Armstrong Clark Stain Samples
Here is how our sample program works:
- Pick as many colors as you would like by placing a check next to each then click “Add to Cart”. Color swatches at bottom of the page.
- Samples are N/C but we charge $10 each to cover our shipping costs.
- Once you decide to purchase a stain from our site, you can use the money you spent towards the purchase of a 5 Gallon Pail of Stain!
- Maximum $15 discount per customer/household. Instructions on how to get a credit will be included with your samples.
*Sample program cannot be combined with any promotional discount coupons!
How To Claim Sample Credit
- Enter your sample order number into the “Comment Area” during checkout. The sample credit will be issued after the order for the 5-gallon pail is placed. Typically the next business day and will post to your Credit card or Pay Pal account within 3-8 business days.
Available Armstrong Clark Wood Stain Color Samples
Transparent Cedar Tone, Transparent Natural Tone, Transparent Redwood Tone, Amber, Mahogany, Semi-Trans Black Walnut, Semi-Trans Cedar, Semi-Trans Chestnut, Semi-Trans Driftwood Gray, Semi-Trans Natural Oak, Semi-Trans Rustic Brown, Semi-Trans Sierra Redwood, Semi-Solid Espresso, Semi-Solid Mtn. Cedar, Semi-Solid Oxford, Semi-Solid Sequoia, Semi-Solid Woodland Brown
Our deck is in the sun 8-14 hrs a day (depending on season). Would the cedar last as long as the darker color stains such as rustic brown, chestnut or natural oak?
Transparent Cedar will not last as long as a semi-transparent like Chestnut or Rustic Brown.
I stained my deck 3 days ago with semi transparent Sierra redwood but now I notice some lighter spots. Should I go over it again and do a second coat 1 week later or is that too long you wait?
You can add another coat 1 week later. Make sure that you do not over apply
I’d like to upload some pictures to see what you think but can you remove them after you look at them?
Yes, or you can edit your comment to remove them later.
Here’s a couple pictures of the deck. Please remove them after you take a look, I can’t figure out how to edit or delete my comments. Thank you very much for your input!
We would leave it as is. You can always lightly clean and add another coat next Spring if needed.
Perfect thank you very much
Can I mix different colours of semi transparent stain to obtain a custom color for myself . ( ie mix a driftwood with rustic brown ) I guess what I’m asking if would it affect the application or longevity??
Yes you can do this.
Can I mix 2 semi transparent stains to get a color tone that I want? I want a weathered tan/gray color. Natural oak is too warm and Driftwood is too gray.
Yes!
Great! Samples ordered, I’ll post pics along with mix ratios when finished!
Yes you can.
Hi Josh. I’m a professional painter. One of the things I really like about A and C stains is that you can mix the colors and make your own custom color. I just stained a barn door inside my own home where I have aged flooring. My floor is mostly Grey with hints of black, tan, dark Grey, light Grey. So I wanted my door to have some Grey in the color, but I also wanted it to look sort of tan or light brown. I mixed the Driftwood with the Chestnut color. I put 5 parts driftwood with 2 parts Chestnut. The color came out beautiful!
Does the Sierra Redwood Semi Transparent stain turn brown over time? I am applying it to cedar shingles
It fades over time.
We just had a new board fence installed. the boards are rough cut pine (not treated.) The posts are pressure treated. Someone told me I need to wait a year before applying anything to the boards to allow them to dry out? Is that true? And which product to you recommend to use?
Only smooth wood do you have to wait 3 months and prep, not rough sawn cut.
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Hi! We are using your stain on a project in California that requires we use Chemco’s fire retardant applied to the ‘hem fir’ resawn siding product we are using. Our desired result is something like the color in the attached photos from Surround Architecture. What color/product would you recommend? Espresso?
Yes, Espresso.
What stain would you recommend for these beams that are exposed to 8+ hours of sun daily? I believe it is cypress wood. What will be the closest color match as well? Thank you.
