Frequently Asked Questions
What Options Do I Have For Protecting My Timber?
You can use Paints, Stains, Natural Oils, or Cutek® Wood Preservative
How Do Most Paints, Stains & Natural Oils Work?
Most paints and stains form a film or coating on the surface of the timber designed to "encapsulate" the timber and control the free movement of moisture into and out of the wood. Some claim to be resistant to UV wavelength light that is a component of sunlight.
What Can Go Wrong?
Using a film forming coating to "encapsulate" the surface of timber will only work until the film breaks down. Water can then get behind the film and generate a hydrostatic pressure with the natural heating and cooling of the environment. Eventually the film forming product starts to flake or peel off, and the subsequent free movement of liquid and gas phase moisture in and out of the timber can lead to warping and cupping. Most film forming products rely on UV inhibitors and UV resistant pigments in the film to delay this process of degradation, with the result that many of these products hide the natural colour of the wood and beauty of the grain - especially when frequent recoating is required to maintain the integrity of the UV degraded film.
What About Oil? Its Got To Be Good For Timber.
"Natural" oils have been used for years to protect timber. Nearly all work by cross-linking close to the surface of the wood to provide a barrier, which is similar in its effect to conventional film-forming products. Some natural oils provide nutrients that actually support the growth of unsightly wood discolouring fungi, mould and bacteria.
How Is Cutek Different?
Click here for the full story.
Will Cutek Peel Off?
Cutek® Wood Preservative will not crack, peel or flake. However Cutek® Wood Preservative will fade gracefully over time at a rate determined by species, situation and aspect.
My Timber Is Dirty And Silvered With Age. Can I Get It Back To The Original Colour?
Absolutely. Click here for more details.
Why Is It Best To Remove All Film Forming Coatings Before Using Cutek?
Unlike other coatings, Cutek® Wood Preservative is a deeply penetrating wood presevative, that works inside the timber to maintain dimensional stability and integrity in addition to just enhancing the beauty of wood at the surface. If this deep penetration is prevented by a pre-existing film then Cutek® Wood Preservative can only do half the job for which it was designed.
I Don't Know If I Can Put Cutek Over My Previously Coated Wood. How Can I Tell?
Simply flick some cold water onto the surface of the timbers to be coated. If it soaks in, then it is OK to use Cutek® Wood Preservative. If it beads then contact Chemisys for more information.
My House Has A Peeling Or Degraded Surface Paint Or Stain. Can I Remove It?
Absolutely. Click here for more details.
Can I Use Cutek On LOSP Or CCA Treated Timber Or Plywood?
Yes
Can I Use Cutek On Decks And Outdoor Furniture?
Yes
Can I Use Cutek Inside?
Yes - Cutek® Wood Preservative is suitable for interior use. Generally only one coat of clear is required. Cutek® Wood Preservative imparts a "matt-lowsheen" finish to smooth timbers, so in areas that are subject to high traffic or abrasion such as flooring, conventional polyurethane technology may provide a more satisfactory result.
I Want To Protect My New Timber, But I Want It To Naturally Silver With Age.
Coating the new timbers with clear Cutek® Wood Preservative will protect the wood while allowing it to silver naturally with age.
I Want My Wood To Silver But I Do Not Want The Patchy Half Silvered, Half New Look
Using Cutek® Wood Preservative with either "Silvertone" or "Smokey Grey" colourtone will impart an even natural silvered look from the start
I Have New Shingles - I Want Them To Silver With Age
Use Cutek® Wood Preservative on new shingles to protect from feathering, splitting, and surface discoloration. Clear Cutek Wood Preservative will protect your shingles while allowing them to naturally silver with age. Alternatively, you can use Cutek® Wood Preservative with "Silvertone" or "Smokey Grey" colourtone to silver the shingles from the beginning.
Why Do I Have To Wait Between Coats?
Unlike most timber coatings and stains, Cutek® Wood Preservative migrates very deeply into the wood before going dry at the surface, and this process takes varying amounts of time according to many different factors such as density, porosity, species, residual moisture content and temperature. Corespondingly, Cutek® Wood Preservative does not dry fast like most paints and has a cumulative effect in the timber. Recoating before the migration process of previous coats is finished is a waste of money and time.