Amber and Mahogany colors for Exotic Hardwoods.
Mahogany is the go to choice for Exotic Hardwoods such as IPE and has shown better color retention than any other Exotic Hardwood Stain!
Armstrong’s deck and siding wood stain have nondrying conditioning oils that separate from the drying side of the formula. These oils penetrate deep into the deck or siding wood fiber where the wood’s natural oils used to be. This process rejuvenates the wood. The drying oils stay at the surface, lock in the conditioning oils and create a dry to the touch barrier. Armstrong’s deck and siding wood stain formulas also contain vegetable oils, transparent oxide pigments, water repellents, mildewcide and solvent.
Quality is what Armstrong-Clark brings to you. Backed by five generations of oil based coatings experience, coupled with modern technology, Armstrong-Clark can meet and exceed your need for oil based wood coatings.
- Can be applied in direct sunlight and heat of day. If the first coat penetrates within 30 minutes a second coat can be applied for extra protection.
- Easily applied by brush, roller, garden sprayer or airless spray equipment.
When spraying – back-rolling or brushing will help even out appearance. If there are any puddles or glossy spots after 24 hours, remove with dry rag. - Non-drying oils penetrate deep to recondition older wood.
- Drying oils, pigments and water repellents protect against water and UV damage and lock in the nondrying oils.
- Complies with all government environmental standards.
- No offensive odor.
Coverage:
Armstrong-Clark Wood Deck Stain applies at about 150-200 feet per gallon. Actual coverage varies depending on wood porosity.
I’ve been using the AC hardwood stains for 10 years on my Mahogany deck. Originally used the mahogany color, then moved to amber for a lighter look.
I just added about 100 sqft to the deck and when I stained it it took a nicer color than the older boards. See the picture.
If I have the deck sanded, can I expect the sanded surface to look like the new boards?
I’m also looking at the Defy crystal clear. How would you compare the results between Defy and AC?
thanks for your help. You guys are a great resource!
You cannot make new wood and old wood match. The new wood will be less absorbent, so it will stain differently. If you sand it all, it may help to blend it better. Do not sand finer than 60-80 grit. The Defy Clear will provide no color and will not have as much UV protection as the amber.
Thanks Scott. Makes sense. BTW I didn’t worry about blending this time, just wanted to coat before fall. I was thinking about the clear because I figured that the old wood would absorb more color, which wouldn’t matter for clear. I plan to sand in any case because some of the older wood doesn’t clean up uniformly with chemical/power wash.
I got some samples from Defy of clear and light walnut and stained the same board on opposite ends (new wood). In this picture the Clear is to the left, Light Walnut right. In the middle of my AC Amber boards. I will leave this out over the winter to see how they all do, but it seems to me that the tinted stain is more uniform and that the color is more dependent on the underlying board color than the tint.
FYI, if you use the Defy Clear, it will need to be stripped off if you go back to a tinted color later.
You used to sell a plastic tray and 18″ pad (attach to broomstick, for example)) for staining an ipe deck. I get one every other year. I couldn’t find it on your site. Do you still sell this, or something similar? Thanks much
The manufacturer stopped making those. Use this floor brush in 14″: https://www.opwdecks.com/deck-floor-staining-push-brush.htm
I used Messmer’s UV Plus to rejuvenate a 20 year old IPE deck last year – I liked the color but it faded quickly. Weighing Armstrong Mahogany vs Restore Deck this year – any opinions? I plan to use left over Messmers products to clean and brighten before staining. Many thanks for your insight.
Try the Armstrong. We have had many people switch from Messmers to it. The Restore-A-Deck in Light Walnut is excellent as well for IPE.
Thank you!
Does the black walnut sain last as long as the mahogany? (I’ve used amber and mahagony and mahogny lass longer). How does he black walnut compare? Thank you – G
Yes, it will last just as long as the Mahogany.
Is black walnut suitable for IPE decks? You have 3 color choices now, but then mention just amber and mahogny for IPE, and that mahogany lasts the longest. What is the info on black walnut? Thanks much
Yes, the Black Walnut is a hardwood color and works very well for IPE wood.
I have a 7 year old mahogany deck that has never been treated. We purposely let it age to achieve a grey Nantucket look ( we live on the coast near Cape Cod). The wood is now looking very dirty and dark grey(full southern exposure). Also starting to splinter due to dryness. Would love to keep it looking grey but not sure if possibly without compromising the integrity of the wood itself. Trying to avoid a “painted” look by applying semi-transparent grey stain. What are you recommendations?
