Hi ENJ926 - Thank you for your review. I'm sorry to hear that the finish looks more opaque than expected, and the surface feels tacky after 48 hours. Our semi-transparent stain will provide more color to the wood than a transparent finish; however, you should be able to see the wood grain a little after applying 2 thin coats. This product should also feel dry to the touch after 1-2 hours and fully cure after 72 hours. If your deck still feels sticky after 72 hours, we recommend cleaning the surface with soap and water (you can try this in a small test area first). This should reduce or remove the tackiness. If you need further assistance with your project, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. We'd be happy to help! - Sara