Post #722924 by Lodge 9 on Fri, Jul 18, 2014 4:37 AM

Use a good wood cleaner on it first. you can get the flood wood cleaner it will help remove the gray and discolored marks. make sure you rinse it with water and let it dry. (the cleaner is made for decks and fences).sand it,
burn the nodes on the bamboo before staining.
use a oil Stain it will penetrate better and look natural. (solid stain is opaque and will look like paint)
top coat with an Polyurethane Spar Varnish for exterior use. several coats works best.
Take some scrape wood and put some samples on it to see what you like. if you go to a paint store they will help you.
looking forward to your progress pic's