To showcase the incredibly restoring power of CUTEK® Restore, we decided to apply it to a drab, weathered timber reclining chair. Note, this chair had not previously been coated with a CUTEK® protective wood oil. The chair was severely discoloured and moss and fungi had begun to take hold. We decided to apply CUTEK® Restore to only one side of the chair, allowing the restoring agent to clean and brighten the timber for 15 minutes before water blasting to clean.

The results speak for themselves:

Notice how the CUTEK® Restore easily removes the remnants of the fungi and moss from the surface of the timber. Not only is the timber cleaned, but it is restored. The natural beauty of the grain and the rich colour of the wood returns to its original appearance.

Next up: protect the timber with a clear coat of CUTEK® Wood Preservative to resist the damage of moisture, fungal decay, mould and termites. A simple, fast, cost effective process to ensure this chair has many more summers in service.

Do you have some outdoor timber furniture that needs a facelift? Be sure to drop into your local CUTEK® stockist to grab CUTEK® Restore and bring your old timber furniture back to life.

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With any type of hospitality, frequent use spills and accidents are inevitable and can stain or damage your deck or timber furniture. Now is a great time to learn how to clean decking and furniture in preparation for the entertaining season ahead.

1. Removing stains caused by food or drink spills

Food or drink spills can cause discolouration and stains that are hard to remove.

CUTEK® Quickclean is an industrial grade general purpose cleaner. It cuts through grease and stains and will generally be tough enough to clean up food and drink spills on tables, chairs or decking boards.

Apply the product liberally and leave it on the surface for 10 to 20 minutes. If the stain is stubborn it may be necessary to scrub it with a stiff fibre brush. If it still refuses to budge, try CUTEK® Restore  for a deeper cleanse.

When all traces of the stain are removed, the wood is ready for coating with CUTEK® Extreme CD50.

2. Restoring timber with black or grey discolouration

Greyness can be caused by significant weathering if a deck is particularly exposed. Metal objects left sitting on the deck for a prolonged period, such as nails or metal furniture can also cause grey or black stains.

An application of CUTEK® Restore will keep working for 24 hours to restore oxidized, grey timber while enhancing the grain.

After cleaning, the deck or furniture can be treated with CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to protect it from further moisture damage.

Adding a CUTEK® Colourtone  will enhance and maintain the freshly oiled natural look of your timber.

3. Removing and treating mould or fungus stains

Decks that are shaded are pre-disposed to issues with mould or fungus.  The problem often covers a large surface area.

Sweep the deck thoroughly with a stiff fibre brush, taking care to work into the corners where mould and fungus often build up.

CUTEK® Restore is a professional grade deck cleaning product that will eradicate traces of mould and fungus. It keeps working for up to 24 hours. Be sure to complete a patch test first to determine how long to leave it on.

Although CUTEK® Restore is not considered a strong defoliant, take care to protect adjacent vegetation before you begin.

Using the right products is an essential component for cleaning up and treating timber stains or damaged wood. All traces of the issues can be removed from decking and furniture resulting in a fresh, as-new look to your outdoor entertaining space.

The post How to Clean Timber Deck Stains appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

The following steps break down the process of salvaging the wood and address some of the issues that might present themselves.

1. Remove nails and metal objects

Reclaimed wood often contains old nails, hooks and other metal objects. These can be hazardous to work with, especially if power tools are going to be used on the wood.

All nails or tacks need removing to ensure a smooth finish and practical use.

2. How to strip paint or remove unwanted varnish

Much reclaimed wood will have been coated with varnish or paint in its past life. CUTEK® Wood Stripper will remove all traces of unwanted paint or varnish from the timber prior to cleaning.

If the coating is particularly thick, the wood may need sanding down before CUTEK® Wood Stripper is applied.

3. Clean and dry the timber

A thorough wash with CUTEK® Restore will provide a deep cleanse to ensure removal of all dirt and dust that has accumulated over time. If the wood has been exposed to excessive moisture, any traces of mould and mildew will also be removed.

After cleaning, ensure that the wood is given enough time to dry thoroughly on suitable racks or drying frames.

Avoid letting the boards bake for too long in harsh heat because the sun can cause them to eventually bow or curl.

4. Address imperfections

Reclaimed wood often comes with minor staining and imperfections, this can add to the charm of the salvaged timber. Any unwanted marks can be sanded or oiled as part of the finishing process.

5. Finish the timber

To protect the salvaged wood and achieve a desired look, it can be finished with a deck stain and sealer. Choose a finishing oil and Colourtone to suit your other décor.

CUTEK® Extreme CD50 is a high performing wood stabiliser that offers protection from the elements and resists water from the inside out.

Using salvaged wood in home improvement projects is not without its challenges. However, it can be an extremely satisfying environmental choice that results in the creation of unique statement floors.

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1. Get the look

Assess the state of your outdoor furniture and decide upon the finished look you want to achieve before you start.

2. Sand or strip furniture

Brush the furniture down to remove surface dirt or cobwebs. If the timber has been left in its natural state, you’ll just need to sand it down.

Furniture that has been painted or coated in a film forming product such as stain, varnish, linseed oil or acrylics may need stripping. CUTEK® Wood Stripper is a mild and effective stripper that can remove multiple layers with one application.

