FAQs

We make it easy to use the CUTEK® wood protection system at each step with our friendly, practical advice and support. Get the best from CUTEK® with our help. Our expert team is on-hand to provide technical support and clear, easy to understand step-by-step instructions. Have a question about the application process, maintenance, or what CUTEK® wood coating is best for you? Explore our resources here or contact us. We’re here to help make using CUTEK® easy.

  • Can I use CUTEK® products in my sauna?

    We do not recommend any CUTEK® products for use in saunas.

  • What do I use to clean up a CUTEK® oil spill?

    Time is of the essence.  For best results clean up the excess with rags and then work the stain with CUTEK® Quickclean in water to remove as much of the spill as possible.  If CUTEK® Quickclean is not available, then mix dishwashing liquid into warm water with some mineral turpentine if possible and work the stain with this mixture.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® exterior oils on hot sunny days?

    Yes. Unlike many timber coatings, CUTEK® oils perform well in dry, hot conditions. In fact, heat and ventilation greatly assist the deep diffusion of CUTEK® Extreme CD50 into the timber.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® oils to timber cladding, soffits, panelling, battens and screens?

    Yes. CUTEK® oils can be applied to all exterior timber features. A benefit of using CUTEK® timber oils on cladding, soffits, panelling, battens and screens is the ease of maintenance. No need to sand or strip your timber –  simply clean and recoat.

  • What should be avoided when planning to coat timber with CUTEK® Extreme CD50?
    1. Wet wood, or wood with a high moisture content. Your wood should contain a maximum moisture content of 17%, as anything higher can significantly delay the drying process. If this happens, CUTEK® oils may sit on the surface and eventually go tacky without penetrating properly.
    2. Too many coats too soon. The first application of CUTEK® oil needs to completely diffuse and dry before the next coat is applied.
    3. Existing oil, stain or paint on the surface. Existing film coatings act as a barrier to CUTEK® oil’s penetration. Old coatings must be fully removed by sanding and/or chemical stripping prior to applying CUTEK®.
    4. Cold weather. In cold weather, CUTEK® oils will become thicker and may result in too much oil being applied when coating in cooler climates. It helps to warm oil by placing in a sunny/warm spot before application to make is thinner and enhance penetration.
    5. Contamination. It is very important to ensure that timber surfaces to be coated with CUTEK® oils are free from chemical residues and are not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while the applied CUTEK is drying.  It is possible that contact with highly alkaline contaminants such as cement/fertiliser/other dusts or poorly rinsed cleaners may lead to chemical staining.
  • When should a colourtone be added to CUTEK® wood oils?

    Un-tinted CUTEK® Extreme CD50 will quickly lighten/silver/grey with exposure to sunlight. Unless you want a clear finish that will naturally lighten/silver/grey off in a few months, it is important to mix in a CUTEK® Colourtones to CUTEK® oil before use. Adding CUTEK® Colourtones will provide UV colour protection and slows the lightening/silvering process.

    NOTE: CUTEK® oils diffuse deeply into your timber and will continue to provide moisture protection and improve dimensional stability even if CUTEK® Colourtones are not added and your wood becomes weathered and greyed. To maintain your timber’s natural colour for longer, choose a CUTEK® Colourtone similar to the natural colour of your timber. Suggested CUTEK® Colourtones that match the natural hue of your timber can be found on our Colourtone product page. Colourtones can also help alter your timber colour if required (e.g. make your timber look lighter or darker than its natural state).

    Order a from our website or your local stockist to test if your chosen Colourtone is right for your project.

    NOTE: CUTEK® is unable to offer any specific performance warranties in relation to colour retention for CUTEK® products because of many variables related to the weathering process including but not limited to: the age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design and structure, aspect, differing exposure to the weather and adequacy of preparation.

  • Can CUTEK® be applied without high skill level to avoid “wet edge” marks?

    Yes. CUTEK® products are simple and easy to use and beginners can achieve professional results. Unlike traditional film-based coatings that dry very quickly, or cannot be applied on days that are too hot or too cold, CUTEK® oils give you time to correct and/or clean any areas where too much oil may have been applied no matter what the ambient temperature is. Further, CUTEK® provides a “matte-low sheen” finish which tends to hide surface imperfections in the wood.

  • Are CUTEK® timber oils wet stackable for easy precoating before construction?

    Yes. Wood freshly coated with CUTEK® Extreme CD50 or CUTEK® Machine Coat/CUTEK® Machine Coat (Copper) can be installed straight away or block stacked wet for later use. It is generally not recommended to wet stack timber coated with CUTEK® timber oil where a CUTEK® Colourtone has been added as this may produce an inconsistent ‘smudged’ finish.

  • How long does it take for CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to dry?

    Unlike traditional wood coatings, CUTEK® oil needs to penetrate/diffuse deeply into your timber. After coating, CUTEK® oil will slowly migrate into your wood to repel and displace moisture, improve dimensional stability and lengthen the service life of your timber. This penetration/diffusion process varies in time for many reasons including differences in timber type (species, density, porosity, age of timber and residual moisture content) as well as environmental factors (temperature, humidity, weather). Sometimes this drying process can take several days to complete. You will know when your timber is ready for a recoat of CUTEK® oil when it is completely dry and non-greasy. Please note the second coat of CUTEK® oil will take longer to migrate into your timber than the first coat.

  • What is the average coverage rate (sqm/litre) when using CUTEK® oils?

    CUTEK®’s timber oils coverage will be different depending on the density of the timber you are intending to coat. Please see below for a guide on the coverage rate of different timbers:

    New hardwoods dressed: 10-20 sqm/litre

    Old restored timber dressed: 7-9 sqm/litre

    New timber rough sawn: 7-9 sqm/litre

    Old restored timber rough sawn: 4-7 sqm/litre

    Shingles and shakes: 2-5 sqm/litre

    Head to our Project Planner to learn more about the best products for your project and use our Coverage Calculator.

  • How many coats of CUTEK® oil are required on new timber?

    We recommend applying two thin coats of CUTEK® timber oil for the initial application. A great solution is to have your timber precoated on all sides with your chosen CUTEK® timber oil by a commercial precoater before it arrives on site – (contact us is you need assistance with this). A further thin coat of CUTEK® oil is then applied after installation. Subsequent maintenance coats should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading water, or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural beauty and colour of the wood.

  • How do I apply CUTEK® Extreme CD50?

    STEP 1: Prepare

    Before using CUTEK® oil, ensure the wood to be coated is clean, non-greasy and dry (moisture content must be less than 17%). You must appropriately prepare your timber BEFORE applying CUTEK® oil. It is also very important that the surface of the wood is free from chemical residues and is not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while CUTEK® oil is drying.

    If you have… NEW TIMBER:

    Your timber must be bare, clean and dry before applying CUTEK® oil. If your timber presents with surface contaminants such as stains caused by water, iron or tannins, or chemical residues, we recommend using CUTEK® Restore prior to application of CUTEK® oil.

    If you have… OLD, GREYED OR WEATHERED UNCOATED WOOD:

    Old, dirty, stained or grey weathered timber should be prepared and restored by first applying CUTEK® Restore which will remove the grey and reinstate the original natural colour, grain and beauty of your wood prior to application of CUTEK® oils.

    If you have… WOOD PREVIOUSLY COATED WITH A NON-CUTEK® COATING:

    CUTEK® oils must be applied to bare, clean and dry wood. This allows the CUTEK® oil to freely penetrate/diffuse into your timber. Wood previously coated with a film forming product such as stains, linseed oil, paint, polyurethane, water-based oils, etc. can inhibit this penetration/diffusion and must be removed first with CUTEK® Wood Stripper and CUTEK® Restore prior to the application of CUTEK® oil. In some circumstances complete removal of previous coatings by machine sanding/abrasion can also be a suitable preparation method.

    If you have… WOOD PREVIOUSLY COATED IN CUTEK® EXTREME CD50:

    Prepare for a maintenance recoat of CUTEK® oil by using CUTEK® Quickclean to remove grease, grime and other dirt from your timber. If maintenance has been neglected for a long period of time and the timber has either greyed, become heavily stained by tannins or iron, or if there is an excessive build-up of CUTEK® Colourtone, use CUTEK® Restore to refresh your timber prior to recoating.

