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Armstrong
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Lisa

Prep with the cleaner and brighener and recoat.

Lisa
Lisa
11 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

Thank you. Do you think the stain will last longer this year? The first coat didn’t even make it a full year.

Armstrong
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Lisa

It is normal for new decks to need a recoat after the first year. Going forward, you should get 2 or more years.

Steve
Steve
10 months ago
Reply to  Armstrong

So for recoating after the first yr with a new deck, I would still need to need to wash and brighten, correct?

Armstrong
Admin
10 months ago
Reply to  Steve

Correct.

Lindsay
Lindsay
11 months ago

If I am using kiln dried wood for a pergola- do I still have to wait a year to use the semi solid stain?

Armstrong
Admin
11 months ago
Reply to  Lindsay

Yes, and prep after.

Jeff
Jeff
1 year ago

I have a pressure treated deck with cedar wall panels that was completed in December 2022. When can (should) I apply the semi-transparent stain for the best results? I live in southeastern Virginia – Chesapeake/Virginia Beach area.

Armstrong
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff

4-12 months after weathering and then prep. The article above explains the prep.

M C
M C
1 year ago

My contractor stained with Armstrong Clark a month after installation. The rustic brown semi transparent color seems to have already faded a little in the 3 weeks after staining. What should I do for best results?

Armstrong
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  M C

Remove, weathering, then clean again for prep. Just one coat of stain for new wood.

Heather
Heather
1 year ago

I am replacing a deck with Western Red Cedar that is kiln dried.  It’s December in the PNW.  Just want to be sure that I should NOT do anything to seal/stain this kiln dried wood for the recommended time and let it soak up the rain????  By the way,  I used your advice and stain on the cedar siding of my house after it had been on it for 20 years.  Lots and lots of prep but looks brand new still 10 years after staining.  Really impressed with your stain and knowledge.

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Heather

Wait until Spring to prep and stain. Thanks!

Van
Van
1 year ago

What should I use to clean the deck before applying the light coat after 12-24 months on the floors and horizontal surfaces? Semi-trans Cedar.

Barbara Brodie
Barbara Brodie
1 year ago

I took some 30 plus year old redwood planks and sanded off all the old paint and stain. Can I just apply the sequoia semi solid stain or do I need to do anything special? 

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Barbara Brodie
Barbara Brodie
Barbara Brodie
1 year ago
Reply to 

If it is already very clean and freshly sanded…why do I need to prep it? What will happen if I just apply the stain on the beautiful wood? 

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Barbara Brodie

Sanding is not the proper way to prep as it closes the wood pores. Cleaning and brightening after opens up the wood pores so the stain can absorb properly.

Also, you are not getting out all of the old stain fully and you should prep after to remove more. 

Barbara Brodie
Barbara Brodie
1 year ago
Reply to 

Thank you ? 

Barbara Brodie
Barbara Brodie
1 year ago
Reply to 

I thought the semi solid would cover up any weird coloring. 

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1 year ago

I bought my semi-transparent rustic brown stain last May 2021.  I have not stained the deck yet.  Can i still use the stain??

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

Yes, mix well as the pigment does settle.

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1 year ago
Reply to 

Was hoping that would be your response!  Thanks so much!

R.J. Koshar
R.J. Koshar
1 year ago

I’m having a 48-foot-long Western Red Cedar privacy fence installed this week. Would like to preserve natural cedar color. Should I wait until spring to stain? We live in Wisconsin so there will be snow and ice in next few months. 

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  R.J. Koshar

Yes, wait until Spring to prep and stain. 

Gail
Gail
1 year ago

We have a pine fence that was installed earlier this year. No finish on it. Contractor said wait 3-4 months to let the wood cure. Do we need to wait 12 months to use a semi-solid stain?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Gail

Yes.

Cynthia Point
Cynthia Point
1 year ago

The contractor wants me to do stain and sealing this year, decks done last month.  There will be a lot of snow and ice this winter, but your recommendation is to wait, what should I do?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Cynthia Point

Wait.

