You should use a deck stain stripper and pressure wash off the old stain. Use a wood brightener when done. Once prepped correctly you can use a penetr...

Use a solid color decking stain for the rails. Two toned decks look great and solids work fine for verticals.

4-8 weeks seems like a long time after prep. You may need to use the cleaner and brightener again. Really depends on how dirty and if it starts to gra...

Never apply a top coating or poly on a deck stain. It will ruin the wood and peel and blister. Traps in mold too. Yes a cleaner and brightener will he...

Who is "right" is the stain brand manufacturer. Meaning you want to follow the advice of the stain you are using, not the advice of the lumber yard or...

This is different than a deck and if it was me, I would go ahead and stain all now but will the expectation that it will need to be redone annually or...

No that will not work to lighten.

Stay with stain.

Yes that is correct.

No that is not possible to lighten.

Perfect and two toned decks look great as well. Much easier for future maintenance. Would love to see pictures during this process!

Yes you should be able to do that.

Quote from xfactor6559 on July 1, 04:08 This is the look I was trying to recreate. Possible?? Please post a link to a picture, not a go...

Yes you can combine together but sure about having different color boards.

Yes you should be able to do that. Keep the floor natural with a semi-transparent stain for a two toned deck.