    STEP 2: Protect

    BEFORE YOU PROTECT: After preparing your timber, it will need to be completely dry prior to coating with CUTEK® oil. It is very important that your timber is clean, non-greasy and dry with a moisture content of less than 17%. It is also very important that the surface of the wood is free from chemical residues and is not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while CUTEK® oil is drying.

    WEATHER: Once applied, CUTEK® oil generally requires 2-3 days of dry conditions after coating to facilitate full penetration/diffusion and an even colour finish; so check your weather forecast before coating.

    COLOURTONE: Clear, un-tinted CUTEK® oil will allow your wood to naturally lighten/silver/grey when exposed to sunlight while retaining its protection characteristics. Unless you want a clear finish that will naturally lighten/silver/grey off in a few months, it is important to mix in 1 CUTEK® Colourtone to this can of oil before use.

    APPLICATION: Stir the CUTEK® Oil oil thoroughly (with the added CUTEK® Colourtone if desired) before and during use. Make sure you stir from the bottom of the can to ensure active ingredients are properly mixed throughout the oil. Apply thin, even coats with a brush, paint pad or lambswool applicator. CUTEK®’s DeckBoss brush is a good option. TIP: CUTEK® oil works best when applied as a THIN COAT – two or three thin coats on finished wood and hardwoods are much better than one or two thick coats. For best results, ONE coat of CUTEK® oil should be applied to all faces of the wood prior to installing, and apply a SECOND coat once the first coat has completely penetrated/diffused.

    DRYING TIME: Unlike traditional wood coatings, CUTEK® oil needs to penetrate/diffuse deeply into your timber. After coating, CUTEK® oil will slowly migrate into your wood to repel and displace moisture, improve dimensional stability and lengthen the service life of your timber.

    This penetration/diffusion process varies in time for many reasons including differences in timber type (species, density, porosity, age of timber and residual moisture content) as well as environmental factors (temperature, humidity, weather). Sometimes this drying process can take several days to complete. You will know when your timber is ready for a recoat of CUTEK® oil when it is completely dry and non-greasy. Please note the second coat of CUTEK® oil will take longer to migrate into your timber than the first coat.

    CLEAN-UP: Equipment (including brushes) may be cleaned with turps or soap and water. If not correctly cleaned or disposed of, oily rags and other oily materials may cause combustion fires. After use you MUST immediately spread out all oily material outside to dry, by flattening them out to their full size in an airy spot at temperatures above 4 degrees Celsius, or wash them thoroughly with water and detergent and rinse. Remove all oil from all clothes, tools, rags and any other materials contacted during use or as a result of an accidental spill. Ensure wash water is disposed in accordance with local regulations.

    MAINTENANCE: With CUTEK®, maintenance is simple, fast, and cost effective. CUTEK® oil will not crack, peel or split, and your wood can be easily rejuvenated or restored using our Prepare and Protect system – no need to sand or strip. CUTEK® oil should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading water, or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural beauty and colour of the wood. Typically, horizontal exterior wood surfaces exposed to full weather such as pool decks and handrails will require re-coating more frequently (initially after 6 months, then annually), while other surfaces such as vertical rough-sawn cladding will need recoating less often.

  • I have new shingles – I want them to silver with age

    Clear CUTEK® Extreme CD50 will protect your shingles while allowing them to naturally silver with age. Alternatively, you can mix in a “Pumice Grey” CUTEK® Colourtone to silver the shingles from the beginning. DO NOT use CUTEK® oils on roofs that are used to collect drinking water.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® without sanding between coats?

    CUTEK® Extreme CD50 does not behave like traditional film forming coatings, meaning there is no need to sand between coats, unless there is a need to rectify some defect in the timber substrate.

  • Can I use CUTEK®exterior products on outdoor timber furniture?

    Yes. The CUTEK® system is designed to highlight and protect the natural beauty of all timber applications. Our range of Step 1: Prepare products will clean and enhance the timber for application of our Step 2: Protect (Exterior) products that powerfully protect the timber. Adding a CUTEK® Colourtone will help maintain the natural colour of your timber or alter its appearance.

  • Can I use CUTEK® timber oils on LOSP or CCA treated wood or plywood?

    Yes, CUTEK® is safe to use on these types of wood.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® oils over other coatings, deck stains or oils?

    No, generally speaking you cannot. CUTEK® exterior oils must be applied to bare, clean and dry timber. Some oils, stains, paints and films act as a barrier for CUTEK® diffusion/penetration and must be fully removed first. Chemical stripping, heavy sanding or a combination of both are required to ensure all existing coatings are removed.

    Occasionally it is possible to coat CUTEK® oils directly over previously applied, degraded oil-based stain.  To ascertain if this possible, simply flick some cold water onto the surface of the wood to be coated. If it soaks in, then it is OK to use CUTEK® oils. If it beads up, refer to Removing Existing Coatings under Important Information tab. There are no implied performance warranties for the application of CUTEK® oils over any other coating.

  • Why do I have to wait between coats?

    CUTEK® timber oil must be allowed to diffuse into the wood and fully cure between coats. If it is not fully dried, and another coat is applied the drying time of the second coat may be extended for much longer than it needs to be.

    The speed of the drying process varies according to many different factors such as density, porosity, species, residual moisture content and temperature.  Precoated timbers will always dry faster if stacked outside.

  • I have just applied CUTEK® Extreme CD50 oil and it is taking a long time to dry. Why is this?

    CUTEK® oils work by deeply diffusing into the wood and they won’t dry on the surface until this process has been fully completed. The drying process varies in time according to many different factors such as density, porosity, species, residual moisture content and temperature, humidity, wood species and wood density.

    To help ensure your CUTEK® oil dries as quickly as possible, make sure you avoid:

    • Wet wood, or wood with a high moisture content. Your wood should contain a maximum moisture content of 17%, as anything higher can significantly delay the drying process. If this happens, CUTEK® oils may sit on the surface and eventually go tacky without penetrating properly.
    • Cold weather. In cold weather, CUTEK® oils will become thicker and therefore too much oil is applied. Warm oil by placing in a sunny/warm spot before application to make it thinner and enhance penetration.
    • Too many coats too soon. The first application of CUTEK® oil needs to completely diffuse and dry fully before the next coat is applied.
    • Existing oil, stain or paint on the surface. Existing film coats act as a barrier to a CUTEK® oil’s penetration. Old coatings must be fully removed by sanding and or chemical stripping prior to applying any CUTEK® exterior timber oil.

    For best results, always allow CUTEK® oil to fully diffuse before recoating or use.  if you cannot wait, rag off the excess material on the surface and the coating will dry on top at a much faster rate.

  • Can CUTEK® timber oils be used around swimming pools?

    Yes, CUTEK® Extreme CD50 are suitable for use around swimming pools. Indeed, the inside out moisture protection imparted by CUTEK® exterior oils is desirable in wood that comes in contact with water. We recommend the use of clear rather than colourtoned CUTEK® oils on timber that is subjected to a constant washing action from swimming pool activities because of the rapid rate of colour erosion that occurs with frequent water contact.  This way the necessity for frequent recoating for colour retention is avoided while the timber remains protected from constant damaging water ingress.  Please be aware that powerful pool chemicals that are allowed to contact CUTEK® coated wood in a concentrated form may stain coated timbers. CUTEK® exterior oils are not suitable for use on timber that is permanently immersed in water.

  • Can I use CUTEK® timber oils inside?

    No, CUTEK® timber oils (CUTEK® Extreme CD50) should not be used for interior timber applications. CUTEK®  exterior oils contain small amounts of copper salts that may impart a faint green hue that could be accentuated by the presence of some extractives found in very light or white coloured substrates. Although this is not common, it is more likely to occur in an interior application or in areas not exposed to UV light. Some commonly used light coloured timber species used internally where this may be an issue are Hoop Pine, Hemlock, Tasmanian Oak and Victorian Ash (list not exhaustive). CUTEK® manufacture a copper free option called CUTEK® Euro which may be suitable for use on light-coloured timbers in this situation. Please contact us for technical advice prior to attempting to use CUTEK® exterior oils inside.

  • What do I use to clean up a CUTEK® oil spill?

