This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior hardwood decking. My Armstrong Clark hardwood deck stain review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain tips. See here for more info about me.
Armstrong Clark Hardwood Stain Reviews
Armstrong Clark Hardwood Stain
A high-solid pigmented finish made from heavy and light-bodied oils specially formulated for application on unpainted hardwoods. Heavy-bodied oils provide water repellency. Extra pigments provide enhanced color retention on hardwoods. Light-bodied oils combined with solvent penetrate into the wood. Armstrong’s Semi-Transparent Hardwood Finishes repels water, retains color longer, and reduces the frequency of re-coats on maintenance-intensive hardwoods.
Important Note: Testing for Exotic Hardwood Deck Stains
Exotic hardwoods such as IPE are extremely dense and difficult to penetrate. When stained, these wood types will always fade faster than other woods such as Cedar, Redwood, and Pine. Testing for exotic hardwoods will be changed to 1 year instead of 2 years.
Armstrong Clark Hardwood Stain
How I Rated Armstrong Clark Hardwood Deck Stain
My Armstrong Clark hardwood deck stain review contains an 8-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10.
- The appearance of Armstrong Clark hardwood deck stain after Application
- Preventing UV Graying
- Peeling or Wearing for Armstrong Clark hardwood deck stain
- Cost Per Square Foot
- Preventing Mold and Mildew
- How Easy was the Armstrong Clark hardwood deck stain Application
- Color Shifting
- Ease of Reapplication
- Armstrong Clark hardwood deck stain Final Score
8-Step Review of Armstrong Clark Hardwood Deck Stain
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9
The Armstrong Clark in Mahogany had a very rich look on our IPE test deck. We applied one coat of the Mahogany color to enhance the natural colors of the IPE with a reddish-brown color. The stain did not film on the surface but was absorbed into the wood.
Armstrong Clark Wood Stain Photos
2. Preventing UV Graying at 1 Year Mark: 8
We found that Armstrong Clark in Mahogany outperformed all other Hardwood deck stains when it comes to color retention on Ipe. Many of the stains we tested had lost color within 8 months, while Armstrong still had a decent amount of color. See the picture below for a sample board that we tested.
3. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 9
Armstrong Clark Hardwood stain did not peel on our test deck. A small amount of wear was noticeable around the door. Armstrong penetrates very well into IPE wood.
13 Months AC Mahogany
4. Cost Per Square Foot: 8
Armstrong Clark retails for $43.99 per gallon for the hardwood colors. We used 1 gallon of stain for our 300 sq. foot IPE test deck. This is very reasonable for a quality stain.
5. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 8
We had a small amount of black mold growing on the stain after 13 months. Very minor but worth noting.
6. Ease of Application: 9
We are fans of AC staining when it comes to applications. It absorbs deeply, spreads far, and dries evenly. Less excess stain to back wipe than other hardwood deck coatings that we have tested.
7. Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 8
As you can see from the picture above, Armstrong in the Mahogany fades in color and does not darken or turn black.
8. The Difficulty of Reapplication: 9
The AC needs to be cleaned with a deck cleaner to remove the small amount of mold and dirt or grime. Once this was done, a light coating of stain would need to be reapplied to restore the color and prolong the graying better.
Overall Score Armstrong Clark Hardwood Stain at 1-Year Period: 8.5
Thus far, we have yet to test or see a hardwood deck stain perform better than the Armstrong Clark on IPE when it comes to fading. We have also used the Amber color that they offer. It fades a little faster than the Mahogany but still retains excellent overall color.
Easy to apply, Excellent color retention, and no issues with reapplication on an annual basis.