Cynthia Point
Cynthia Point
1 year ago

How do I know if the redwood of my new deck is rough sawn, or is smooth?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Cynthia Point

99% of decking is smooth.

Shel
Shel
1 year ago

See my post 05/25/22. Please review 1st. This is Shel. I decided not to go forward with staining until next May’23. Then, I can stain the whole deck at once…This summer I light sanded the deck to remove some residual stain marks and wood imperfections.  Now, before staining next May, I presume I should redo the prep RAD cleaner/brightener over the entire deck before staining with my A/C semi-solid. Is this correct? Thank you.

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Shel

Correct.

Joanne
Joanne
1 year ago

We purchased our KDAT red cedar wood the first week of August and stored it in our garage. We finished building the deck floor three weeks. We just finished installing the railing and balusters. Everything has been sanded.  We’d like to stain with Armstrong-Clark semi-transparent stain before the Pacific Northwest rains arrive. We have purchased the RAD product. Questions:

1. Can I apply the RAD this week or would it be better to wait a bit longer? We would prefer not to let the deck winter ‘as is’. There is a large oak tree near the deck that will soon be dropping leaves that will create tannin stains. And, with the rain comes mildew.
2. Do I have to also use the cleaner and brightener on the balusters given that it is a vertical surface? Can I just lightly spray RAD on them since it is clean wood.
3. I know that I need to wet down and cover the plants prior to using RAD. Do I also need to protect the house?
4. The deck gets intense sun in the late afternoon. Will the AC semi-transparent natural oak hold its color or do you recommend opting for chestnut brown? (I read that another customer had issues with the natural oak and sun)

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Joanne

1. 1-2 months after installation for KDAT.
2. Yes all wood needs to be prepped. You cannot skip this.
3. No but rinse overspray.
4. Natural Oak and Chestnut will last the stain. 

Richard
Richard
1 year ago

How do you clean up over spray on painted siding?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Richard

Try Goof Off but test spot first to make sure it does not harm the paint.

Richard
Richard
1 year ago

KD cedar sat stacked for several months prior to installing. Does that count toward the 12mo wait to stain or is it 12 months of UV and weather exposure?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Richard

It has to be installed and then weathered fully exposed.

Jeff
Jeff
1 year ago

in summer 2020 I installed a new red cedar pergola/deck, As far as I can tell I went thru the new deck prep very carefully and 12 months after install I used the clean/brightener and then applies 1 coat of AC semi transparent stain. less than 1 year after applying the stain, the entire area became very black and awful looking. I assumed this was some kind of oxidation and I recently (summer 2022) applied the step 1 cleaner and it 100% removed all the stain, it now looks like it did when it was new, no stain at all.  what did I do wrong?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeff

The prep products should only be used when recoating, not for general cleaning.

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Admin
1 year ago

Sand off the current stain and then use the Mahogany color. 

Gail
Gail
1 year ago
Reply to 

Thank you.  Are you referring to the Mahogany color for Hardwoods?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Gail

Yes.

Gail
Gail
1 year ago

We have a Brazilian Mahoney Greenhouse window that needs refinishing/staining. See attached photos.  What type of stain do you recommend for this type of wood?  Thank you.

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Admin
1 year ago

Yes, you can use their prep products.

Alex Houghton
Alex Houghton
1 year ago
Reply to 

And regarding putting Armstrong Clark semi-trans or transparent on a new cedar deck after a month of weathering…. what do you think? Please see attached deck photos.

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex Houghton

No. Has to be 3 or months then prep. 

