I like the Armstrong Clark stain. I talked to a friend from these boards that said after he used Ready Seal it did not seem to cure very fast and when people walked on it to return to their home, that you could see the footprints from the shoes being on the deck on their expensive white carpet.
I have not used Ready Seal, but things like that scare me. I am in the business to make the largest profit margin I can. Things like that are not welcome.
As far as good proof goes. I have been around painting all my life with my Grandpas company, so its all goof proof to me. Unless your into hiring the goofs, do not apply any coatings.