Clean the surface of the deck. Thompson's recommends using Thompson's WaterSeal House Wash or Deck Wash. Or you may use another deck cleaning product or simply a trisodium phosphate solution (1 cup of trisodium phosphate per gallon of water). Scrub the deck with a scrub brush; a long-handle brush makes cleaning easier. Rinse the wood thoroughly and allow it to dry for 48 hours.
Mix the stain thoroughly with a paint stick. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the can as you stir to evenly distribute the pigment.
Apply the finish to the surface with a paint brush. Brush from side to side and make sure you coat underneath the overhang in the siding. Keep a leading wet edge as you work. Work quickly or break the area into manageable areas.
Allow latex Thompson's waterproofing stains to dry for two hours before touching it. Oil waterproofing stains must dry for 24 hours.