3. Prepare for oiling

Prepare the timber for oiling using one of CUTEK®’s timber care cleaning solutions. Depending on the state of disrepair, your restoration work can commence with CUTEK® Quickclean or CUTEK® Restore, for a deeper clean and removal of stubborn stains or oxidization.

4. Apply oil and Colourtone

CUTEK®’s choice of timber oils work to control moisture from the inside out and minimise warping, cupping and splitting. This means that your furniture will keep its good looks when outdoors exposed to the elements for longer.

The unique wood protection system can be applied to furniture as a clear oil which fades in the sun to a natural silver patina.

With CUTEK®’s 16 colourtones to choose from, your furniture setting can also be restored to fit its surroundings or matched to other pieces. Choosing a new Colourtone can significantly change the look of a setting.

5. Accessorise

Once your timber furniture restoration work is complete, have some fun with styling. Adding accessories such as cushions and table décor will have your outdoor setting looking showroom sleek and good as new.

Wooden furniture repair is a viable and satisfying alternative to purchasing new furniture. Do a thorough job utilising high quality wood repair products, and your enduring wood revival will be enjoyed by friends and family for seasons to come.

The post Restoring an ageing wooden outdoor furniture set appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

If your deck is in disrepair, follow these simple steps to restoring it to be enjoyed for years to come. For best results, choose a warm, dry spell to undergo your timber restoration.

1. Assess the deck

First, check that the deck is structurally sound. Look out for loose, damaged, split, warped or rotten boards and make a list of what needs replacing before heading to your local hardware.

Top tip: Be sure to include balustrades and steps in your pre-timber repair assessment.

2. Replace damaged boards

When replacing boards, it is important to use the same wood profile. Directly replacing old decking boards with the odd new one can look unsightly, so it might make sense to move the boards around. Replacing visible boards with existing boards on the outside of the deck and laying new boards at the edge can make a difference to the finished effect.

Top tip: Remember to use decking-specific nails to avoid timber splitting in wood repair.

3. Clean the decking

Give the deck a good once over with a broom then follow up with a clean.

To remove grease and grime use powerful outdoor cleaner CUTEK® Quickclean.  A deep clean may also be necessary in preparation for oiling. CUTEK® Restore is a professional grade wood restoration product that will remove stubborn stains and address oxidization to restore wood to look like new.

Top tip: Visit cutek.com.au to identify the right cleaning solution for your project using the Project Planner.

4. Strip the decking

It may also be necessary to sand or strip the deck to remove all existing wood coatings to allow the deep penetration of CUTEK® to ensure that the wood is prepared right back to the raw material.

CUTEK® Wood Stripper is a safe, mild and effective coating and paint stripper. It is suitable for removing multiple layers of wood coatings such as latex paints, stains, varnishes, linseed oils, acrylics and other film forming coatings.

It’s the smart alternative to conventional strippers that use dangerous chemicals.

5. Apply deck oil

High quality oil will ensure that your deck is fully restored to its former glory. What’s is best is the CUTEK® oil will also protect the deck from the inside and out. Your tired deck may need up to 3 coats to achieve the desired look.

You may consider adding a Colourtone to clear oil. There are 16 different tones available from CUTEK®, each has been specifically developed to closely match popular wood species. Adding a Colourtone is highly recommended for decks that were in bad disrepair with several boards replaced.

Top tip: Where possible, each coat is best applied at the same time to allow it to dry evenly.

How long it takes for timber deck restoration depends on its initial state. Once you’ve assessed the work involved and sourced your materials it could be possible to get the majority of your makeover finished in a day. However, you may find you need to apply second or third coats of deck oil on subsequent days.

Talk to us about how CUTEK®’s range of cleaning products and protective oils can help you to revive your tired deck in time for Summer.

The post Five Steps to Reviving a Tired Timber Deck appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

Why wood warps:

Warping occurs when the moisture content in wood changes unevenly. In damp or rainy conditions, moisture is absorbed into the wood causing swelling. When timber dries, it shrinks. With every wet and dry cycle this process is repeated. When one part of a timber board dries and consequently shrinks faster than another area, the wood is stressed and warping occurs. Weather exposure and poor ventilation contribute to warping.

How to prevent warping:

Firstly, it is important to choose the right timber species for your project. Different timbers have different properties and densities, which effect colour, texture, grain and durability. If longevity is required and the timber exposed, it is best to choose a durable hardwood.

Second, ensure the timber is well ventilated. Timber structures that are close to the ground with poor ventilation are more susceptible to warping.

Third, protect the wood with a timber coating. A penetrating oil like CUTEK® protects wood from the inside out. It works by penetrating deeply into the timber to repel moisture. It also helps to stabilise wood, preventing cupping, splitting and warping.

What to do if your wood is already warped:

If minor warping has occurred, it is possible to extend the service life of your timber. Sanding is required to remove protruding edges and flatten the timber surface. After this, it is essential the timber is protected. CUTEK® is a recommend choice for enhancing the dimensional stability of timber and providing long-term protection against warping. Diffusing deeply, CUTEK® oil remains active inside the wood to repel moisture. When traditional wood care products, that form a film around the timber, breakdown (crack or peel), moisture is able to absorb into the timber and wood once again is subject to warping. Being a penetrating oil, rather than a film-forming product, CUTEK® does not crack or peel, making it the professional’s choice for timber protection.

Unfortunately, if timber is severely warped, full replacement is required. Be sure to choose the right timber species and apply a CUTEK® timber oil to ensure warping does not wreak havoc again.

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