    Time is of the essence.  For best results clean up the excess with rags and then work the stain with CUTEK® Quickclean in water to remove as much of the spill as possible.  If CUTEK® Quickclean is not available, then mix dishwashing liquid into warm water with some mineral turpentine if possible and work the stain with this mixture.

  • What are the PPE and safety requirements when using CUTEK® products?

    Before you use any CUTEK® product, you must ALWAYS read the product label in it’s entirety as well as follow the specific directions outlined on the applicable CUTEK® Safety Data Sheet/s which you can download here.

    The PPE and safety requirements will vary depending on what CUTEK® product/s you are using.

  • Is there any warranty on CUTEK® products?

    While CUTEK® products are manufactured to the highest standard, we are unable to offer any specific performance warranties related to protection and/or colour retention because of the wide variation of possible applications and purposes for CUTEK® products. These variables include but are not limited to: the age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design and structure, aspect, differing exposure to the weather and adequacy of preparation.

    CUTEK® will not accept liability for:

    • the application of incorrect colour to any substrate for any reason
    • the application of CUTEK® to wood with a moisture content greater than 17%
    • the application of CUTEK® to any substrate with a pre-existing coating

    Further, while some manufacturers choose to specify CUTEK® materials for use with their own products, CUTEK® is not included or involved with any independent warranties issued by a specific manufacturer or distributor in relation to their own product.

    CUTEK® provides free sample test pots of our products to help you determine whether one of our products is suitable for your project. We ALWAYS recommend testing our products prior to application. Please order a from our website or contact your closest reseller.

  • I have new shingles – I want them to silver with age

    Clear CUTEK® Extreme CD50 will protect your shingles while allowing them to naturally silver with age. Alternatively, you can mix in a “Pumice Grey” CUTEK® Colourtone to silver the shingles from the beginning. DO NOT use CUTEK® oils on roofs that are used to collect drinking water.

  • I want to protect my new wood, but I want it to naturally silver with age.

    For exterior timber, applying CUTEK® Extreme CD50 as a clear oil will protect the wood against moisture while allowing it to naturally lighten/silver to a natural patina over time as long as it is exposed to the sun.

  • What about natural oils? They’re supposed to be good for wood.

    Most natural oils claim to be ‘penetrating oils’ but will actually contain drying oils/resins and evaporating solvents which form a traditional varnish/film type encapsulation coating once the VOC solvents in the formula have evaporated. Once this surface type coating has been degraded by weathering, cutting or fastener perforation, water may freely enter the timber leading to significant cupping and splitting.

    Many ‘natural’ oils may develop unsightly mould and fungal growth on the coated surface and beneath subsequently applied coatings when exposed to the natural exterior environment.  This situation can be difficult and costly to fix.

    Additionally, many natural oil type formulations have very high VOC levels (often >50%).  This means that a cheaper high VOC  natural oil type product may become a more expensive choice when the amount of product that actually remains active in the coated timber is calculated.

  • What is a VOC?

    Broadly speaking volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are organic chemical compounds whose composition makes it possible for them to evaporate under normal atmospheric conditions of temperature and pressure. “Volatile” describes a liquid that evaporates at room temperature, and the word “organic” generally means it is a compound that contains carbon. Most CUTEK® oils have significantly lower VOC’s (ASTM2369) than other oil-based wood coatings. What this translates to is much better value for money for the user of CUTEK® products as more of the product penetrates and stays in the timber without evaporating off to the environment.

  • Can I use CUTEK® timber oils inside?

    No, CUTEK® timber oils (CUTEK® Extreme CD50) should not be used for interior timber applications. CUTEK®  exterior oils contain small amounts of copper salts that may impart a faint green hue that could be accentuated by the presence of some extractives found in very light or white coloured substrates. Although this is not common, it is more likely to occur in an interior application or in areas not exposed to UV light. Some commonly used light coloured timber species used internally where this may be an issue are Hoop Pine, Hemlock, Tasmanian Oak and Victorian Ash (list not exhaustive). CUTEK® manufacture a copper free option called CUTEK® Euro which may be suitable for use on light-coloured timbers in this situation. Please contact us for technical advice prior to attempting to use CUTEK® exterior oils inside.

  • How Is CUTEK® different?

    CUTEK® EXTERIOR TIMBER OILS – TRUE PENETRATING OILS WITH A SELF HEALING EFFECT

    CUTEK® timber oils offer powerful protection while enhancing the natural beauty of timber. CUTEK® timber oils diffuse deeply into timber to repel moisture, maintain structural integrity and ensure the longest possible service life.

    What sets CUTEK® timber oil apart is it’s ‘self-healing’ action. Once diffused, CUTEK® oil remain permanently mobile in the timber actively driving out moisture to minimise cupping, warping and splitting, even after being cut or perforated with fasteners. CUTEK® penetrating oils have a 30-year proven track record of standing up to  our challenging New Zealand climate and harsh environments around the world.

    Traditional varnish and natural oil ‘penetrating’ type coatings work by forming a protective film on the surface of the wood to protect against moisture damage. Over time, UV rays and timber movement break down this film causing it to degrade, flake or peel. This allows water to get into the timber which will leads to cupping, warping, splitting and rot. Rectification is costly and time consuming as the old coating will need to stripped away before reapplying.

    CUTEK® is different. CUTEK® timber oils penetrate deep into the wood core and drive moisture out of the wood from the inside. This offers superior long-term protection and minimises cupping, warping and splitting. This penetrating oil technology ensures the longest possible service life for your timber. It has been proven to work and has been independently tested by industry experts in many countries over the last 30 years.

    CUTEK® timber oils protect from the inside out by actively displacing water throughout the wood and providing unsurpassed long-term protection against water damage. The protective components penetrate and stay PERMANENTLY MOBILE in the timber, migrating to any cut or perforation automatically sealing it against the damaging effects of moisture. It is this mobility and self-healing effect which makes CUTEK® the professional’s choice for long-term timber protection.

    NOTE: Coatings that are not permanently mobile inside the wood and do not exhibit the self-healing effect ARE NOT the same as CUTEK® no matter what is claimed. Our first priority is always to extend and maximise the service life of timber NOT to steer you into the ecosystem of our other products.

    To maximise your timber’s unique features, we have developed a simple 2 step system.

    • Step 1   PREPARE   Enhance your wood by preparing it properly for coating
    • Step 2   PROTECT   Long-term protection that highlights the natural beauty of your timber and improves dimensional stability.

    Each product in the CUTEK® system has been designed to be easy to use and reduce the manual labour required for timber protection.

    Maintenance is quick, simple and cost effective. CUTEK® timber oils do not flake or peel meaning that you generally do not have to sand or strip again.

  • What do I use to clean up a CUTEK® oil spill?

    Time is of the essence.  For best results clean up the excess with rags and then work the stain with CUTEK® Quickclean in water to remove as much of the spill as possible.  If CUTEK® Quickclean is not available, then mix dishwashing liquid into warm water with some mineral turpentine if possible and work the stain with this mixture.

  • Do CUTEK® timber oils have an accumulative effect?

    Yes. CUTEK® timber oils deeply diffuse into timber, protecting it from the inside out. CUTEK® timber oils stay permanently mobile inside the timber to repel and displace moisture. With each additional coat of CUTEK® timber oil, this protection increases. This means that the more CUTEK® oil you let soak deep into your timber, the better protected against water that timber will be.

  • How many coats of CUTEK® oil are required for maintenance and how frequently should timber be maintained with CUTEK®?

    One THIN coat is all that is required for maintenance of an existing exterior CUTEK® job. Maintenance intervals vary widely and are dependent on many factors such as age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design, aspect, and degree of exposure to the weather.

    Maintain as frequently as deemed necessary to retain the natural beauty and colour of the timber, or if your wood is no longer beading water.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® exterior oils on hot sunny days?

    Yes. Unlike many timber coatings, CUTEK® oils perform well in dry, hot conditions. In fact, heat and ventilation greatly assist the deep diffusion of CUTEK® Extreme CD50 into the timber.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® oils to timber cladding, soffits, panelling, battens and screens?

    Yes. CUTEK® oils can be applied to all exterior timber features. A benefit of using CUTEK® timber oils on cladding, soffits, panelling, battens and screens is the ease of maintenance. No need to sand or strip your timber –  simply clean and recoat.

