Armstrong Clark

[YVPW]

Charlie, when I've used an airless I've always just mixed it up and used the same bucket the stain comes in. I don't think you would really have to worry about debris getting in the stain. Unless it's real windy outside, and then you're probably not spraying anyway.

I've never been able to get all the pigment off the bottom of those cube containers by just shaking it with my hands. As long as all the pigment is off the bottom you're probably good to go. Now I know a shaker at a paint store could. I personally believe every stain should be mixed thoroughly with a paddle mixer. I use the black one from Sherwin-Williams, it works excellent. I like to watch it change colors from the mixing and also knowing I've gotten every bit of the ingredients blended. I know I'm probably stir crazy, lol. There are some water based stains that you can't mix like that, including polyurethane. Too much air into the finish can cause tiny bubbles.

You will need a paddle attachment for the AC stain.

[bigchaz]

Cordless drill fine to use with the paddle mixer?

[Greg R]

I just used a stir stick I'll shake the next one to see if it mixes well enough to use the pour spout. UPS banged it up pretty bad so Im a bit afraid to open it right now. The can is about an inch shorter than the other one.

[RPetry]

Cordless drill fine to use with the paddle mixer?

Charlie,

The AC stain we received was so well integrated, I'm not so sure that a hard drill/paddle mix was needed. Still have a 5'er we will use later this season, so will see if it is still good to go without a drill paddle.

[Greg R]

You didn't ask who... (your favorite acronym)
Beth

Ahhhhh...... the power of the boards

[RPetry]

Ahhhhh...... the power of the boards

Absolutely true. Grandkids will be asking their elders how they managed to learn anything prior to the internet.

And the kids will be right. Most of my generation did not learn much due to difficult, sometimes inaccessible, information.

It is a new world.

[MMI Enterprises]

Chaz, Can use a plastic squirrel cage type mixer on a cordless if ya like. Haven't seen the need for such though with most stain I use. By the time I throw it in truck and it's rolled or bounced around abit in transit there doesn't seem to be fall out when I pour it into a fiver spray bucket.

[YVPW]

Charlie, yeah you can use a cordless drill. The stain I got from AC I shaked and shaked. Then I opened up the lid and sure enough it didn't mix. I took the paddle and scraped the bottom and then brought it out of the stain to take a look. There was quite a bit of pigment on it. When I spun the paddle the color changed.

I think it all comes down to when the stain was made. If it's sat for quite a while then it's gonna need to be stirred. If it's recently been stirred or made then a few shakes should do it.

[Beth n Rod]

Jason,
Don't shake, paddle. Shaking introduces air...
Beth

[gt2003]

Just FYI, Jake is out of this world!!! I just received an email from him at 1:16pm on July 4th stating he'll send me samples of whatever he needs.

P.S. - I promptly told him to go home and enjoy the 4th. Hope he listens, he deserves it.

Looks like I should have samples as well as cleaning/brightening supplies and stain of choice next week. Take care all, Greg

[YVPW]

I wouldn't shake some of the water-based film forming stains or poly's. Those are the ones where you can make a mess of a job by doing that. I did shake that bucket when I first got it, but I always use the paddle. I never take a chance with a product not being mixed thoroughly, even though it may have been easily stirred or shaken. That's a good point about the air even with a penetrating oil based coating, the spray wouldn't be as even with air in it.

[RPetry]

I have been fortunate to be in contact over the past few years with a mentor. A semi-retired, 35 odd years in the business, wood restoration contractor.

He sent me these pictures of Armstrong Clark stain, color is Super Cedar Blend. The wood is white cedar. Numerous layers of acrylic stripped and sanded.

Two wet on wet applications of Armstrong Clark stain. This color is magnificent on cedar.

[YVPW]

Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing Rick.

[RPetry]

No thanks due me, but my thanks to my friend. Aside from the great looking stain, how about that acrylic strip job? That is wood prep at its finest. A first class guy in the wood restoration business longer than the age of many contractors.

[Beth n Rod]

I have been fortunate to be in contact over the past few years with a mentor. A semi-retired, 35 odd years in the business, wood restoration contractor.

He sent me these pictures of Armstrong Clark stain, color is Super Cedar Blend. The wood is white cedar. Numerous layers of acrylic stripped and sanded.

Two wet on wet applications of Armstrong Clark stain. This color is magnificent on cedar.

That's sharp!!!
Beth