Gail
Gail
1 year ago

Can I use your stain or which stain would you recommend for a teak outdoor bench?  This bench (photo attached) was previously stained with Sikkens Cetol DEK FInish about 12 years ago.  Thank you, Gail   gmcd52@verizon.net

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Gail

Fully remove the Sikkens and then you can use of the AC Hardwood colors: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains/hardwood-and-ipe-stain

Gail
Gail
1 year ago
Reply to 

Thank you for you prompt helpful response.  Are there any other color choices for this type of AC Hardwood stains besides Mahogany, Amber and Black Walnut?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Gail

There are not. What you have on there currently is close to a Mahogany. Amber would be a little less red.

Gail
Gail
1 year ago
Reply to  Gail

Thank you again for your prompt response.  Can you offer any advice on how to remove the Sikkens?  Is sanding the only option or could it be powerwashed?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Gail
Tony
Tony
1 year ago

I finished my deck at the end of June. All KDAT lumber. How long should I wait before using the semi solid stains specifically?

Not sure if the 1-3 month rule on KDAT is only for semi-transparent stains as for non-kdat lumber semi solid has a much longer weathering time listed.

Will my wood deteriorate terribly faster if I did let it weather a winter here in Minnesota before staining either way? I plan to keep it clear of snow.

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Tony

You need 12 months for the semi-solid colors and then this to prep: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit

Your wood will be fine and snow is not going to harm it.

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1 year ago

Hi there,

New cedar fence, 3 weeks old. Can I stain in in a couple of months with semi trans cedar ? Do I need to prep it before ?

thanks
yves

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

No, you cannot stain it yet. 3 or more months. Please read the article above that explains the wait and prep.

Keith
Keith
1 year ago

New Kiln Dried PT Pine pool deck been outside for 60 days and in full sun all day installed for 30 days. Seems like it’s absorbing the water well on most places and getting a lot of cracking starting. Can I stain yet ?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Keith

1-3 months for KDAT weathering and then clean and brighten for prep with this kit: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit

Dick McWay
Dick McWay
1 year ago

I have KDAT deck boards still to be installed.  About half of deck is covered.  Should I wait a bit and do a prep after install or can I stain soon after install?  I’m planning on using the black walnut semi transparent.

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Dick McWay

With KDAT wood, wait 1-2 months, prep with the Restore A Deck Kit, then apply one coat of the black walnut.

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1 year ago

I have a hardwood (walnut I think) garage door I need to stain, door is 10 years old. Prior owner used a water based stain that’s peeling off. I will strip off the old stain and lightly sand to remove the stain. How do I prep before applying hardwood-type black walnut stain?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

Post some pics in the comments for prep help.

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1 year ago
Reply to 

Here are pics

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

You probably cannot strip it fully off. Use this kit while pressure washing: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper

With both additives: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper/restore-a-deck-stripper-additives

After it is dry, sand off the rest that cannot be stripped.

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1 year ago
Reply to 

Just to be clear, first I use the stripper plus both additives delivered through a pressure washer spray. Next sand off any remaining old stain. Next brightener and then stain?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

You apply the stripper with the additives with a pump sprayer and then pressure wash it off after dwell time. You cannot use a pressure washer to apply the stripper.

The rest is correct.

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1 year ago
Reply to 

Brightener is applied with pump sprayer too?

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

Correct.

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1 year ago

Hi, guys…..I installed new cedar decking (floor, stairs, and railings) in fall of 2020 on an existing deck and waited until summer of 2021, then cleaned with Restore A Deck and used your stain exactly per your directions.  Beautiful!  This summer of 2022, tho, I’m not sure how to proceed.  The deck boards are now very dark in color (after our Minnesota winter) even after pressure washing.  I plan to clean and stain again this summer.  Should I use Restore-A-Deck stripper first this time and then brightener, to get all of this dark coloring off?  Could some of this still be glazing that I need to work harder to get removed this time?  Thanks, and BTW I’m telling others about how happy I am with your products and advice!  With gratitude, Sue Powell

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Admin
1 year ago
Reply to 

That looks like dirt on your deck. Use the Restore A Deck Cleaner and Brightener kit for prep while pressure washing.

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