Try Rustic Brown or Black Walnut colors.
What stain would you recommend to use for these beams which receives 8+ hours of sun daily? I believe it is cypress wood.
I just installed a 1300 sq’ deck. High quality con hart but some looks like hart clear with nice veins low knots.
It has dried out somewhat yellowing, only 30 days installed. What is a nice color to stain it? Sampled amber. Will transparent redwood look too dark or semi transparent cedar look better? What is the lifespan of the stain, I’m in California, no snow and temps in 70’s to 60’s.
Thank you.
See here about new wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Any color you like will work and color choices are solely up to the consumer. Since colors vary drastically based on the age of the wood and type of wood, the only way to know how it will look on your wood and what you end up liking is to test the samples.
i have a 6 month old, pressure treated yellow pine deck. Facing south in hot sun.
I want UV protection and a very neutral or clear stain/sealer recommendation. Suggestions?
Use any of the colors that you like. Natural is the lightest. Make sure to use this kit to prep: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
We wanted our cedar deck posts to look natural, so our contractor added a clear sealant (before the posts were installed). Within 2 months the posts had turned nearly white because of the sun (lake house-facing east, Indiana). What can we use now to restore the natural color as best we can and protect this from happening again? Do we need to strip off the old sealant even though there is no beading or sign that the sealer is doing anything? If we need to, how would we strip off the old? You can see the front post is almost white while the ones in the back (in the shade) are what they should look like. We’d like to get back to natural as best we can.
Yes, you have to remove the sealer. What sealer did he use? Please post some pics of the deck.
How long does it take to receive samples in the mail?
Depends on where you live but typically 2-3 days.
Is there a good stainable wood filler that you could recommend?
Thanks,
Sorry but there is not. Wood fillers do not stain or work well with exterior wood stains.
I have a brand new deck (built with a pressure treated wood in last August). What are my options with regards to my deck looking greatest and lasting longer given the harsh Canadian winter?
Clean and prep with this:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Stain with any AC color that you like:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/wood-and-decking-stains
I have an older deck that has been stained with an oil based semi-transparent stain (Cutex, Walnut). I have stripped it but haven’t yet brightened it (that’s for tomorrow). It’s really gray. Will the semi-solid cover this “gray” shade effectively or should I look to a solid oil based stain? Also, I’m assuming you ship to Canada? If so, what delivery times should I expect?
Post some pics after applying the brightener and after the wood is dry.
Picture 1 attached
Pic #2
Pic 3
Hi John,
You have some leftover stain still on the wood. It should be removed as much as possible. BTW, if it was the same stain as the railings, it looks like a solid stain, not semi-trans. Where you did remove the stain fully, the wood looks ready to be stained and is not gray.
As for shipping time to Canada, that would depend on where in Canada. Ontario takes 2-4 business days.
The railings are all painted. The stain was not solid. The brighten really worked well by getting rid of the dull gray color. I’m still wondering about the pros & cons of a solid versus semi-solid stain. Thanks for your prompt replies.
The AC Semi-solid will penetrate better and have less chance of peeling.
Will semi solid hide wood filler repairs on deck?
No, it will not blend with deck stains unless the stains are a solid color to fully mask the filler and wood.
Can I intermix semi-trans cedar with transparent redwood? Looking to get a slightly redder version of cedar…
Yes, you can do this.
I used your products for the first time two years ago, chestnut on a cedar deck in full sun most of the time. Tried many products and after first year it need to be redone but this one has lasted. Looking good to do brown PT fence install last year and cedar pool house, garden shed and gazebo this year. All relatively new wood.
Reading other discussions and sounds like Amber is closest to the wet look. Does Amber show the grain? Would it last longer than a semi-transparent?
How does it look side by side on cedar and PT?
Amber shows the grain of the wood. It would last the same as a semi-transparent color. You would have to test it to see how it looks on your wood.
