Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label Oil Finish

Premium Exterior Wood Stain for Harsh Weather

Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label Oil Finish is a high-performance penetrating exterior wood stain designed for demanding outdoor environments.

Formulated with sustainably sourced Brazilian Rosewood Oil and increased transoxide pigments, Red Label penetrates deeply into wood fibres while providing excellent protection against moisture, UV exposure and mildew.

Designed for exterior wood exposed to rain, wind, snow, strong sunlight and high elevations, Red Label enhances the natural grain of the wood without creating a conventional surface film that can peel or flake.

Why Choose Red Label?

• Ultra Premium exterior wood formula

• Brazilian Rosewood Oil

• Deep-penetrating oil finish

• Up to 99% UV protection with pigmented tones

• Increased transoxide pigments

• Superior mildew protection

• Non-film-forming

• Preserves and conditions wood

• Enhances natural wood grain

• Suitable for harsh weather conditions

• Transparent wood stain tones

• Easy maintenance

• Suitable for many exterior wood species

Where Can Red Label Be Used?

Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label is designed for exterior wood applications including:

• Decks

• Log homes

• Siding

• Outdoor furniture

• Fencing

• Wood art

• Spas

• Docks

• Exterior wood floors

• Doors

• Window trim

Its penetrating formula can be used on many properly prepared exterior wood species.

Brazilian Rosewood Oil

Red Label is formulated with Brazilian Rosewood Oil derived from sustainably harvested seeds.

The penetrating oil carries the finish into the wood fibres, helping condition and protect the wood from within rather than simply creating a coating over the surface.

This allows the natural grain and texture of the wood to remain visible.

UV & Mildew Protection

Penofin Red Label uses increased transoxide pigments to provide strong resistance against UV exposure and fading.

Pigmented Red Label tones provide up to 99% UV protection, helping exterior wood retain its appearance when exposed to sunlight.

The formula also provides enhanced protection against mildew, making it particularly useful in demanding exterior environments.

Clear vs. Pigmented Tones

Penofin Red Label is available in transparent wood tones that allow the natural wood grain to remain visible.

The Clear tone is minimally pigmented and provides limited UV protection. It conditions and protects the wood while allowing the wood to gradually grey naturally over time.

If maintaining the wood's colour and maximizing UV protection are priorities, choose one of Red Label's pigmented tones instead of Clear.

Built for Harsh Weather

Ultra Premium Red Label was developed for exterior wood exposed to demanding environmental conditions.

Penofin specifically recommends Red Label where wood encounters:

• Rain

• Wind

• Snow

• Strong UV exposure

• High elevations

Its combination of penetrating Brazilian Rosewood Oil, transoxide pigments and mildew protection makes it well suited to exterior wood requiring additional environmental protection.

Surface Preparation

Penofin must be applied to clean, dry wood so the penetrating oils can properly enter the wood fibres.

New wood: Use Penofin First Step Prep to lightly clean the wood and help remove mill glaze.

Older bare wood: Clean with Penofin Pro-Tech Cleaner #2.

Greyed or discoloured wood: Follow cleaning with Penofin Pro-Tech Brightener #3.

Previously finished wood: If the wood was previously treated with a non-Penofin product, Penofin recommends chemically stripping the previous finish, followed by Cleaner #2 and Brightener #3.

Allow the wood to dry completely before staining.

Prepare Wood Before Red Label

Proper preparation allows Penofin Red Label to penetrate evenly into the wood and helps produce a consistent finish.

For new or uncoated wood, use Penofin First Step Prep to help clean the surface and remove mill glaze before staining.

For older, dirty or weathered wood, clean with Penofin Pro-Tech Cleaner #2. If the wood is greyed, darkened or discoloured, follow cleaning with Penofin Pro-Tech Brightener #3 to help restore the natural appearance of the wood.

Allow the wood to dry completely before applying Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label.

How to Apply Red Label

Stir the product thoroughly before and during application.

Apply Penofin Red Label when temperatures are approximately 7°C–27°C (45°F–80°F).

Relative humidity should not exceed 85%, with below 80% preferred for best results.

Do not apply when the wood is hot to the touch.

Red Label can be applied using:

• Brush

• Stain pad

• Plastic-tip pump sprayer

Apply a liberal coat to clean, dry wood.

Allow approximately 20–30 minutes for the finish to penetrate into the wood.

Then thoroughly wipe the entire surface with a clean, lint-free cloth to remove excess product.

Do not allow excess Penofin to form a film on the surface.

Softwood Application

Apply Red Label with a brush, stain pad or plastic-tip pump sprayer.

Allow approximately 30 minutes for maximum penetration and then thoroughly wipe the entire surface with a lint-free cloth to remove excess product.

Do not apply wet-on-wet.

If using the two-coat 550 VOC formulation, wait approximately 3–4 hours before applying a light second coat. Allow the second coat to penetrate and again wipe away all excess.

Application requirements vary by VOC formulation, so always follow the instructions on your specific container.

Hardwood Application

Apply Red Label to hardwood using a brush, stain pad or suitable sprayer. Penofin notes that brushes and stain pads generally provide the best results.

Apply thoroughly and back-brush the finish into the wood, leaving little to no excess.

After approximately 20–30 minutes, wipe the entire surface with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Do not allow a film to develop.

Hardwoods require one initial coat of Penofin penetrating oil finish.

Drying & Cure Times

Under normal conditions:

Dry to Touch: 3–4 hours
Serviceable: Approximately 12 hours
Moisture Resistant: Approximately 24 hours
Full Cure: Approximately 4–7 days

Temperature, humidity, wood species, airflow and application thickness can affect drying and curing times.