You will have to remove the oxidation/gray first. Use these kits:
https://www.opwdecks.com/rad-300.htm
Once prepped, use a penetrating semi-transparent gray stain. It will not look painted. Try Driftwood Gray by AC:
https://www.opwdecks.com/armstrong-clark-stain-1-gallon.htm
I ordered samples of the 3 colors available in the AC Hardwoods/IPE stain to use on a new mahogany deck and stair treads. Sharing this photo so that other homeowners can see how different the colors look on the same mahogany board.
Can you please tell me what stain and color they are?
If you click on the picture, it shows the Armstrong Clark stain brand and the color of each can in the cans behind each.
Should I use AC Amber or Mahogany to restore the beautiful colors of my tigerwood/IPE deck?
Either one. Color preference is up to you.
AC amber on new ipe test boards changed the reddish brown color to brown. What’s the best way to keep the look of a natural wet ipe color?
Amber is closest to a wet look.
Would a second coat to the lighter boards be a bad idea? Thanks, Catharine
Try one board to see if it dries okay.
I have a (I’m told) new Mahogany wood deck (Fall 2020). It did look mahogany when constructed. It was not oiled/stained then and has weathered to a pale grey. I have used the RAD kit to wash and brighten it. Now it is a pale grey-pink. So I have stained half the boards, one-by-one with brush, with the AC “mahogany” hardwood stain (I ordered “IPE” but the cans you sent don’t say that). I gave one coat. When wet, the boards look lovely. Now that they are dry (about 48 hours in, no stain coming off on cloth or my feet), the boards do not look uniform in coloration. Before I stained, I did take moisture meter readings: boards read between 6% – 12% moisture. Why would the boards come up so differently in color? Am I brushing too hard? Are they too dry? (I am attaching photos: one a closeup of some stained boards, another wider shot showing the still-unstained pale boards to the side.) What can I do to remedy this strange coloration? Thanks, Catharine
That is the wood grain for each board and how it takes the stain. It has nothing to do with the stain, moisture % or how you are applying it. There is not a way to remedy it as it is the wood itself causing this.
I have an Ice railing system, we have cleaned and used mesmers UV and it looks great when done, the deep reddish brown color. It only last about 18 months and starts to fade. We are thinking of changing to Armstrong Clark hardwood stain and can’t decide between amber or mahogany. We love the look of the reddish ipe after we used mesmeric. Which AC color should we use Amber or Mahogany? Thank you
Amber.
can you stain a tigerwood deck with armstrong clark mahogany and then put a transparent IPE oil on for further protection? Would that cause any problem for future years treatment?
No, you can never top coat over deck stain.
In powerwashing my Ipe deck I have borne down too hard on certain spots, making them brighter than the surrounding word. Ipe oil works well overall but does not darken these spots enough to blend them. Should I sand and use a more darkly stained oil on these areas?
You cannot spot fix this by applying a darker color. The only way to fix would be to sand it all evenly o the stain would then apply and dry evenly.
I have exterior mahogany furniture AKA bright work AKA boat trim Can I put a clear top coat for added protection ie varnish, urethane or lacquer
No, that will peel and create a major issue with trying to fix when it does.
Disaster the carpenter that installed my Mahogany deck used some clear coat product, it was like an ice skating rink initially, had a harsh winter the following summmer, the seal coat was peeling it looked awful. Solution complete sanding of the entire deck. Then the Two Step cleaning process you can purchase here then the Armstrong Mahogany stain. I repeat this process every two years, harsh winters do a job on wood in general. Note to self get an expert to do a particular job, carpernter to build, painter to paint.
I live in Los Angeles and I have an ipe wood deck that get high sun exposure. About three years ago I used Ipe Oil Hardwood Deck Finish on the deck and it looked great for about 18 months before greying out. Unbeknownst to me, California changed the VOC from 250 to 100, so Ipe Oil stopped selling and I was forced to used Penofin, which lasted maybe 6 months before greying out. I’ve sanded the deck twice and used two coats of Penofin both times but the deck grays out within six months. Will the Armstrong wood stain last longer, or because the VOC is also 100, will it also grey out within six months? If so, do you have a recommendation for an ipe treatment that is better than the oils, or a treatment that will extend the life of the oils?
Only the LA counties switched to the 100 VOC, the rest of the state is 250. AC is much better than the Penofin but your wood does require recoating annually.
I am sanding the old Sikkens Cetol transparent stain off my mahogany porch and want to use Armstrong Clark on it. Do I sand, then RAD clean, then RAD brightener, then AC 1 coat? (Are both the cleaner and brightener necessary when removing a finish with a sander?)
Yes, all the correct steps.
