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CB Business and Industrial Review of Penofin Performance Coatings, Inc.
Penofin Performance Coatings, Inc.

Penofin Performance Coatings, Inc. review: Useless Product 4

J
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4:15 pm EDT
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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 persuing legal action against this company and would be more than happy to be included in a class action lawsuit.

4 comments
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3625mexican
, US
Nov 19, 2018 9:31 am EST

Penafonin sealer turned my deck black and gray.

Like above customer company complaint

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Nickyla
, CA
May 24, 2016 12:27 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We Had the same experience except that our deck is 16 x 40. We must have cleaned, sand and redone it a good five times since 2013. What a nightmare. All the time, effort, and money, at least over $1, 500. In products, brushes, rags, etc.
Everytime we restained it turned black in less than a month. I agree someone should take them to court. I am in for a class action suit.

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rick603
, US
Oct 11, 2013 2:56 pm EDT

I used this product on my dock, after first prep'ing it by stripping the old finish and then reviving it to bring back the natural cedar look. It seemed like I had found the answer, or at least until I walked down to my dock last week and it looked 100 years old! This stuff is a food source for the mold/mildew that causes blackening and graying. I'm pursuing these jerks.

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noamsane
, CA
Apr 02, 2012 3:55 pm EDT

I live in Canada not far from Seattle Washington. Mild winter but lots of rain. My experience was almost identical. My contractor put together a beautiful 180 linear foot glass and cedar railing. We used Penofin green on the posts and rails, applied indoors as per instructions, including pre-bleaching and wiping off the excess. The project was finished in January 2011 and by that fall, the railings were spotted black and starting to grey. The posts didn't start fading until this past winter. As of April 2012 the railings are grey with black blotches and the posts are heading in the same direction. The dealer that sold me the Penofin says they are discontinuing it as soon as they can sell off the stock they have. Nice. I haven't bothered connecting with Performance Coatings because my BS quota is full. Just wish I knew a way to strip and finish my railings with something that worked.