Mailbox post refinishing

Saturday it seemed liked a good day to refinish the post that the mailbox sets on. So I started out with the 50% Clorox solution to get rid of the mildew. I let it stay on for about 5 minutes. Then I rinsed thoroughly with the hose. Then I repeated that since it seemed like it needed it. I couldn't really tell how good of a job I had done, so I mowed the yard and when I checked it again, it looked like it does in the top pic. (Kinda white.) All I had to do then was to put the sealer/stain on. All I could do was the one coat because it becomes waterproof after that. I think it looks OK if I do say so myself.