Product Information:
More Info: ArmstrongClarkStain.com
Cost: $49.99 per Gallon, $254.99 per 5 Gallon Pail
Stain Type: Oil-Based Stains for Exotic Woods
Available Colors: Hardwood Amber, Hardwood Mahogany
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 1 Coat
Coverage Per Gallon: 200-300 sq. ft on exotic hardwoods
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 4-12 Hours
Cleanup: Mineral Spirits
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in All 50 States
More Info: Product Data
Manufacturer: Armstrong Clark
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: IPE
Deck Square Footage: 300
UV Exposure: Full Sun
How Many Years Tested: 1 Year
Stain Color Used: Mahogany
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Consider that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
The Best IPE Hardwood Deck Stain Video – DeckStainHelp.com
I am installing a tigerwood deck this summer. I was under the impression that you should not use a stain on the exotic woods, just a penetrating oil. This appears to be a stain, not an oil. So now I am a bit confused as to why you recommend it. Please explain.
You must have a “stain” if you want UV protection from graying. Clear oils will not prevent graying. This product is a penetrating oil-based stain that comes in 3 different colors tones for exotic hardwoods.
I also have anther huge new ipe deck. Because of my bad experience on my first deck, I have let the new deck grey. At two years in the color is starting to darken.
Should I clean/brighten and try the Armstrong Clark? The house siding is cedar, so I don’t want to stain it with the deck treatment.
What is the recommended treatment for an untreated deck two years in?
Clean and brighten the wood for the deck and stain with the AC.
Here is a pic of the current condition of the wood.
It looks good to stain.
I have a 450 sq ft ipe deck. Like many here I was using Penofin with great initial results, but quickly darkening, ruining the whole affect. Over the last 4-5 years I have just let it go.
This year I decided to try again. I power washed it gently and it looks pretty natural at this point. I’m going to try the Armstrong Clark Mahogany.
Do I need to use Restore-A-Deck and brighter on the freshly power-washed surface?
Thanks for the help. Great website.
Scott
Did the same thing in the past and you most definitely need to clean and brighten check out DIY tips on cleaning. I have had such good luck with this product that I called the company to rave about it and and one of the owners actually called me and thanked me.
I hired a company to build a large deck made of tiger wood (2000sq feet). They installed it during the winter months(Nebraska). They stained it in April with TWP. They did a sloppy job and the wood faded in a couple of months. They came back and cleaned the deck and stained it with Behr penetrating oil. Again the deck fade in a couple of months. Help. I don’t know if I can get the contractor to do it a third time but I felt all along they were using the wrong product. Now what?
Strip and brighten the wood for prep. The AC works very well but your wood type does require annual coatings: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/hardwood-deck-stain-tips-for-ipe/
I have a Cumaru deck that was oiled with IPE oil and it last 3-5 months so I am getting tired of re-coating it. Can I go over the oil when it fades a bit again with this product and use the same product for another section that has PT 2×6 lumber?
You cannot go over it but you can easily prep the wood by removing the IPE Oil with the Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit.
We just installed an Ipe deck inside our screen porch that is quite shaded, except for some outside steps. We would like to keep the natural deep reddish brown color of the Ipe. It should like AC Hardwood stain might be the way to go on this covered space. What color is most “natural” for Ipe? Also, is there any reason to go for Defy instead? And would you use a different product on the outside steps and handrail? We are hoping to get more than one year on the shady porch and just re-do the outside Ipe annually. Also, I presume we would need to clean the mill finish from the wood first? Thank you!
Amber is the lightest tint in the AC. No reason to use Defy. Use the same stain for all areas. Prep with a deck cleaner and a wood brightener.
I have a 20 year old Ipe deck. I have periodically kept up with the staining. Every few years I have invested the time and energy into a full power washing and reapplication of Penofin. I love the richness of the color after the application, but it fades so quickly that I get discouraged. That is why I haven’t really kept it up on an annual basis. Too much work in a coastal New Eng environment. I have over 400′ of decking and a shower stall with about 500 sq ft of wall or 1000 sf ft of surface. So it is quite a project. (btw… no checked or warped boards after 20 years!)