  • Are CUTEK® exterior wood protection oils interchangeable?

    Yes. All exterior CUTEK® oils are interchangeable.

    Do not worry if your previous CUTEK® oil has now been discontinued. CUTEK® Extreme CD50 and CUTEK® Euro are able to be used over the top of CUTEK® Extreme CD50.

    NOTE: We do not recommend that different types of CUTEK® exterior oils are mixed together in the can.

  • What should be avoided when planning to coat timber with CUTEK® Extreme CD50?
    1. Wet wood, or wood with a high moisture content. Your wood should contain a maximum moisture content of 17%, as anything higher can significantly delay the drying process. If this happens, CUTEK® oils may sit on the surface and eventually go tacky without penetrating properly.
    2. Too many coats too soon. The first application of CUTEK® oil needs to completely diffuse and dry before the next coat is applied.
    3. Existing oil, stain or paint on the surface. Existing film coatings act as a barrier to CUTEK® oil’s penetration. Old coatings must be fully removed by sanding and/or chemical stripping prior to applying CUTEK®.
    4. Cold weather. In cold weather, CUTEK® oils will become thicker and may result in too much oil being applied when coating in cooler climates. It helps to warm oil by placing in a sunny/warm spot before application to make is thinner and enhance penetration.
    5. Contamination. It is very important to ensure that timber surfaces to be coated with CUTEK® oils are free from chemical residues and are not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while the applied CUTEK is drying.  It is possible that contact with highly alkaline contaminants such as cement/fertiliser/other dusts or poorly rinsed cleaners may lead to chemical staining.
  • When should a colourtone be added to CUTEK® wood oils?

    Un-tinted CUTEK® Extreme CD50 will quickly lighten/silver/grey with exposure to sunlight. Unless you want a clear finish that will naturally lighten/silver/grey off in a few months, it is important to mix in a CUTEK® Colourtones to CUTEK® oil before use. Adding CUTEK® Colourtones will provide UV colour protection and slows the lightening/silvering process.

    NOTE: CUTEK® oils diffuse deeply into your timber and will continue to provide moisture protection and improve dimensional stability even if CUTEK® Colourtones are not added and your wood becomes weathered and greyed. To maintain your timber’s natural colour for longer, choose a CUTEK® Colourtone similar to the natural colour of your timber. Suggested CUTEK® Colourtones that match the natural hue of your timber can be found on our Colourtone product page. Colourtones can also help alter your timber colour if required (e.g. make your timber look lighter or darker than its natural state).

    Order a from our website or your local stockist to test if your chosen Colourtone is right for your project.

    NOTE: CUTEK® is unable to offer any specific performance warranties in relation to colour retention for CUTEK® products because of many variables related to the weathering process including but not limited to: the age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design and structure, aspect, differing exposure to the weather and adequacy of preparation.

  • How long does it take for CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to dry?

    Unlike traditional wood coatings, CUTEK® oil needs to penetrate/diffuse deeply into your timber. After coating, CUTEK® oil will slowly migrate into your wood to repel and displace moisture, improve dimensional stability and lengthen the service life of your timber. This penetration/diffusion process varies in time for many reasons including differences in timber type (species, density, porosity, age of timber and residual moisture content) as well as environmental factors (temperature, humidity, weather). Sometimes this drying process can take several days to complete. You will know when your timber is ready for a recoat of CUTEK® oil when it is completely dry and non-greasy. Please note the second coat of CUTEK® oil will take longer to migrate into your timber than the first coat.

  • What is the average coverage rate (sqm/litre) when using CUTEK® oils?

    CUTEK®’s timber oils coverage will be different depending on the density of the timber you are intending to coat. Please see below for a guide on the coverage rate of different timbers:

    New hardwoods dressed: 10-20 sqm/litre

    Old restored timber dressed: 7-9 sqm/litre

    New timber rough sawn: 7-9 sqm/litre

    Old restored timber rough sawn: 4-7 sqm/litre

    Shingles and shakes: 2-5 sqm/litre

    Head to our Project Planner to learn more about the best products for your project and use our Coverage Calculator.

  • How many coats of CUTEK® oil are required on new timber?

    We recommend applying two thin coats of CUTEK® timber oil for the initial application. A great solution is to have your timber precoated on all sides with your chosen CUTEK® timber oil by a commercial precoater before it arrives on site – (contact us is you need assistance with this). A further thin coat of CUTEK® oil is then applied after installation. Subsequent maintenance coats should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading water, or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural beauty and colour of the wood.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® Extreme CD50 without preparing my timber?

    CUTEK® timber oils must be applied to clean, dry and non-greasy timber. It is vital that previous coatings are removed prior to applying a coat of CUTEK® timber oil.

    CUTEK® timber oil may be applied to new timber without preparation however for the best possible outcomes we recommend using CUTEK® Restore to clean the surface and open up the grain of the timber to assist in the diffusion of CUTEK® timber oil and removal of extractives/tannins.

  • How do I apply CUTEK® Extreme CD50?

    STEP 1: Prepare

    Before using CUTEK® oil, ensure the wood to be coated is clean, non-greasy and dry (moisture content must be less than 17%). You must appropriately prepare your timber BEFORE applying CUTEK® oil. It is also very important that the surface of the wood is free from chemical residues and is not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while CUTEK® oil is drying.

    If you have… NEW TIMBER:

    Your timber must be bare, clean and dry before applying CUTEK® oil. If your timber presents with surface contaminants such as stains caused by water, iron or tannins, or chemical residues, we recommend using CUTEK® Restore prior to application of CUTEK® oil.

    If you have… OLD, GREYED OR WEATHERED UNCOATED WOOD:

    Old, dirty, stained or grey weathered timber should be prepared and restored by first applying CUTEK® Restore which will remove the grey and reinstate the original natural colour, grain and beauty of your wood prior to application of CUTEK® oils.

    If you have… WOOD PREVIOUSLY COATED WITH A NON-CUTEK® COATING:

    CUTEK® oils must be applied to bare, clean and dry wood. This allows the CUTEK® oil to freely penetrate/diffuse into your timber. Wood previously coated with a film forming product such as stains, linseed oil, paint, polyurethane, water-based oils, etc. can inhibit this penetration/diffusion and must be removed first with CUTEK® Wood Stripper and CUTEK® Restore prior to the application of CUTEK® oil. In some circumstances complete removal of previous coatings by machine sanding/abrasion can also be a suitable preparation method.

    If you have… WOOD PREVIOUSLY COATED IN CUTEK® EXTREME CD50:

    Prepare for a maintenance recoat of CUTEK® oil by using CUTEK® Quickclean to remove grease, grime and other dirt from your timber. If maintenance has been neglected for a long period of time and the timber has either greyed, become heavily stained by tannins or iron, or if there is an excessive build-up of CUTEK® Colourtone, use CUTEK® Restore to refresh your timber prior to recoating.

    STEP 2: Protect

    BEFORE YOU PROTECT: After preparing your timber, it will need to be completely dry prior to coating with CUTEK® oil. It is very important that your timber is clean, non-greasy and dry with a moisture content of less than 17%. It is also very important that the surface of the wood is free from chemical residues and is not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while CUTEK® oil is drying.

    WEATHER: Once applied, CUTEK® oil generally requires 2-3 days of dry conditions after coating to facilitate full penetration/diffusion and an even colour finish; so check your weather forecast before coating.

    COLOURTONE: Clear, un-tinted CUTEK® oil will allow your wood to naturally lighten/silver/grey when exposed to sunlight while retaining its protection characteristics. Unless you want a clear finish that will naturally lighten/silver/grey off in a few months, it is important to mix in 1 CUTEK® Colourtone to this can of oil before use.

    APPLICATION: Stir the CUTEK® Oil oil thoroughly (with the added CUTEK® Colourtone if desired) before and during use. Make sure you stir from the bottom of the can to ensure active ingredients are properly mixed throughout the oil. Apply thin, even coats with a brush, paint pad or lambswool applicator. CUTEK®’s DeckBoss brush is a good option. TIP: CUTEK® oil works best when applied as a THIN COAT – two or three thin coats on finished wood and hardwoods are much better than one or two thick coats. For best results, ONE coat of CUTEK® oil should be applied to all faces of the wood prior to installing, and apply a SECOND coat once the first coat has completely penetrated/diffused.

