[Evans, Marv]

Don't know what kind of finish you plan on, but I've recommended a product named TWP (Total Wood Protection) on here several times. I tried several stains/preservatives on a deck I had (unscrewed the boards, sanded them, stained them, reinstalled them), and this product was far and away the best. It's more expensive but more than worth it. In Cali, we have to have water soluble products, but if you can get the oil based, it would be better. When I bought mine, oil based was still available. I did use the water based on my patio roof and supports, and it's held up for a little more than ten years so far. The only part exposed to sunlight is the support part at the end facing south into the sun. That has seemed to hold up as well as the parts that don't get sun.