But as I read this q&A thread and more about AC it sounds as if an annual application. I am considering a full power wash again this year and if the AC is as good as it sounds, next year with a good deck cleaning, I should be able to reapply the AC mahogany and refresh the finish??
I’d like to hear from those who reapply AC annually and their results. Does the rich hue jump out? Is AC the way to go?
Yes, that is correct and AC works very well for Ipe.
I have Ipe patio furniture and I have used Penofin Verde in the past. I find that, in the Florida sun, it fades very fast, with most of the color gone in 3 months, and gray again in a year. It’s a lot of detail work to prepare and stain furniture, so I’d like the color to last longer. Would Penofin Hardwood formula work better than Penofin Verde? Or would I be better off switching to Armstrong Clark or Deckwise IPE Oil?
Stay away from the Penofin. Try the Armstrong Clark in Amber or Mahogany. Make sure to prep first by removing the Verde.
I have a large Tigerwood deck and have previously used IPE Oil. I love the look with the IPE Oil but it did not last a full year and the application process is tedious with all the wiping of the excess to avoid sticky spots. I would like to switch to AC as it seems to last a little longer and is easier to apply. Would the AC hardwood stain in Mahogany be appropriate for Tigerwood?
Yes you can use it for Tigerwood. The AC cannot be back wiped to remove excess stain. Apply one light coat and let it fully soak in and dry. Make sure to prep by removing the IPE Oil.
FYI, your wood type does require annual reapplication.
I have heard you should finish all 4 sides of wood planks prior to installation and by some that you should let the wood weather 6-8 weeks before refinishing. Which is correct?
Armstrong Clark wants 3 months of weathering and proper prep before applying the stain. See this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
No advantage or need to stain all sides.
New Ipe dock installed in South Carolina a month ago and would like to stain. Based on what I have read on this site, AC in Amber might provide the closest to natural color of the Ipe. Will Amber by itself provide the best color retention over the next year or should I mix with mahogany to get more pigment? My builder and local paint store have also warned against pressure washing as that potentially can raise the wood fibers. Advised to use a brush with cleaner and then light water pressure to rinse. With relative newness of dock, what cleaner should I use before staining?
The Amber is tinted and should last about the same as their Mahogany color. Pressure washing lightly with a deck cleaner wiil not harm the wood.
Hello, i am working on restoring a large white oak picnic table for a client of mine. It has been treated with various stains over the last 6 or 7 years and none have lasted longer than 2-3 months. I am going to be replacing the table top and bench tops with new boards here in the next week or two and am trying to find the best stain i can to put on it, fully understanding that nothing is going to last forever and i will probably have to retreat the flat surfaces at least once a year. Mainly looking for best bang for the buck and ease of
re-applications over time. Any help/advice would be appreciated for the White Oak.
The AC hardwood colors should work here. Look at the Amber tint.
I am working a deck which was last finished around 1978 in a dark red oil paint which has worn off in high traffic areas, but is well bonded over ~50% of the deck. The deck itself is constructed out of 2″x4″ softwood (pine/fir.)
I just want to cover it & have it more even in color. Normally I’d hunt down the same oil paint, but they’re gone extinct.
Can this hardwood stain work on my circumstance?
NO. You cannot apply this over a paint.
What deck cleaner do you recommend for IPE when using the Armstrong Clark stain? Thank you!
Any quality deck cleaner should work: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/category/deck-product-reviews/deck-cleaner-reviews/
I am going to apply the AC stain on my IPE deck. What happens next year when it has faded off in areas? do I have to clean the whole deck to get it all gray, or if I stain again without removing the old stain will it be blotchy?
Just prep with a deck leaner and reapply a light coat. It will be even.
Hello Deck Stain (and everyone),
Great site.
I am having a brand new deck/fence installed in Long Island, NY and am carefully reading reviews of stains.
The new wood I am installing is Meranti Mahogany from Speonk Lumber.
