I am a contractor in New Jersey. I build several decks each spring and summer. Two years ago, I built a 600 (approximately) square foot cedar deck on my own house. After researching numerous stain products, I was informed by my local lumber yard that Penofin (red labeled can for cedar) was the 'Cadillac' of stains. I wanted to preserve the natural cedar look and thought this stain was transparent as stated on the can. While applying it, the stain seemed to be more 'orangey' than I would have preferred, but was willing to accept the color transformation, UNTIL I started to notice the appearance was starting to dull and look very dirty looking. I then tried to wash it down with a deck brush and water, but it wasn't coming off. As weeks passed, I noticed it was getting darker and darker. By the time fall had arrived. the deck was so dark brown looking, it was almost black. Spring arrived and I decided (vary warily) to use my pressure washer on it, knowing that if used it, I would then have to resand the cedar to take out the pressure washer marks. The stain was saturated into the deck and rails and was very difficult to remove. I then rented a floor sander and started sanding, but the railings and posts were a nightmare to deal with. I realized that there was no way to get all of it completely off everything, and decided that because of the blochiness, I would have to re-stain it using the same product. Well, bad move. Spring is here again, and I am stuck doing the same thing all over again. My deck was almost completely black for the second year in a row. MY BEAUTIFUL CEDAR IS COMPLETELY RUINED! I am beside myself in thinking I will once again have to resand the whole deck and all railings. This should ruin at least another three of my weekends! I called Penofin and talked to a man named Brandon in the Technical Support Department, who, by the way, basically told me nothing. I was told that they had never heard of this problem occuring in the past, and was questioned about the way that I had applied it. I followed the directions on the can to a tee. I decided to look on the internet to see if anyone else had this problem occur, and surprisingly I found MANY complaints about my same problem. I am now totally content with the idea about pursuing legal action against this company and would be more than happy to be included in a class action lawsuit.
If you build decks I am surprised you weren't aware of penofin. I'm also surprised that you are aware that you can buy deck stripper that will remove finishes from cedar.
I have used penofin on the cedar siding on my house and on my cedar deck. I have been pleased with the results. It needs to be redone every 4 years or so and I first use a deck stripper, then a wood bleach, then a siding cleaner. Then I let it dry thoroughly before applying the penofin. It usually absorbs about 2 coats. The penofin has helped keep my cedar well preserved which is good given how much of an outlay it was to side my house with cedar to begin with. Now, over time, the cedar does turn black. That has nothing to do with the product applied. It is the result of wood tannins. The oxalic acid in some deck strippers or brightners can remove tannins to some degree but usually the tannins rise up in the wood again over time. After a couple of treatments they are no longer a problem.