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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  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Dennis McSweeney · 12/24/2015
    I have a new "rough" redwood fence. Why do I need to wait? What is the downside of applying the stain now? I live in CA, if that matters.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 10/04/2015
    pamelawwallace@gmail.com:
    I just completed installation of a western red cedar deck. The wood was purchased from a local dealer - under cover, but outdoors. It was stacked with shims in my yard for a month while framing etc. was completed. Now complete, my question is whether to pre-treat and stain now, wait a few weeks with uncertain temps (live in upstate NY), or wait until spring

    See this article:

    http://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain

    You should wait until Spring.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    pamela wallace · 10/02/2015
    I just completed installation of a western red cedar deck. The wood was purchased from a local dealer - under cover, but outdoors. It was stacked with shims in my yard for a month while framing etc. was completed. Now complete, my question is whether to pre-treat and stain now, wait a few weeks with uncertain temps (live in upstate NY), or wait until spring
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 09/29/2015
    Amanda:
    I have a new western red cedar deck. Covered. Not kiln dried, but the sawmill had the wood for approx. 3 years before our installation. Installed for 2 weeks only. The wood is still a little rough after killing and my husband wants to sand the entire deck. We're in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and winter is fast approaching. Can we sand? Can we apply stain now? Or should we wait for spring?

    Might be too hard to do now with the weather and it may not take. Prep with a cleaner and wood brightener and sand lightly only if needed.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Amanda · 09/28/2015
    I have a new western red cedar deck. Covered. Not kiln dried, but the sawmill had the wood for approx. 3 years before our installation. Installed for 2 weeks only. The wood is still a little rough after killing and my husband wants to sand the entire deck. We're in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and winter is fast approaching. Can we sand? Can we apply stain now? Or should we wait for spring?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 06/25/2015
    Char Wolff:
    1) If installing a KILN DRIED western red cedar deck, do you still recommend waiting 2-4 months before prepping?
    2) Would it be advisable to stain the underside and ends prior to installing, then wait the 2-4 months before prepping and staining the top?

    No need to stain the undersides or ends. With kiln dried you can stain sooner. Install and weather a few weeks. You will need to prep with the RAD Kit and just one coat of the stain.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Char Wolff · 06/24/2015
    1) If installing a KILN DRIED western red cedar deck, do you still recommend waiting 2-4 months before prepping?
    2) Would it be advisable to stain the underside and ends prior to installing, then wait the 2-4 months before prepping and staining the top?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 05/19/2015
    Mka:
    I just installed a pressure treated wooden fence this week, and would like to use AC to protect it. Does it work on pressure treated fences? Is the drying wait time also 2-4 months? I live in Central Florida.
    Thanks for your response,
    Mka

    Yes you can use the AC on pressure treated wood. Is the fence wood smooth or rough sawn. If rough you can stain right away as long as the wood is dry. If smooth then you will need to wait 3 months and clean and brighten of the prep.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Mka · 05/19/2015
    I just installed a pressure treated wooden fence this week, and would like to use AC to protect it. Does it work on pressure treated fences? Is the drying wait time also 2-4 months? I live in Central Florida.
    Thanks for your response,
    Mka
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 03/23/2015
    Karen Daniels:
    I am going to buy the AC Hardwood Stain for my tigerwood deck and rails. Can I apply it to a deck of new clear pine and cedar posts after waiting 2-4 months? Am wondering about the penetration of the hardwood stain vs. the regular stain for pine and cedar.

    Thanks,

    Karen

    Yes you can apply it after prep and waiting 2-4 months. The penetration is the same.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Karen Daniels · 03/23/2015
    I am going to buy the AC Hardwood Stain for my tigerwood deck and rails. Can I apply it to a deck of new clear pine and cedar posts after waiting 2-4 months? Am wondering about the penetration of the hardwood stain vs. the regular stain for pine and cedar.

    Thanks,

    Karen
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Administrator · 03/21/2015
    james gagon:
    I have a new covered redwood deck, it has weathered for 5 months, can I sand it all, clean it then stain it ? (just not sure about sanding and acceptance of stain)

    No need to sand. Just clean and brighten for the prep.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    james gagon · 03/20/2015
    I have a new covered redwood deck, it has weathered for 5 months, can I sand it all, clean it then stain it ? (just not sure about sanding and acceptance of stain)