Hello. I’m deciding between Mahogany and Sierra Redwood for a new cedar fence that is in the process of being weathered outside prior to staining. I had a couple questions about the stains. Would both be recommended for cedar? Would they both offer similar longevity and UV protection? And in terms of aging, do these stains tend to darken or fade over time? Thank you, Dan
Yes, you can use any of the AC colors on cedar wood. Same longevity and UV resistance. They fade over time.
thank you! Is mahogany considered a semi-solid? And if so, does the new cedar need the same amount of time to weather before applying the stain for either of the two stains?
Mahogany is a semi-transparent. See this about new wood: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Hello. I’ve used semi transparent cedar and have been happy with it but thinking about switching to amber. What is the major difference between the two colors in terms of tone? Any special prep to move to amber? I’m
Amber is slightly lighter in color but it does vary based on wood type and age of the wood. Strip and brighten for prep.
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
Response
I love the natural colors of the mahogany deck on my covered porch which stain should I use to keep it the natural color not all one color?
You cannot keep the natural color and have UV protection from graying. You must choose a tinted color and that will enhance the grain of your wood and add color. The will still show the grain of the wood. Amber is a tinted color that will look similar to a wet look.
I purchased a 5 gallon of the Oxford Brown Semi-solid which looks great. I have a newly installed 200sq’ section of IPE hardwood and would like a color recommendation of the 3 hardwood stains that would somewhat blend if possible. thanks
You cannot blend that color and opacity with IPE wood. Black Walnut is more dark brown so probably your best option.
Do you carry water based stain?
AC does not come in water based stains.
Sorry – I meant to say Transparent Cedar tone or natural in my previous question. Not semi transparent. Thx.
Hi, I’m installing western red cedar T&G siding on a north facing wall covered by eaves, so it doesn’t get too much weather. I want to keep the look of this cedar as natural as possible. Would u suggest the semi transparent cedar or the natural? Does the natural mean it’s completely clear? I really don’t want it to get blotchy from the pigments. Also, should I oil the back side of the siding too?
Thanks so much,
A
Natural is tinted, not clear. It has to be tinted to prevent UV graying. No need to stain the backside, just the exposed wood after proper weathering and prep: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
Hi! I live in Canada, is that a problem for shipping me two samples to try? My beautiful cedar deck is one year old, and the “weather-proofing” product I put on it is still letting a lot of grey come through. It looks several years old already! The man who pressure washed my fence this spring recommended your products, but said they aren’t sold in Canada.
We sell all our stains and samples to Canada.
I have a rough sawn cedar house that now has tranformation stain on it its been abut 7 years now and would like to know which is best to use on it the sun has beaten the one side the other 3 aren’t as bad. After pressure washing of course would the semi-transparent be the best I don’t like solid stains.
Yes, use any of the semi-transparent colors.
We are laying eastern white cedar boards on our deck in Nova Scotia. About 800 sq/ft around a pool. Direct sunlight for 4-5 hours a day. Rest of the day is shaded by trees. We like the color of the cedar after it rains. What type (transparent, semi, color) to keep the same color under dry conditions. Thank you.
Amber.
Is the semi-transparent black walnut listed in the samples the same black walnut in the stain color picture card that is listed under hardwoods & softwoods? I’m staining a mahogany deck and want to make sure I use the correct stain.
Yes, there is only one Black Walnut stain.
Hello,
We do not sell a solid stain and we do not custom tint.
What is the color component of the amber and cedar stain?
Not sure what you mean.
Is Amber a transparent or semi-transparent?
It is closer to the semi-transparent.
is your company able to tone down driftwood from blue looking to a grey color.
Sorry, but we do not custom mix or modify stock colors.
In 2019, I had a semi solid stain applied to the deck, PPG Russet. Now the deck is peeling in certain areas. Will I need to remove all the stain before I apply new stain or can I clean, sand in peeling areas, and apply new stain?
You will have to fully remove the old stain before switching brands.