What is the best stain from Accoya treated wood?
One of the 3 hardwood colors.
Hi – I applied AC Mahogony last Spring and was going to apply a maintenance coat this Spring. Can i just power wash and apply or is it necessary to use a RAD cleaner/brightener?
You will need to use the prep kit.
i have Jensen ipe table and chairs on my deck. I clean and re-oil every year. I have used Penofin and Ipe Oil but i cannot get it back to the original dark color that the ipe was when we bought it. What would you suggest i use? Thanks
You will have to strip and brighten it first: https://www.opwdecks.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper.htm
Then use the AC in amber.
is the amber really going to give me the dark original color of ipe?
It darkens like a clean wet look.
I have a new IPE dock int he Florida Keys. Looking for a suggestion for a sealer that will not change the color but will provide protection and a glossy look when dry. Dock is 60′ x 6′
You must have a tint for UV protection and that means it will enhance or change the color. You cannot have a gloss to exterior decking. It will peel and blister. Basically what you would like to do is impossible.
I made that mistake with Glossy finish on my mahogany deck. The carpenter who built the deck suggested that, a good carpenter but not a person to give information on staining. The deck looked great for one season, winter and snow the neck season the deck had peeled and looked terrible. Ever since I have used Armstrong Hardwood Deck Stain. Also an added negative for those who think glossy is cool, you slip and slide on it like an ice skating rink. IMHO
I have used the Armstrong Mahogany in the past. Looks great and goes on very easy. Can you tell me should my mahogany deck be stained every year? My handrails are cedar, is this stain appropriate for those? Thanks
Mahogany wood being a hardwood does require annual applications for most scenarios. You can use it for the cedar as well.
I have a mahogany deck, which previously had ATO applied. I opted to completely sand the deck back to original wood finish and am now looking at the amber stain for hardwood. My question, likely hard to answer, will this provide a even amber color, or will it allow some of the natural color or shade variation that products like Penofin oil provide? I am hoping for more of the later. Understanding all results rely on me following proper steps, etc. Thank you
The Amber highlights the natural grain of your wood so if it has variations in the wood then it will show hen stained.
perfect, thank you for your quick response.
canit be shipped to canada
Yes.
you never gave me prep steps on what to do next ? you never told me if washing deck with dish soap was okay? you never told me advise on steps for staining custum rails ? i want product deliverd to me , for i have no passport, it use to be easy to cross the border with no passport so your site says canada excepts armstrong clark ? can you help me or not thankyou
See this for the proper prep: https://www.opwdecks.com/best-selling-cleaner.htm
Use a staining brush like this for the spindles: https://www.opwdecks.com/wooster-4-pro-stain-brush.htm
hi store , it took me many hours of research, to get here on your site , love your info here, im a newbe to painting a deck , i like to perform a professonal job, i strive for perfection, So my pt deck is 10 years old, never had anything done to it, i just pressure washed deck with dish soap , the rinse left elgy on , i dont think this was the proper proceedure , could you please advise me on proper steps from prep to stain at this point, i also have spiral rails which i need guidence how to aproach staining them, i am confused with proper steps, and high quality products to use , i would like to semi transparent oil stain it, info said that it was best choice for longgevity and easy repeat maitenance ? then i heard the restore deck stain save time and money on repeating , is this a better way to go than semi oil transparent on quallity, maitenance, life ware, and fade ? need your guidence thankyou very much appraitiated, i live in canada ontario, i would like to purchase from your store , your products have a higher quality , and thats what everybody on this site strives for. thankyou for your service.
For your environment, I would suggest the Armstrong Clark.
Hello all, I recently power-washed my deck without doing any pre-wash treatment. (I wish I found this website sooner) The previously gray deck now looks like a nice reddish/brown color, however I have some ‘lap marks’ from the power washer. (See picture) I just purchased the Armstrong hardwood stain in mahogany. Do I need to correct the lap marks somehow or will the stain help blend it all together? Thanks for the help!
Those are stop marks from the pressure washer and will show when stained. Best to redo the prep using the Restore A Deck Prep products. Might need the stripper/brightener kit as well.
Hi, I live in central Ontario, Canada and I’m in the process of building a new deck. Material is Treated Lumber (MicroPro Sienna Brown Treated). The deck is 9ft above ground level and on the south side of the house. I plan to wait until at least the fall or next spring to stain. I also travel through the US frequently and I’m not limited to any VOC Restrictions. What would be the best product to use? Standard A-C, IPE A-C, TWP100, TWP1500 or something else?
FYI, Canada is limited to 250 VOC restrictions, Best options would the Armstrong Clark or the TWP 200 Series for Canada.