It seems from this site Armstrong Clark Hardwood stain is the way to go. A few questions, can I apply the stain to the brand new mahogany right after it’s installed? The Lumber Mill says the Meranti Mahogany is properly air dried and the wood can have stain applied without sanding…
Also, can somebody post pictures of the Amber and Mahogany colors of the AC Hardwood Stains..? I am not sure which will look better or a combination of the two. The portion of deck/fence I am installing is large, approx. 5,500 sq ft in the Hamptons, so I don’t want to screw it up as it is costing an arm and a leg.
Thanks!
Rob
Couple of things.
-New wood should weathered and needs t be prepped. AC suggests 3 months and cleaning and brightening.
-AC sell samples to test the colors. This is the way to test on your wood.
-You wood type requires an annual cleaning and coating. Ac is good for this without the need to strip.
We used Armstrong in Mahogany 3 years ago and it has lasted quite well but it’s time to make it beautiful again. We plan to use the same stain, so is there anything we need to specifically do besides cleaning the deck and then re-staining?
Just clean and reapply.
2 more questions …
1) we had a leftover can of the stain. It was unopened. Is it still okaybto use now, 3 years later?
2) when you write “just Jean and reapply” does that mean just wash it or do we need to use restore a deck cleaner?
Thank you!
1. Should be. Open, mix well and check to make sure it is fluid and not clumping.
2. Use the RAD Cleaner.
We have a Brizilian teak deck that is exposed to the elements as we live in Minnesota. What would you recommend as a good stain to use? We have tried the Penofin but it doesn’t seem to hold up very well.
Your wood requires annual cleaning and recoating. Use the Armstrong Clark in Amber or Mahogany colors.
I have a mahogany door that faces North and is under a large (but high) overhang. The door does not get any direct sun exposure and we live in a very high humidity region on a Bay in the Florida panhandle. The conditions are a recipe for mold. I have used Australian Timber Oil and the appearance is pleasing. However, I have to clean AND sand it every 8-10 months due to mold growth. I have also used a marine product, Dek Olje by Awatrol Marine, which did not even last as long as the ATO. Would you recommend the Armstrong Clark Hardwood Stain or the Defy for Hardwood to combat the mold growth for this application or would you recommend something completely different ( I do want a natural wood look and no glossy appearance)?
You could try the Armstrong Clark in Mahogany color. Make sure to prep well first.
I had an IPE deck with cedar railings/lattice built this past June. I would like to stain the IPE with the AC Mahogany. Any suggestions on what stain to use on the cedar to compliment the AC Mahogany?
You can use the same color but it will not look the same when applied to cedar. We have never found a stain color that will make cedar look like IPE wood.
Hi,
Currently using a transparent AC stain on my stripped/sanded/cleaned/brightened deck. The stain looks and apples great!
My issue is, I ran out of stain halfway through application. Having to order more and that taking a few days, the dried stain and newly stained area has a line of demarcation that is pretty obvious. I have applied a second coat over everything since, in hopes that it would blend. No such luck.
Any advice would be helpful.
Not much you can do to fix this. Sorry
Hi,
I've been using Pennofin Hardwood on my Mangaris/Merbau deck. It lasts maybe three months, and the fading and greying of the wood is unacceptable. I'm going to be switching to A/C stain next. What stain do you recommend for Merbau and exactly how do I prep the deck and remove remainder of the Pennofin?
Thanks!
Prep with a deck stain stripper and pressure washing. Brighten when done. This will restore the color before applying the AC. Keep in mind that your wood type requires maintenance annually or sooner. You will lightly fade though the year.
I used outdoor bleach to clean my pressure treated wood deck, do I need to apply anything else before I stain it? also is there a stain to which color pigment can be added to produce a non wood look?
AC does not make a solid stain with will mask the wood grain. You will need a solid color stain if you do not want to see the \”wood look\”. Use a wood brightener after the beach wash.
