51.   If there are any brown stains on walls or ceilings, they are water stains, and they must be sealed before painting.

52.   If you see the stain bead up on the creosote, stop staining because the stain is not penetrating.

53.   If the solid stain is not peeling from the pickets and other vertical surfaces, leave it alone.

54.   If the stain is intact and good looking, why not apply a satin, polyurethane varnish?

55.   If the stain is oily, wipe it with talcum powder, leaving a little of the talcum on the stain so it will absorb it.

56.   If the stains are green, it is algae, and algae must be treated with the bleach solution and scrubbed.

57.   If the stains are really mildew they will disappear without scrubbing.

58.   If the stains are really mildew this should remove them without need for scrubbing.

59.   If you want the light look, white stain is more durable than white paint, he advises.

60.   In fact, semitransparent stain is the best way to treat a fence, other than not treating it at all and letting it weather.