    DRYING TIME: Unlike traditional wood coatings, CUTEK® oil needs to penetrate/diffuse deeply into your timber. After coating, CUTEK® oil will slowly migrate into your wood to repel and displace moisture, improve dimensional stability and lengthen the service life of your timber.

    This penetration/diffusion process varies in time for many reasons including differences in timber type (species, density, porosity, age of timber and residual moisture content) as well as environmental factors (temperature, humidity, weather). Sometimes this drying process can take several days to complete. You will know when your timber is ready for a recoat of CUTEK® oil when it is completely dry and non-greasy. Please note the second coat of CUTEK® oil will take longer to migrate into your timber than the first coat.

    CLEAN-UP: Equipment (including brushes) may be cleaned with turps or soap and water. If not correctly cleaned or disposed of, oily rags and other oily materials may cause combustion fires. After use you MUST immediately spread out all oily material outside to dry, by flattening them out to their full size in an airy spot at temperatures above 4 degrees Celsius, or wash them thoroughly with water and detergent and rinse. Remove all oil from all clothes, tools, rags and any other materials contacted during use or as a result of an accidental spill. Ensure wash water is disposed in accordance with local regulations.

    MAINTENANCE: With CUTEK®, maintenance is simple, fast, and cost effective. CUTEK® oil will not crack, peel or split, and your wood can be easily rejuvenated or restored using our Prepare and Protect system – no need to sand or strip. CUTEK® oil should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading water, or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural beauty and colour of the wood. Typically, horizontal exterior wood surfaces exposed to full weather such as pool decks and handrails will require re-coating more frequently (initially after 6 months, then annually), while other surfaces such as vertical rough-sawn cladding will need recoating less often.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® without sanding between coats?

    CUTEK® Extreme CD50 does not behave like traditional film forming coatings, meaning there is no need to sand between coats, unless there is a need to rectify some defect in the timber substrate.

  • Why do I have to wait between coats?

    CUTEK® timber oil must be allowed to diffuse into the wood and fully cure between coats. If it is not fully dried, and another coat is applied the drying time of the second coat may be extended for much longer than it needs to be.

    The speed of the drying process varies according to many different factors such as density, porosity, species, residual moisture content and temperature.  Precoated timbers will always dry faster if stacked outside.

  • I have just applied CUTEK® Extreme CD50 oil and it is taking a long time to dry. Why is this?

    CUTEK® oils work by deeply diffusing into the wood and they won’t dry on the surface until this process has been fully completed. The drying process varies in time according to many different factors such as density, porosity, species, residual moisture content and temperature, humidity, wood species and wood density.

    To help ensure your CUTEK® oil dries as quickly as possible, make sure you avoid:

    • Wet wood, or wood with a high moisture content. Your wood should contain a maximum moisture content of 17%, as anything higher can significantly delay the drying process. If this happens, CUTEK® oils may sit on the surface and eventually go tacky without penetrating properly.
    • Cold weather. In cold weather, CUTEK® oils will become thicker and therefore too much oil is applied. Warm oil by placing in a sunny/warm spot before application to make it thinner and enhance penetration.
    • Too many coats too soon. The first application of CUTEK® oil needs to completely diffuse and dry fully before the next coat is applied.
    • Existing oil, stain or paint on the surface. Existing film coats act as a barrier to a CUTEK® oil’s penetration. Old coatings must be fully removed by sanding and or chemical stripping prior to applying any CUTEK® exterior timber oil.

    For best results, always allow CUTEK® oil to fully diffuse before recoating or use.  if you cannot wait, rag off the excess material on the surface and the coating will dry on top at a much faster rate.

  • Do CUTEK® timber oils ever peel or flake?

    No. CUTEK® timber oils (CUTEK® Extreme CD50) will not peel or flake, although over time CUTEK® coated wood will fade where it is exposed to the sun. If this occurs, the timber will require a maintenance coat of Colourtoned CUTEK® oil to maintain your colour choice. The rate of fading will vary depending on species, situation, design, degree of weather exposure and other environmental factors.

  • What steps should I follow when removing an existing coating?

    CUTEK® oils must be applied to bare, clean and dry wood. This allows the CUTEK® oil to freely penetrate/diffuse into your timber. Wood previously coated with a film forming product such as stains, linseed oil, paint, polyurethane, water-based oils, etc. can inhibit this penetration/diffusion and must be removed:

    1. Remove previous coating using CUTEK® Wood Stripper. It is safe and user-friendly and is suitable to remove multiple layers of most commonly used wood coatings.
    2. Restore the colour and enhance the grain with CUTEK® Restore. CUTEK® Restore will bring weathered and stained timber back to life.

     

    After removing the previous coating, it is important to protect your exteior timber with either CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to repel and displace moisture, and extend service life.

  • Can I use CUTEK®exterior products on outdoor timber furniture?

    Yes. The CUTEK® system is designed to highlight and protect the natural beauty of all timber applications. Our range of Step 1: Prepare products will clean and enhance the timber for application of our Step 2: Protect (Exterior) products that powerfully protect the timber. Adding a CUTEK® Colourtone will help maintain the natural colour of your timber or alter its appearance.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® oils over other coatings, deck stains or oils?

    No, generally speaking you cannot. CUTEK® exterior oils must be applied to bare, clean and dry timber. Some oils, stains, paints and films act as a barrier for CUTEK® diffusion/penetration and must be fully removed first. Chemical stripping, heavy sanding or a combination of both are required to ensure all existing coatings are removed.

    Occasionally it is possible to coat CUTEK® oils directly over previously applied, degraded oil-based stain.  To ascertain if this possible, simply flick some cold water onto the surface of the wood to be coated. If it soaks in, then it is OK to use CUTEK® oils. If it beads up, refer to Removing Existing Coatings under Important Information tab. There are no implied performance warranties for the application of CUTEK® oils over any other coating.

  • Does CUTEK® ECO have the same properties as CUTEK® Extreme CD50?

    Like CUTEK® Extreme CD50, CUTEK® ECO penetrates deeply into the timber to minimise splitting, cupping, and warping. It also stays permanently mobile inside the timber to repel and displace moisture. With each additional coat of CUTEK® ECO, this protection increases.

  • Can CUTEK® ECO be tinted with a CUTEK® Colourtone?

    Yes, CUTEK® ECO can be tinted with a CUTEK® Colourtone and will offer a similar level of UV protection as with any of our other Colourtoned CUTEK® oils.

  • Does CUTEK® have an eco-friendly oil available?

    All CUTEK® oils are environmentally safe and friendly for all exterior timber projects. CUTEK® ECO is specially formulated for architectural projects where a Green Star rating is desired.

  • What is the difference between CUTEK® Extreme CD50 and CUTEK® ECO?

    CUTEK® Extreme CD50 is the core product we recommend for all exterior timber projects and is readily available in stores, however, CUTEK® ECO is has been developed for architectural projects where a Green Star rating is required.

  • Is CUTEK® ECO suitable for Green Star projects?

    Yes, CUTEK® ECO is suitable for Green Star projects. CUTEK® ECO is specially formulated with a VOC 75g/litre (measured by EU Directive 2004/42/CE) and manufactured from approximately 60% recycled and bio-renewable materials.

  • Why can’t CUTEK® Extreme CD50 have UV protection when untinted?

    As a clear oil, UV rays pass through CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to the timber, resulting in a silver patina after sun exposure. Adding a CUTEK® Colourtone reflects and deflects the sun’s UV rays off the timber.

  • Can I use CUTEK® Extreme CD50 on internal flooring?

    No. We do not recommend the use of CUTEK® Extreme CD50 on flooring.

  • Does CUTEK® Quickclean remove stains and rejuvenate my timber?

    No. CUTEK® Quickclean powerfully cleans timber to remove surface dirt, grease and grime. Whilst is can remove some stains, it is not effective in removing stubborn stains from timber and/or restoring timber back to its original colour. If you need to remove stubborn stains or restore grey and weathered wood, use CUTEK® Restore.

  • Should I only use CUTEK® Quickclean to prepare my timber for a maintenance coat of CUTEK® Exterior timber oils?

