We have an older treated wood deck that I am patiently (choke) waiting for DH to rebuild. I use solid stain on it (Maxum or Rez) and do have to do touch up areas in spring, typically light ones in walk path areas. Every couple years a good recoat on horizontal surfaces. Railings not so much, they last much longer. However, agree to avoid Behr. I used it on rental property decks (small, one side and one rear). Side deck rarely used, mostly by the mailman. Rear deck was regularly used by two adults who were rarely home. Prepped and applied correctly. By end of that summer (only two months gone by) it was pulling off in walk paths and on top the railing. Then I googled and found a gazillion complaints about Behr stain on decks. Won't waste my time or $ on Behr deck stain again. :/

After my first coat of GF gel stain, I, too freaked out because it was really blotchy. After the second coat it looked nice. i even used the gel stain on melamine without primer. Just make sure, the first coat is properly dry before trying coat two. Mine started sliding around and coming off because it wasn't dry enough. So far, the vanity has held up really well. Here is a link that might be useful: my previous thread

cork cork cork it is wonderful. stands up really well to wear. it was the first thing put down in the kitchen ( cabinets etc went on top) and then covered with cardboard while everything else went on. Of course the edges were left to the elements. (the kind I got -- durodesign * needs to be sealed after. (they include the sealer) A few days before the sealer was to go on I scrubbed twice with warm soapy water and rinsed well. Came out as clean and lovely all over. Actually the water just wiped right off. Duh! cork doesn't absorb which is why they use it for wine bottles Really easy to look after including cleaning up from the cats who have to "catch" their dinner from the plates and drop it onto the floor before eating. apparently the art gallery of ontario has cork floors and those must get quite exposed to snow and salt in the winter Here is a link that might be useful: cork floors

I still have hope he will call again. There is someone out there for you!! I mean I got Tony at Walmart. I was a vendor and he would bring my boxes of heavy books out for me. At first I thought he was one of the "special" people that Walmart sometimes hire. When he would bring my books out he would be red faced and didn't say a word, just sorta grinned at me. His mom dressed him funny. A group of Walmart employees started going out to lunch and they included me. Pretty soon Tony started coming along. My DB was playing at a club downtown & I invited all of the "gang" down. Guess who showed up? I was pretty drunk when he got there. Hey my parent were there I had a ride home & a Mom that wouldn't let me get out of line. Anyhooo Tony drove me home in his brand new mustang. After a couple of beers he started talking to me. We sat in front of my parents house talking. I realized he was very smart, just painfully shy. Like I said I was 3 sheets to the wind,and I kissed him. Well let me tell you my eyeballs changed sockets, my toes curled, and I saw fireworks. I just "knew" that he was the one. We started dating in December & married in May 23.5 years ago. And I love him more each day. So don't judge a book by its cover...and if you get married I want to be a bridesmaid!!! lol