[quote name=”Evgeny”]Hello.
It is time to re-apply Armstrong Clark Hardwood on my Kauy Batu hard wood deck. Before it was stained with Amber stain. Would it be enough to apply Restore-A-Deck kit to use Mahogany color stain or I have to use anything else? Thank you![/quote]
Yes, that prep will work.
Hello.
It is time to re-apply Armstrong Clark Hardwood on my Kauy Batu hard wood deck. Before it was stained with Amber stain. Would it be enough to apply Restore-A-Deck kit to use Mahogany color stain or I have to use anything else? Thank you!
[quote name=”Phylis Latour”]I am stripping tiger wood which previously had bee done with Australian Timber Oil. Some of the wood seems dark after stripping and applying restore a deck. What Am I doing to cause this? Is this a problem to restrain the wood and would I have to use a dark stain. I used the Amber sample turned white with rain but came back to original color when dry . Is this normal? Please help as I am almost ready to stain. Also can Amber color be mixed with the dark walnut to lighten it to a medium brown? Thank You[/quote]
Did you use the wood brightener after the stripping? The Amber is not supposed to turn white. You can mix the colors if desired.
I am stripping tiger wood which previously had bee done with Australian Timber Oil. Some of the wood seems dark after stripping and applying restore a deck. What Am I doing to cause this? Is this a problem to restrain the wood and would I have to use a dark stain. I used the Amber sample turned white with rain but came back to original color when dry . Is this normal? Please help as I am almost ready to stain. Also can Amber color be mixed with the dark walnut to lighten it to a medium brown? Thank You
Use the AC in one of the Hardwood colors of Amber or Mahogany. The versions are the same.
what stain should I use on Malaysian hardwood tongue and groove decking,(blue Star brand) its 1×4″ x8′ boards, should I coat all of them before installation?
Armstrong Clark Stain
or
Armstrong Clark Hardwood/Ipe Stain
It should work as long as it is prepped well. All old coatings will need to be removed first.
Here in CA we have horrible VOC laws and the water based stains I’ve tried are horrible. The AC seems similar to Watco so I’m thinking it might be a good option. What are your thoughts on using the AC product on this project?
You have to remove the Defy. The AC will not work or it. Yes the AC products are all the same.
My IPE deck is probably 10 to 12 years old. I origninally use Penefin the first couple years but found that to be near useless then I switched to your Defy product. Looked great the first year needed a little touchup the 2nd year the first time, 3rd year I stripped and repeated. That was 3 years ago … point being there have been several coats. This year I am trying your oil based Armstrong product. In the area where the sun is all the time the old stain comes off fairly ease, however in the area under the awning it just doesn’t budge, even with restore a deck and a 4000 psi pressure washer. Of course this is the area of the deck that always looked good and never really need refinishing. My question is, how important is it the old Defy come off before the oil based goes on? Also, are all Armstrong products the same? I don’t see the work IPE or hardwood on the can anywhere.
Rich W, No that is not possible. It will ruin the finish if you were to try that.
I recently stained my mahogany deck with the Armstrong Clark amber stain I ordered from you. It looks nice, but looks even better when it’s wet after it’s rained (the wood looks darker and the wood grain looks amazing). Is there any type of clear sealer or oil you can recommend that I can put over the armstrong clark stain that will give it that wet look all the time?
Wayne, use the Restore A Deck stripper and lightly pressure wash to remove the Penofin first. Once removed and dry for a day or two, you can apply the AC.
Can Armstrong Hardwood IPE mahogany stain be applied directly over a 1 year age coating of Penofin Rosewood Oil, on IPE deck? If not, what treatment or cleaning is required prior to application of the Armstrong product ?
Yes it works on old decking. No it is not slippery. No dealers there but we can ship to you. After the sanding you should use a deck cleaner and wood brightener for further prep before applying the stain.
Old decking material 22 y old at least
going into back door. We cleaned it dried and aplied Sherwin Williams Deck Scapes. Dried 3 days it rained and started coming up right away.I am in the process of stripping will have to sand etc.
Does your Stain work on 22 y o deck? Is it slippery?
Is it available in Toledo, Ohio ?
Amber would give you a light tint similar to if the wood was wet with water.
We just had a load o fthe wood delivered and I’m looking at purchasing this stain. We want a natural color, is this the amber color?
Regards
Frank
You can use either for cedar.
I was wondering if I should get the Armstrong hardwood stain or just the regular stain for my new cedar deck. It is facing south and I live in Canada so it gets cold weather and snow in the winter and hot sun in the summer.