    We believe CUTEK® Quickclean is the premier timber cleaner in the market. CUTEK® Quickclean is perfect to clean your timber in preparation for a maintenance coat of CUTEK® Extreme CD50, however it can also be used for regular timber cleaning.

    Regular timber cleaning is important to maximising service life of wood and with CUTEK® Quickclean, timber cleaning is easy and cost effective.

  • Does CUTEK® Quickclean cure mould?

    No. CUTEK® Quickclean will remove mould and fungal growth on the surface of the timber however it does not cure the timber from mould reappearing on the timber.

    To protect timber against mould and fungal decay, apply CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to your timber. CUTEK® Extreme CD50 coated wood resists damage caused by fungal decay, mould, termites and rot while repelling moisture to improve dimensional stability and minimise cupping, warping and splitting.

  • What is the difference between CUTEK® Quickclean and CUTEK® Restore?

    CUTEK® Quickclean is a powerful general purpose outdoor cleaner that removes dirt, grease and grim from outdoor surfaces. It is excellent to use to clean timber in preparation for a maintenance coat of CUTEK® Extreme CD50.

    CUTEK® Restore is a timber restoration agent that restores stained, weathered and grey wood back to its original appearance. CUTEK® Restore is effective in removing stubborn stains caused by tannins, water, iron, resins, mould and fungus. It should to restore weathered timber, remove stains from timber and/or restore timber back to its original appearance. Typically, CUTEK® Restore is utilised to rejuvenate timber before the initial coat of CUTEK® Extreme CD50 is applied.

  • There are plenty of wood cleaners on the market, what makes CUTEK® Restore different?

    CUTEK® Restore is a commercial strength restoration agent with a thirty-year pedigree designed by professionals for professionals that works quickly to remove heavy discolouration, greying, iron stains, water stains etc from all species of wood while brightening the natural grain.  CUTEK® Restore resists drying out on a hot day like most DIY cleaners. It keeps working with a deep cleaning action when others stop.

  • Do CUTEK® timber oils have an accumulative effect?

    Yes. CUTEK® timber oils deeply diffuse into timber, protecting it from the inside out. CUTEK® timber oils stay permanently mobile inside the timber to repel and displace moisture. With each additional coat of CUTEK® timber oil, this protection increases. This means that the more CUTEK® oil you let soak deep into your timber, the better protected against water that timber will be.

  • How many coats of CUTEK® oil are required for maintenance and how frequently should timber be maintained with CUTEK®?

    One THIN coat is all that is required for maintenance of an existing exterior CUTEK® job. Maintenance intervals vary widely and are dependent on many factors such as age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design, aspect, and degree of exposure to the weather.

    Maintain as frequently as deemed necessary to retain the natural beauty and colour of the timber, or if your wood is no longer beading water.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® exterior oils on hot sunny days?

    Yes. Unlike many timber coatings, CUTEK® oils perform well in dry, hot conditions. In fact, heat and ventilation greatly assist the deep diffusion of CUTEK® Extreme CD50 into the timber.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® oils to timber cladding, soffits, panelling, battens and screens?

    Yes. CUTEK® oils can be applied to all exterior timber features. A benefit of using CUTEK® timber oils on cladding, soffits, panelling, battens and screens is the ease of maintenance. No need to sand or strip your timber –  simply clean and recoat.

  • Are CUTEK® exterior wood protection oils interchangeable?

    Yes. All exterior CUTEK® oils are interchangeable.

    Do not worry if your previous CUTEK® oil has now been discontinued. CUTEK® Extreme CD50 and CUTEK® Euro are able to be used over the top of CUTEK® Extreme CD50.

    NOTE: We do not recommend that different types of CUTEK® exterior oils are mixed together in the can.

  • What steps should I follow when removing an existing coating?

    CUTEK® oils must be applied to bare, clean and dry wood. This allows the CUTEK® oil to freely penetrate/diffuse into your timber. Wood previously coated with a film forming product such as stains, linseed oil, paint, polyurethane, water-based oils, etc. can inhibit this penetration/diffusion and must be removed:

    1. Remove previous coating using CUTEK® Wood Stripper. It is safe and user-friendly and is suitable to remove multiple layers of most commonly used wood coatings.
    2. Restore the colour and enhance the grain with CUTEK® Restore. CUTEK® Restore will bring weathered and stained timber back to life.

     

    After removing the previous coating, it is important to protect your exteior timber with either CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to repel and displace moisture, and extend service life.

  • What should be avoided when planning to coat timber with CUTEK® Extreme CD50?
    1. Wet wood, or wood with a high moisture content. Your wood should contain a maximum moisture content of 17%, as anything higher can significantly delay the drying process. If this happens, CUTEK® oils may sit on the surface and eventually go tacky without penetrating properly.
    2. Too many coats too soon. The first application of CUTEK® oil needs to completely diffuse and dry before the next coat is applied.
    3. Existing oil, stain or paint on the surface. Existing film coatings act as a barrier to CUTEK® oil’s penetration. Old coatings must be fully removed by sanding and/or chemical stripping prior to applying CUTEK®.
    4. Cold weather. In cold weather, CUTEK® oils will become thicker and may result in too much oil being applied when coating in cooler climates. It helps to warm oil by placing in a sunny/warm spot before application to make is thinner and enhance penetration.
    5. Contamination. It is very important to ensure that timber surfaces to be coated with CUTEK® oils are free from chemical residues and are not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while the applied CUTEK is drying.  It is possible that contact with highly alkaline contaminants such as cement/fertiliser/other dusts or poorly rinsed cleaners may lead to chemical staining.
  • When should a colourtone be added to CUTEK® wood oils?

    Un-tinted CUTEK® Extreme CD50 will quickly lighten/silver/grey with exposure to sunlight. Unless you want a clear finish that will naturally lighten/silver/grey off in a few months, it is important to mix in a CUTEK® Colourtones to CUTEK® oil before use. Adding CUTEK® Colourtones will provide UV colour protection and slows the lightening/silvering process.

    NOTE: CUTEK® oils diffuse deeply into your timber and will continue to provide moisture protection and improve dimensional stability even if CUTEK® Colourtones are not added and your wood becomes weathered and greyed. To maintain your timber’s natural colour for longer, choose a CUTEK® Colourtone similar to the natural colour of your timber. Suggested CUTEK® Colourtones that match the natural hue of your timber can be found on our Colourtone product page. Colourtones can also help alter your timber colour if required (e.g. make your timber look lighter or darker than its natural state).

    Order a from our website or your local stockist to test if your chosen Colourtone is right for your project.

    NOTE: CUTEK® is unable to offer any specific performance warranties in relation to colour retention for CUTEK® products because of many variables related to the weathering process including but not limited to: the age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design and structure, aspect, differing exposure to the weather and adequacy of preparation.

  • Can CUTEK® be applied without high skill level to avoid “wet edge” marks?

    Yes. CUTEK® products are simple and easy to use and beginners can achieve professional results. Unlike traditional film-based coatings that dry very quickly, or cannot be applied on days that are too hot or too cold, CUTEK® oils give you time to correct and/or clean any areas where too much oil may have been applied no matter what the ambient temperature is. Further, CUTEK® provides a “matte-low sheen” finish which tends to hide surface imperfections in the wood.

  • Are CUTEK® timber oils wet stackable for easy precoating before construction?

    Yes. Wood freshly coated with CUTEK® Extreme CD50 or CUTEK® Machine Coat/CUTEK® Machine Coat (Copper) can be installed straight away or block stacked wet for later use. It is generally not recommended to wet stack timber coated with CUTEK® timber oil where a CUTEK® Colourtone has been added as this may produce an inconsistent ‘smudged’ finish.

  • How long does it take for CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to dry?

    Unlike traditional wood coatings, CUTEK® oil needs to penetrate/diffuse deeply into your timber. After coating, CUTEK® oil will slowly migrate into your wood to repel and displace moisture, improve dimensional stability and lengthen the service life of your timber. This penetration/diffusion process varies in time for many reasons including differences in timber type (species, density, porosity, age of timber and residual moisture content) as well as environmental factors (temperature, humidity, weather). Sometimes this drying process can take several days to complete. You will know when your timber is ready for a recoat of CUTEK® oil when it is completely dry and non-greasy. Please note the second coat of CUTEK® oil will take longer to migrate into your timber than the first coat.

