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This is a very good deck stain (below), cedar will not turn grey and it's available in different colors.

Make sure it says "translucent" on the can or print picture and take it with you to the store.

For new decks let it dry for 2-3 weeks then use this stain.

1. Do not apply in direct sun light, early evening or overcast is perfect.
   
2. This stain is unforgiving on the first coat. It soaks in and dries fast so do the railings last. Any drippings from the railings will show up on the floor as "dots" when you later do the floor. Subsequent coats can be done without this concern, any drippings can be wiped with a brush.
   
3. Do the vertical edges and stairs of the structure first then do the floor and finish by doing the railings.
   
4. When applying the first coat to any surface finish the whole board and don't stop for anything i.e.; answering the phone or taking a break etc. Applying this finish on a board and stopping for a break (remember it soaks in and dries fast on the first coat) then finishing that board later you will see an "overlap" in the middle of the board where you stopped and continued.
   
  For large deck floors: Instead of buying a large expensive brush pick up a cheap $5 broom with plastic bristles, the type that has fuzzy bristle ends made to pick up dust better. This type of broom makes a perfect brush and it's big. You can stand up to apply the stain to your floor and it's fast. Get a paint tray or something similar for the stain. Mix the stain very well every time you need to fill the tray. Take 3 or 4 boards at a time and do the entire length of the boards and remember no stopping on the first coat until you get to the end of the boards being done. With a broom you can do a large 300 sq foot deck floor in about an hour standing up! Otherwise it would take all day on your hands and knees a back breaking effort. If you splash some on the house it can be removed with an Alkyd cleaner or gasoline.
   
  Summary:
1. Apply this stain to edges and stairs first with a brush.
2. Then apply to the floor with a broom or brush, it's your time and back.
3. Finish by applying to the railings if any with a brush.
4. First coat soaks in and dries fast. Second coat will partly soak in and also remain on the surface. Three coats your deck will look superb almost like a hard wood floor!
   
   

This stain on the right is excellent and the projects (below) were done with this translucent alkyd finish. Another excellent deck stain is made by Sikkens and is available at Randels and the Woodsource Adams & Kenedy on Mitch Owens Rd.

To be safe bring a piece of wood with you and test it at the store so you get the right tint. If you don't have a piece of cedar you can use pine or just a stir stick from the store. Make sure it says translucent on the can so it allows the beautiful wood grain of cedar to be seen through the stain.
   
The outside of this 3 season room was done with the above stain. . . . and the interior floor and walls,
   
and the ceiling as well. This stain is great for all sorts of outdoor projects.