My husband built a deck 2+ years ago and we have used Thompson’s water seal in the spring for the last 2 years can this product be used if Thompson’s was done in spring 2021
After you remove the Thompsons, then yes. Use this kit: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper
are the amber and mahogany samples the same as the semi-transparent stains for hardwoods (my deck is Massaranduba
Correct
great … anyway I can pay expedited shipping for samples? I have a tight window on a deck
Samples ship out day after order and ship 2-day UPS from there. They cannot ship any faster.
I recently bought a house with a deck that has not been maintained well and is currently grey. Should I use one of the semi solid stains or would I be able to use the Mahogany hardwood stain? I read somewhere that your semi solid stains were best for old wood but I love the Mahogany color.
You can use any of the colors that you want after proper prep:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/restore-a-deck-kit
Make sure to test the colors as they will vary based on wood type and age of the wood.
Covering about 1500 sf of new fencing.
about how much product would I need?
thanks!
About 10-15 gallons for two coats.
Covering about 1500 sf of new horizontal slat redwood fence, rough texture wood common con.
put in 3 weeks ago. Dry climate. Full sun. Clean fresh fence.
can i proceed with a semi-transparent stain without the clean and prep steps?
about how much product would I need for 1500 sf of coverage?
one coat sufficient?
on horizontal pickets do I roll on horizontally with the grain or is traditional up and down okay?
Would you recommend a roller for the big parts/
6 “ picket boards ? Brush for posts and finer detail?
spongy fluffy roller or tighter fibers?
acrylic or natural fibers on brushes rollers?
thanks!
If rough sawn you can stain now as long as wood is dry. Probably will need two coats. Go with grain. Not a roller. Stain pads and brushes.
Thanks for speedy reply.
how long to dry in between coats ?
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/armstrong-clark-staining-instructions
Hi….we had a new deck built and completed 11/1/2021. Trex deck on horizontal including stair treads, and pressure treated pine on all verticals, rails and bench. We have waited long enough for staining (in TN). Do I need to pressure wash the verticals and bench with the RAD? How do I know how much stain to order for the verticals and bench?
See here about new wood.
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
as for how much product, we would need a total sq footage of all wood added up that is to be stained.
No, you cannot use the 30 Second Cleaner for prep and it will not strip/remove a previous stain and is a very poor performing product as well if you read the reviews. You need to use a stripper and then brighten to remove the Cabot.
The RAD Stripper/Brightener Kit is EXTREMELY INEXPENSIVE for a kit and is cheaper than any other product on the market that is comparable for the price and quantity you receive.
Can you apply two coats of Armstrong Clark stain, one week apart, to get a darker color and to provide more protection? I stainedd two sample test boards, one with semi-transparent Cedar and one with semi-transparent Natural Oak, and the sample boards don’t have the desired color. I’m thinking two coats would also provide more protection.
Yes but make sure you do not overapply.
I JUST ORDERED A SAMPLE OF OXFORD BROWN. THE AD PICTURE SHOWS 3 SMALL CANS. IS THAT WHAT I’M GOING TO RECEIVE?
One.
I just read on your tip sheet that a newly installed fence should not be stained until 3-4 months. Is the correct?
Yes.
Gazebo pic
Another pic
We have a new fence and would like to match it with our gazebo. Both are cedar and neither has been stained. Which stain would you suggest to match the two and maintain it’s natural beauty.
Any color you like will work since they are both unstained. See here about new wood tips: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain
New construction home with wood fence that wraps around the property; fence has been there since July. Can I stain with “Hardwoods & Softwoods” colors? Also, what two colors can I combine to achieve the closest to an off black? I know I cannot use semi-solids because the wood is less than a year old.
You can stain it with any color that you like. The darkest color is Black Walnut. Nothing would be blacker and you cannot mix it blacker.
“You can stain it with any color that you like.”Meaning I can use semi-solid as well? Correct me if I am incorrect. It’s a plain ole wooden fence, typical new construction track home type.
You have to follow the new wood tips: https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/new-decking-and-armstrong-clark-stain