  • What is the average coverage rate (sqm/litre) when using CUTEK® oils?

    CUTEK®’s timber oils coverage will be different depending on the density of the timber you are intending to coat. Please see below for a guide on the coverage rate of different timbers:

    New hardwoods dressed: 10-20 sqm/litre

    Old restored timber dressed: 7-9 sqm/litre

    New timber rough sawn: 7-9 sqm/litre

    Old restored timber rough sawn: 4-7 sqm/litre

    Shingles and shakes: 2-5 sqm/litre

    Head to our Project Planner to learn more about the best products for your project and use our Coverage Calculator.

  • How many coats of CUTEK® oil are required on new timber?

    We recommend applying two thin coats of CUTEK® timber oil for the initial application. A great solution is to have your timber precoated on all sides with your chosen CUTEK® timber oil by a commercial precoater before it arrives on site – (contact us is you need assistance with this). A further thin coat of CUTEK® oil is then applied after installation. Subsequent maintenance coats should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading water, or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural beauty and colour of the wood.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® Extreme CD50 without preparing my timber?

    CUTEK® timber oils must be applied to clean, dry and non-greasy timber. It is vital that previous coatings are removed prior to applying a coat of CUTEK® timber oil.

    CUTEK® timber oil may be applied to new timber without preparation however for the best possible outcomes we recommend using CUTEK® Restore to clean the surface and open up the grain of the timber to assist in the diffusion of CUTEK® timber oil and removal of extractives/tannins.

  • How do I apply CUTEK® Extreme CD50?

    STEP 1: Prepare

    Before using CUTEK® oil, ensure the wood to be coated is clean, non-greasy and dry (moisture content must be less than 17%). You must appropriately prepare your timber BEFORE applying CUTEK® oil. It is also very important that the surface of the wood is free from chemical residues and is not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while CUTEK® oil is drying.

    If you have… NEW TIMBER:

    Your timber must be bare, clean and dry before applying CUTEK® oil. If your timber presents with surface contaminants such as stains caused by water, iron or tannins, or chemical residues, we recommend using CUTEK® Restore prior to application of CUTEK® oil.

    If you have… OLD, GREYED OR WEATHERED UNCOATED WOOD:

    Old, dirty, stained or grey weathered timber should be prepared and restored by first applying CUTEK® Restore which will remove the grey and reinstate the original natural colour, grain and beauty of your wood prior to application of CUTEK® oils.

    If you have… WOOD PREVIOUSLY COATED WITH A NON-CUTEK® COATING:

    CUTEK® oils must be applied to bare, clean and dry wood. This allows the CUTEK® oil to freely penetrate/diffuse into your timber. Wood previously coated with a film forming product such as stains, linseed oil, paint, polyurethane, water-based oils, etc. can inhibit this penetration/diffusion and must be removed first with CUTEK® Wood Stripper and CUTEK® Restore prior to the application of CUTEK® oil. In some circumstances complete removal of previous coatings by machine sanding/abrasion can also be a suitable preparation method.

    If you have… WOOD PREVIOUSLY COATED IN CUTEK® EXTREME CD50:

    Prepare for a maintenance recoat of CUTEK® oil by using CUTEK® Quickclean to remove grease, grime and other dirt from your timber. If maintenance has been neglected for a long period of time and the timber has either greyed, become heavily stained by tannins or iron, or if there is an excessive build-up of CUTEK® Colourtone, use CUTEK® Restore to refresh your timber prior to recoating.

    STEP 2: Protect

    BEFORE YOU PROTECT: After preparing your timber, it will need to be completely dry prior to coating with CUTEK® oil. It is very important that your timber is clean, non-greasy and dry with a moisture content of less than 17%. It is also very important that the surface of the wood is free from chemical residues and is not exposed to environmental contaminants such as dusts while CUTEK® oil is drying.

    WEATHER: Once applied, CUTEK® oil generally requires 2-3 days of dry conditions after coating to facilitate full penetration/diffusion and an even colour finish; so check your weather forecast before coating.

    COLOURTONE: Clear, un-tinted CUTEK® oil will allow your wood to naturally lighten/silver/grey when exposed to sunlight while retaining its protection characteristics. Unless you want a clear finish that will naturally lighten/silver/grey off in a few months, it is important to mix in 1 CUTEK® Colourtone to this can of oil before use.

    APPLICATION: Stir the CUTEK® Oil oil thoroughly (with the added CUTEK® Colourtone if desired) before and during use. Make sure you stir from the bottom of the can to ensure active ingredients are properly mixed throughout the oil. Apply thin, even coats with a brush, paint pad or lambswool applicator. CUTEK®’s DeckBoss brush is a good option. TIP: CUTEK® oil works best when applied as a THIN COAT – two or three thin coats on finished wood and hardwoods are much better than one or two thick coats. For best results, ONE coat of CUTEK® oil should be applied to all faces of the wood prior to installing, and apply a SECOND coat once the first coat has completely penetrated/diffused.

    DRYING TIME: Unlike traditional wood coatings, CUTEK® oil needs to penetrate/diffuse deeply into your timber. After coating, CUTEK® oil will slowly migrate into your wood to repel and displace moisture, improve dimensional stability and lengthen the service life of your timber.

    This penetration/diffusion process varies in time for many reasons including differences in timber type (species, density, porosity, age of timber and residual moisture content) as well as environmental factors (temperature, humidity, weather). Sometimes this drying process can take several days to complete. You will know when your timber is ready for a recoat of CUTEK® oil when it is completely dry and non-greasy. Please note the second coat of CUTEK® oil will take longer to migrate into your timber than the first coat.

    CLEAN-UP: Equipment (including brushes) may be cleaned with turps or soap and water. If not correctly cleaned or disposed of, oily rags and other oily materials may cause combustion fires. After use you MUST immediately spread out all oily material outside to dry, by flattening them out to their full size in an airy spot at temperatures above 4 degrees Celsius, or wash them thoroughly with water and detergent and rinse. Remove all oil from all clothes, tools, rags and any other materials contacted during use or as a result of an accidental spill. Ensure wash water is disposed in accordance with local regulations.

    MAINTENANCE: With CUTEK®, maintenance is simple, fast, and cost effective. CUTEK® oil will not crack, peel or split, and your wood can be easily rejuvenated or restored using our Prepare and Protect system – no need to sand or strip. CUTEK® oil should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading water, or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural beauty and colour of the wood. Typically, horizontal exterior wood surfaces exposed to full weather such as pool decks and handrails will require re-coating more frequently (initially after 6 months, then annually), while other surfaces such as vertical rough-sawn cladding will need recoating less often.

  • I have new shingles – I want them to silver with age

    Clear CUTEK® Extreme CD50 will protect your shingles while allowing them to naturally silver with age. Alternatively, you can mix in a “Pumice Grey” CUTEK® Colourtone to silver the shingles from the beginning. DO NOT use CUTEK® oils on roofs that are used to collect drinking water.

  • I want to protect my new wood, but I want it to naturally silver with age.

    For exterior timber, applying CUTEK® Extreme CD50 as a clear oil will protect the wood against moisture while allowing it to naturally lighten/silver to a natural patina over time as long as it is exposed to the sun.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® without sanding between coats?

    CUTEK® Extreme CD50 does not behave like traditional film forming coatings, meaning there is no need to sand between coats, unless there is a need to rectify some defect in the timber substrate.

  • Can I use CUTEK®exterior products on outdoor timber furniture?

    Yes. The CUTEK® system is designed to highlight and protect the natural beauty of all timber applications. Our range of Step 1: Prepare products will clean and enhance the timber for application of our Step 2: Protect (Exterior) products that powerfully protect the timber. Adding a CUTEK® Colourtone will help maintain the natural colour of your timber or alter its appearance.

  • Can I use CUTEK® timber oils on LOSP or CCA treated wood or plywood?

    Yes, CUTEK® is safe to use on these types of wood.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® oils over other coatings, deck stains or oils?

    No, generally speaking you cannot. CUTEK® exterior oils must be applied to bare, clean and dry timber. Some oils, stains, paints and films act as a barrier for CUTEK® diffusion/penetration and must be fully removed first. Chemical stripping, heavy sanding or a combination of both are required to ensure all existing coatings are removed.