Can anyone post a picture of AC Mohogany and Amber on IPE/Cumaru side by side? I'm planning to use AC stain on my cumaru siding, but I'm not sure which color to go with. Based on the pictures from the manufacturer website, the Mohogany looks much darker color than amber.I'm curious how much darker does it make. Thanks!
I liked the look of new untreated ipe. Which color is more likely to get that look, mahogany or amber? How many gallons do I need for one coat on a 500-550 square foot deck?
2 gallons and Amber is lighter in color then the Mahogany.
I live in Pinole, Ca. 94564. I am looking for the closest distributer of: Armstrong's hardwood oil "Mahogany".
Sorry but we have not idea on this. Please contact the manufacturer direct.
I am installing a new IPE deck in the next two weeks. Located in central Virginia and it will get direct sun (South/SW facing) 75% of the day. Should I wait until after the winter to apply a sealer/stain? Sounds like AC Mahogany is the way to go. Also, is it recommended to use end grain sealer upon cutting/installing the decking? Have read that this is a good idea to prevent end checking/splitting. It was also recommended to me to sand with 80-grit paper before sealing, but others say sanding is unnecessary and will prevent the stain from being absorbed. Thanks!
Prep with deck cleaner next Spring as there is no advantage to sanding. We never apply end grain and really have not seen a need for it. Use the AC.
I have a 2 year old cedar and tigerwood pergola that was stained with cedar tone Defy Hardwood stain 1 year after it was built. I used this product as Defy recommended it for use on both hardwoods and cedar and while I'm happy with the quality of the product on the tigerwood it definitely darkened the cedar much more than I expected it to (at least on the rough sawn areas). I'm now thinking of restaining with the AC hardwood stain in amber. What steps would be required to do this? Also, is the AC a comparable product to Defy in terms of quality and life expectancy?
The Defy and AC are different in that Defy is water based while the AC is oil. Both are similar in durability though. The issue is if you switch you will need to strip off the Defy and brighten the wood. While this is possible it can be slightly difficult to remove Defy from vertical wood. You would need a stain stripper such as Defy Stain Stripper and a pressure washer to remove. Before you proceed you might want to find a sample of the Amber to make sure it is the color you want and it does not end up being the same as the Defy. Issue is that rough sawn is very absorbent and will always darken more so because of it.
Just installed ipe deck. Have coated a small portion so far with oil, but am disappointed with the look. The wood has significantly reddened with he oil. Would like to keep more of a brown look. Any thoughts?
Did you use the Mahogany color of AC? If you stick with AC then try adding some Rustic Brown color into the Mahogany. IPE is a reddish brown color when stained, hard to get a straight brown with AC.
I am sorry. I did not use the AC brand, I used the penofin instead. The red look is starting to fade a little as it dries. We only put it on the handrails and a small area around the grill as it looked too red once we put it on.
Try AC in Amber or the Ipe Oil as that has more of a brown hue.
Mahogany tongue and groove flooring was installed two weeks ago on our little used, covered, west exposure front porch here in NE PA. A neighbor used TimberOil brand stain. Now that I have read many other reviews on your site for hardwood decks I am getting more confused. What would you use? TO, AC, Defy, Penofin??
For mahogany, use the AC in Amber or Mahogany color or the other option would be the Defy Stain for Hardwoods.
So I live in Western MA and I just replaced my steps with batu stair tread. I didn't stain the wood because I read here its best to leave it exposed to the elements for a bit. So my plan is to pull the boards up 2 months after installation and stain all 6 sides with this product. Since the wood is bare should I have to use the restore a deck products? Would it also be prudent to coat the exposed edge grain with anchor seal 2?
You should use a cleaner and brightener for prep and to remove mill glaze. You do not need anchor seal.
