Wood treatment for new dock?

[Ufatz]

This freshwater, flatland boat dock business is all new to me. Today had a 60' aluminum dock installed with cedar planking etc. Looks nice, but my FIRST question is: can it be treated with anything that will keep the color but NOT make it slicker than a Texas politician?

[Surface Tension]

I'd go with Thomson's water seal. To get the color back do a deck wash. Never put a solid color on it or you'll end up with it pealing. If you want to add color down the road go with a transparent stain.

[sparcebag]

CWF-UV Exterior wood finish,Works great for your purpose.DO NOT use on any ply,or anything glued,it penatrates so well and is oil based it melts even the best exterior glue,and I know,I used it on ext.ply the plys seperated and the glue was paste!Menards has it.My mistake from not reading ALL the instructions!!and product recomendations!!

[bigdog]

I second the CWF Oil based product. I used it on an outdoor hot tubs trim, Redwood arbor and even my cedar shake roof. It is a tough, long lasting finish.

[Lazy Mike]

Ufatz, consider doing nothing with the decking. Sure it will turn gray, but you will have no maintenance. From my experience any outside horizontal surface will require periodic upkeep, regardless of the product used. Plan to get 18-20 years out of the decking before you start thinking about replacing it.