    Occasionally it is possible to coat CUTEK® oils directly over previously applied, degraded oil-based stain.  To ascertain if this possible, simply flick some cold water onto the surface of the wood to be coated. If it soaks in, then it is OK to use CUTEK® oils. If it beads up, refer to Removing Existing Coatings under Important Information tab. There are no implied performance warranties for the application of CUTEK® oils over any other coating.

  • Why do I have to wait between coats?

    CUTEK® timber oil must be allowed to diffuse into the wood and fully cure between coats. If it is not fully dried, and another coat is applied the drying time of the second coat may be extended for much longer than it needs to be.

    The speed of the drying process varies according to many different factors such as density, porosity, species, residual moisture content and temperature.  Precoated timbers will always dry faster if stacked outside.

  • I have just applied CUTEK® Extreme CD50 oil and it is taking a long time to dry. Why is this?

    CUTEK® oils work by deeply diffusing into the wood and they won’t dry on the surface until this process has been fully completed. The drying process varies in time according to many different factors such as density, porosity, species, residual moisture content and temperature, humidity, wood species and wood density.

    To help ensure your CUTEK® oil dries as quickly as possible, make sure you avoid:

    • Wet wood, or wood with a high moisture content. Your wood should contain a maximum moisture content of 17%, as anything higher can significantly delay the drying process. If this happens, CUTEK® oils may sit on the surface and eventually go tacky without penetrating properly.
    • Cold weather. In cold weather, CUTEK® oils will become thicker and therefore too much oil is applied. Warm oil by placing in a sunny/warm spot before application to make it thinner and enhance penetration.
    • Too many coats too soon. The first application of CUTEK® oil needs to completely diffuse and dry fully before the next coat is applied.
    • Existing oil, stain or paint on the surface. Existing film coats act as a barrier to a CUTEK® oil’s penetration. Old coatings must be fully removed by sanding and or chemical stripping prior to applying any CUTEK® exterior timber oil.

    For best results, always allow CUTEK® oil to fully diffuse before recoating or use.  if you cannot wait, rag off the excess material on the surface and the coating will dry on top at a much faster rate.

  • What about natural oils? They’re supposed to be good for wood.

    Most natural oils claim to be ‘penetrating oils’ but will actually contain drying oils/resins and evaporating solvents which form a traditional varnish/film type encapsulation coating once the VOC solvents in the formula have evaporated. Once this surface type coating has been degraded by weathering, cutting or fastener perforation, water may freely enter the timber leading to significant cupping and splitting.

    Many ‘natural’ oils may develop unsightly mould and fungal growth on the coated surface and beneath subsequently applied coatings when exposed to the natural exterior environment.  This situation can be difficult and costly to fix.

    Additionally, many natural oil type formulations have very high VOC levels (often >50%).  This means that a cheaper high VOC  natural oil type product may become a more expensive choice when the amount of product that actually remains active in the coated timber is calculated.

  • Can I apply CUTEK® on new timber immediately without weathering?

    Yes. Unlike most coatings, it is not necessary to wait for your timber to ‘weather’ before applying CUTEK® to new wood. In fact, we recommend the first coat goes on as soon as possible to protect the wood during the construction phase.

    The reason why many traditional timber coatings require new wood to be weathered is that tannins and other extractives and/or mill glaze present in unweathered timber may interfere with the adhesion and performance of subsequently applied coatings. This is not a problem with CUTEK® timber oils which may be applied to timber the moment it arrives on site.

  • How long will CUTEK® timber oil last? How often will I have to reapply?

    CUTEK® timber oils should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural or altered colour of the wood. Timing will differ depending on many variables including the age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design, aspect, weathered exposure and adequacy of preparation.

    When considering frequency of maintenance there are two factors to consider:

    1. Protection: CUTEK® Extreme CD50 diffuse deeply into wood to provide, long-term, accumulative, inside out protection. Even when the timber surface has greyed and weathered, CUTEK® timber oils remain permanently mobile in the timber, meaning protection is not compromised even if the outward appearance of the wood has changed. Each additional coat of CUTEK® timber oil provides further additional protection against moisture.
    2. Appearance: To maintain the natural colour of freshly oiled wood for longer or alter the appearance of your timber, a CUTEK® oil with an added CUTEK® Colourtone should be applied. Over time and with exposure to sunlight and UV, the colour will slowly fade to a silver patina. Colour durability and the rate at which this fading occurs is dependent on many factors such as age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design, aspect, and degree of exposure to the weather. CUTEK® timber oil should be reapplied as frequently as necessary to maintain desired colour vibrancy.
  • Can CUTEK® timber oils be used around swimming pools?

    Yes, CUTEK® Extreme CD50 are suitable for use around swimming pools. Indeed, the inside out moisture protection imparted by CUTEK® exterior oils is desirable in wood that comes in contact with water. We recommend the use of clear rather than colourtoned CUTEK® oils on timber that is subjected to a constant washing action from swimming pool activities because of the rapid rate of colour erosion that occurs with frequent water contact.  This way the necessity for frequent recoating for colour retention is avoided while the timber remains protected from constant damaging water ingress.  Please be aware that powerful pool chemicals that are allowed to contact CUTEK® coated wood in a concentrated form may stain coated timbers. CUTEK® exterior oils are not suitable for use on timber that is permanently immersed in water.

  • Does CUTEK® reduce long term splitting, cupping and warping of timber?

    Yes. CUTEK® timber oils diffuse deep into the wood to actively displace and protect against moisture from the inside out. It is important to understand that it is the free exchange of liquid and gas phase moisture between wood and the environment that contributes to splitting, warping and cupping. Once diffused, CUTEK® timber oils will stabilise the timber by controlling free moisture exchange between the coated timber and the environment.  Because CUTEK® is self-healing, this protection is permanent even if timber is damaged cut or perforated with fasteners. The result is improved dimensional stability, structural integrity and an extended service life.

  • Do CUTEK® timber oils ever peel or flake?

    No. CUTEK® timber oils (CUTEK® Extreme CD50) will not peel or flake, although over time CUTEK® coated wood will fade where it is exposed to the sun. If this occurs, the timber will require a maintenance coat of Colourtoned CUTEK® oil to maintain your colour choice. The rate of fading will vary depending on species, situation, design, degree of weather exposure and other environmental factors.

  • I applied a CUTEK® oil to my timber but it now has black spots?

    When successfully applied, it is highly unlikely that CUTEK® timber oils will cause black spots to appear on timber. Commonly, there are two issues that could result in the appearance of black spots:

    1. The presence of iron stain:

    Iron stain, is an unsightly blue–black or grey discoloration that is often incorrectly described as “mould” because of its frequently “spotty” appearance. While iron stain can occur on nearly all timber species, some timbers are particularly prone to iron stain because they contain large amounts of tannin-like extractives that readily react with iron present in the environment to form insoluble stains.

    The discolouration is often caused by a chemical reaction between extractives and iron content in steel products, such as nails, screws, and other fasteners. Iron contamination can also come from traces of iron left on wood from cutting, grinding or slicing; cleaning the surface with steel wool, wire brushes, or iron tools; using finishes stored in rusty containers; and using previous iron-containing or iron-contaminated finishes. Iron dust from metalworking and even plant fertilizers can be sources of iron along with removal of old rusted guttering, handrail construction and contact by steel capped boots.

    2. Moisture content was too high when CUTEK® oil was applied:

    Timber must be completely dry and non-greasy before applying CUTEK®; specifically the moisture content of the timber must be less than 17%. If CUTEK® is applied to timber with a moisture content greater than 17%, CUTEK® may sit on the surface and may rarely present with a dark blotchy discolouration (especially with colourtoned CUTEK®).

    Rectifying both of these issues is a simple process. After the CUTEK® oil has been allowed to dry completely, wet the timber and apply undiluted CUTEK® Restore to the timber with a brush, roller or broom where discolouration exists. When the black spots/discolouration has disappeared, use a pressure washer to remove CUTEK® Restore (refer to the CUTEK® Restore label or Factsheet for further information). When the timber has dried (moisture content less than 17%), reapply your CUTEK® timber oil.