We live north of Boston, MA and have a teak deck maintained almost annually (14 years) with Cabot Australian Timber Oil, which we would like to replace with a new stain system. Several questions: Is teak considered an IPE and are we better off with a hardwood stain, if so what is your recommendation? Is the semi-transparent product the best option? Should we remove the ATO with a cleaner such as Restore-A-Deck or the Cabot Cleaner? Power wash or not? Appreciate your insights and help very much!
Teak is a hardwood like IPE but not the same. You do want a hardwood stain. You strip, not clean the old stain off. Use a stain stripper and brightener after. Use a pressure washing while stripping.
I should clarify that the combination we used was a 50/50 mix of the Mahogany & Amber stains. I mistakenly called it redwood, probably because the Mahogany has fairly strong reddish tones. After coming across a few others who suggested the mix, we decided to experiment. For customers staining IPE, who want a bit richer tone, I can vouch that mixing the Amber with the Mahogany softens the reddish tones. Just wanted to clarify.
Coach Mac, Can you post a picture?
cleaner not stripper
I also would LOVE to see a picture! That's what I think I'm going to do too — combine the Amber with the Mahagony to soften the red tone. Thank you!
We live along the seacoast north of Boston and have roughly 1500 sq feet of ipe decking. Disappointed with a variety of stain products we purchased a combination of the amber and redwood hardwood stain which we mixed to soften the reddish color. Worked like a charm and have to say this is easily the best product I've ever worked with. I spent several days powerwashing and stripping the decks with a combination of oxygen bleach and tsp. I then used a sander to lightly clean up any spots that required a little extra attention. A few dry days and it was time to finally stain. I have to share that this is an absolutely outstanding product. The coloring was perfect; the ease of application and results so far have far exceeded any product I've used previously…and it's not even close. Outstanding stains!
Awesome that it worked well for you and thank for the review!
Which stain stripper is recommended for a tiger wood deck? We have remnants of sickens (applied 5 years ago) left on our deck after using FLOOD cleaner and power washing. Will a wood brightener also be needed? We have a stamped concrete patio and pool below the deck. Thanks!
Yes use both stripper an brightener. Use the Restore A Deck products.
Hi, we have a mahogany deck that we stained with sikkens 2 years ago . It peeled almost 10 months later but have decided to re-stain now with Armstrong. How do we get the deck ready for the Armstrong? What is the process…do we need to sand and pressure wash…help
Thank you
Cam
Cammy, use a stain stripper and pressure wash. Sand if needed after.
How long does it take for the AC mahogany stain to dry? I applied to an Ipe deck by pad, back brushed and 24 hrs later wiped excess off with rag. There are no sticky spots or puddles and it looks great, but it's been 4 days with no rain and 50-80 degree weather in San Francisco and when I walk on it or wipe it with a rag there is still residual stain on the surface. Kind of a pain because it's all over our shoes and we aren't using our beautiful deck as much as we'd like. Any suggestions much appreciated.
sfsrufer, AC usually dries in a day but is does depend on the exposure to the sun. Hopefully it will dry soon!
Will the Amber work well on teak furniture? It seems like it will yield the desired honey tone color that we are looking for.
Drew, it will work on Teak.
I forgot to mention in the previous post. How do I prepare this deck? My boyfriend says pressure wash and then penetrating oil, such as Penofin
Betsy, prep with the Restore A Deck Kits while pressure washing. Stain with TWP 100 Series.
What is the best method to apply this to an IPE outdoor deck and is there a recommended cleaner to use for best results?
Dar, any quality deck cleaner should work for the prep. We use stain pads for application. Shurline or Padco brand.
I live in portland oregon and have around 1400sf of cedar deck that is 17 years old. Several months back had some boards replaced and have sanded down entire deck and am now prepared to stain. I was wanting to use the armstrong clark mahogany but after watching a video on someone in Kansas who used it on a 1200sf deck and it turned out orange. Any comment as to why? and should I still proceed after viewing that nightmare? Can you make a recommendation to me? All parts of deck receive some sun about three months of the years and remainder is rainy.