Avoid rain during application and for approximately 24 hours afterward.

Coverage

Penofin's current Red Label data sheet lists coverage at approximately:

175–300 sq. ft. per gallon

Actual coverage varies according to wood species, porosity, surface texture, age and application method.

Red Label Colours

Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label is available in 10 transparent tones:

• Clear

• Cedar

• Sable

• Mission Brown

• Bark

• Chestnut

• Sierra

• Redwood

• Western Red Cedar

• Hickory

Because this is a transparent penetrating finish, the natural colour and grain of the wood will influence the final appearance.

Always test your selected colour on the actual wood before completing the entire project.

Maintenance

Penofin penetrating finishes are designed for straightforward maintenance without the extensive scraping associated with conventional film-forming coatings.

Exterior wood should be inspected periodically for fading, dryness or loss of water resistance.

Hardwoods may require another application approximately 3–6 months after the initial application, followed by another application approximately 10–12 months later.

As the wood fibres become conditioned, maintenance intervals may become longer.

Horizontal surfaces, high-traffic areas and wood exposed to strong UV conditions generally require maintenance more frequently than protected vertical surfaces.

Technical Specifications

Product: Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label
Type: Transparent penetrating oil wood stain
Use: Exterior
Base: Brazilian Rosewood Oil
UV Protection: Up to 99% with pigmented tones
Clear Tone: Limited UV protection
Coverage: Approximately 175–300 sq. ft./gal
Application Temperature: 7°C–27°C (45°F–80°F)
Maximum Relative Humidity: 85%
Preferred Humidity: Below 80%
Dry to Touch: 3–4 hours
Serviceable: Approximately 12 hours
Moisture Resistant: Approximately 24 hours
Full Cure: Approximately 4–7 days
VOC: <550, <250 or <100 g/L depending on formulation and local regulations
Finish Type: Non-film-forming penetrating oil

Always refer to the label on your container for the specific VOC formulation and corresponding application instructions.

Oily Rag Safety

Oil-soaked cloths and application materials can spontaneously combust if handled improperly.

After use, soak oily cloths and rags in water and place them in a sealable metal container away from buildings and combustible materials.

Dispose of used materials according to local regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label?

Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label is a penetrating exterior wood stain formulated with Brazilian Rosewood Oil, transoxide pigments and enhanced mildew protection for wood exposed to demanding outdoor conditions.

What is Red Label best used for?

Red Label is designed for exterior wood including decks, siding, log homes, fencing, outdoor furniture, docks, doors, window trim and other exposed wood surfaces.

Does Red Label provide UV protection?

Yes. Penofin's pigmented Red Label tones provide up to 99% UV protection using transoxide pigments designed to resist fading.

Does Clear provide 99% UV protection?

No. Penofin states that the Clear tone is minimally pigmented and provides limited UV protection. It conditions the wood while allowing it to grey naturally over time.

Does Red Label protect against mildew?

Yes. Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label is formulated with enhanced mildew protection for exterior wood.

Is Red Label a film-forming stain?

No. Red Label is a penetrating, non-film-forming oil finish that penetrates the wood fibres instead of creating a conventional coating film over the surface.

Will Red Label peel or flake?

Because Red Label is a penetrating, non-film-forming finish, it does not behave like conventional film-forming coatings that can peel or flake when properly applied and maintained.

Can Red Label be used on decks?

Yes. Decks are one of Penofin's specified applications for Ultra Premium Red Label.

Can Red Label be used on docks?

Yes. Penofin lists docks as a suitable application for Red Label.

Can Red Label be used on log homes?

Yes. Log homes are specifically listed by Penofin as an application for Ultra Premium Red Label.

How many coats of Red Label are needed?

Application depends on the wood species and VOC formulation. Hardwoods require one initial coat. The 550 VOC two-coat formulation can receive a light second coat after approximately 3–4 hours.

How long should Red Label penetrate?

Allow approximately 20–30 minutes for Red Label to penetrate the wood before thoroughly wiping away all excess product.

Do I have to wipe off Red Label?

Yes. Excess Penofin should be thoroughly removed with a clean, lint-free cloth after the penetration period. Do not allow the product to form a film on the surface.

How long does Red Label take to dry?

Red Label is typically dry to the touch in 3–4 hours, serviceable after approximately 12 hours, moisture resistant after approximately 24 hours and fully cured in approximately 4–7 days.

What is the coverage of Red Label?

Penofin lists coverage at approximately 175–300 sq. ft. per gallon. Actual coverage depends on wood species, porosity and surface condition.

What temperature can Red Label be applied at?

Penofin recommends applying Red Label between approximately 7°C and 27°C (45°F–80°F).

Can Penofin Red Label be sprayed?

Yes. Red Label can be applied with a suitable sprayer as well as a brush or stain pad.

Can Red Label go over an old stain?

Penofin needs to penetrate the wood. If the previous finish is a non-Penofin product, Penofin recommends chemically removing it and preparing the wood with Cleaner #2 and Brightener #3 before applying Red Label.

How do I maintain Red Label?

Inspect the wood periodically and clean it before maintenance applications. Horizontal surfaces, high-traffic areas and surfaces exposed to strong UV generally require more frequent maintenance than protected vertical surfaces.

What colours does Red Label come in?

Penofin Ultra Premium Red Label is available in 10 transparent tones: Clear, Cedar, Sable, Mission Brown, Bark, Chestnut, Sierra, Redwood, Western Red Cedar and Hickory.