The siding on your house, deck, porch, fence, or outdoor furniture can be greatly enhanced with the rich look of stain.
Semi-transparent vs. solid color stain:
Both types of stain penetrate and coat the fibers of wood. Both can be tinted to different colors. The solid stain does not allow the grain of the wood to be seen as clearly. There are times which are right for the use of one or the other.
How long does stain last?
Stains do not offer the protection provided by paint, nor do they last as long. Expect to re-stain your wood surface sooner than you would have to re-coat with paint.
All surfaces
must be clean, free of dirt, oil and grease to achieve an even color finish with any type of stain. The surface must also be dry if you using an oil based product. Latex solid color stains may be applied to a damp, but not dripping surface.
New Wood
Remove surface dirt with water and cleaner. Grade stamps should be sanded off. Remove oil and grease with Soilax. Remove any wax with Super Waxoff.
Application
I suggest you work from point A to point B always having a wet edge so you do not get lap marks where you get too much stain and a discoloration.