Toni, the color of the stains when applied to a deck will vary widely based on the wood type. The video you mentioned showed a customer applying the Mahogany color to a pressure treated deck I believe, not an exotic hardwood deck as the Mahogany stain color is intended for. You cannot get the look of IPE or Mahogany wood when you apply the AC Mahogany to say a Cedar or Pressure Treated pine deck. It will enhance the natural color of the wood type to which it is applied, hence the dramatic difference. This is not the fault of Armstrong but rather the customer who applied the stain not understanding that colors will vary.
I would get a sample of the stain from Armstrong to test first.
Sounds elementary…if you apply a red stain to yellow wood you get an orange deck.
I forgot to include my email address in my post concerning oil vs. AC hardwood stain for Ipe.
Rob, both work well but we use more of the AC as of late. We really like the mahogany color.
I have an IPE deck in Connecticut, western facing with sun from 10 am on.. I have used the Penofin product in the past, loved it when first applied, but then it turns black.. Stripped the deck last year. This year cleaned and brightened it. Looking for a product that won't turn black which would you recommend.
Heidi, I have the same problem with Penofin, it turns black every year, a real pain. Called Penofin they told me I was doing something wrong, I used Penofin last year applied it in the spring when the temp was less hot when I used it before, it turned black. I'm switching this year and trying the Armstrong Clark. was wondering what you used.
What is the optimal temperature range for applying most of these stains — 65 to 80 degrees? My fear is that if I try to apply one when the day is too hot, it will set up too quickly, resulting in a mottled appearance. I ask because it's hot here (Sacramento area) in the summer, so this may affect when I plan to take time off work to stain our large ipe deck.
Geno, 45-90 degrees seems to be the norm. It is true that certain stains will dry faster in the heat. Try Armstrong Clark. It says you can apply in full sun and high heat without issues.
Donna, Penofin does not have linseed oil and that is not reason for the darkening. I would look at the AC Amber or possibly IPE Oil.
We hope to build a new garapa deck. Wondering if AC Hardwood Stain would be a good choice? It looks like they only offer two colors – mahogany and amber. We would like to darken the garapa somewhat – we don't want the "yellowish" tint. Which color do you think would work best? Would the mahogany be too dark?
Or do you think we should instead consider Woodrich Hardwood Wiping stain?
A main criteria for us is ease of application and re-application. With both of these products, we can re-apply in upcoming years without having to strip prior applications, right?
Thanks for your informative website.
Marie, you might want to get some samples to test out the color on your new wood before buying. Both can be cleaned and reapplied in the future.
Can you use the hardwood stain on PTP, and if so would you get a better stained deck board…..just asking as your rating iis better for this than the regular stain
Jules, yes you can use the hardwood stain colors on any wood type. This rating is a testing on IPE. That is why it has a different rating.
I plan on using the Clear coat product on my IPE 2500 sq ft deck. I have applied various oil basd clear coat brands & find that they only last 1 yr at best. I pressure was the surface, which removes the dirt & other materials on the surface. The wood normally turs gray upon cleaning & when I apply the clear oil based products, the color of the wood reappears. Will the AC clear perform the same & what would the approximate life expextency be before recoating? Basically full sum 75 % of the day, Texas Hill Country.
John, IPE wood requires annual maintenance. You will not get a stain to last two years on IPE unless there is a roof over the deck. The Mahogany color in the AC has showed us to hold color longer then any other stain that we have tested or used on IPE. Still will need to be done annually but it will look better then the others for that period.
What's the difference between this review and the Armstrong Clark Wood Stain Review? https://www.deckstainhelp.com/armstrong-clark-wood…
They have slightly different scores. It's not immediately apparent, what's the difference between the two.
Ali, This review is for Hardwood decking such as IPE and Mahogany. These woods are very dense and we only test them for 1 year. The other review is for wood types such as cedar, redwood, and pressure treated pine.