Using a pad with TWP 100 Clear

Hi,
I have a pressure treated Southern yellow pine deck. After allowing the wood to age properly, cleaning and using a brightener, I am going to apply TWP 100 clear.
I understand the wood will gray naturally because there is no UV protection in this stain.
Do I need to use an edge pad to get between the boards to cover the vertical,edge surfaces of the decking?
My thinking is that these surfaces will not see any standing water, and although they are visible will gray the same as the top surface anyway.

Thanks for any thoughts. New at this and want to get it right!