Why does timber grey / weather?

First, we should understand what causes timber to weather. When wood is exposed to sunshine, rain, and dew, dark colours tend to fade due to leaching and bleaching, while light colours darken due to oxidation. However, with time, all timber surfaces exposed to rain turn grey. This colour shift only affects the top layers, which primarily consist of cellulose. Long-term exposure to the elements degrades the lignin that holds the wood cells together, and it is washed away along with sugars, starches, and extractives. In conditions that are favourable to fungal species, the resulting grey colouring may be dirty and blotchy.

How do I fix greyed timber?

The science tells us this silvering is merely surface deep, therefore a powerful cleaner will help separate the discolouration from the timber, meaning costly replacement is not necessary. For this job we recommend you use CUTEK^® Restore, which will take all the hard work out of this process. CUTEK^® Restore is designed to be applied undiluted but can be used diluted with water if required. The Technical Data Sheet (TDS) contains more details about spreading rate, dwell times, safety precautions, and more. We recommend you test CUTEK^® Restore on a small test patch to find the best working time for your project. Once applied to the timber, CUTEK^® Restore will do the heavy lifting. After it has been allowed to work for a suitable amount of time, remove it using a high-pressure washer with a fan nozzle (a garden hose is not suitable).

Case Study – Pine Fence

Ben and Tracey bought their first home a few years ago and, like many homeowners, have been working to improve their home over time. Their house came with a standard weathered pine fence. The fence was ten years old, fully exposed to the elements, and had never been cleaned or protected. They had assumed that nothing could be done for their fence and had planned to knock it down and replace it. Instead, they tried CUTEK^® Restore. For their project, they chose to work with a dilution of three-parts water to one-part CUTEK^® Restore. This was allowed to sit and work on the timber for a full 24 hours prior to being pressure-washed off. They were astonished by the results.

How do I protect timber from weathering?

Ben and Tracey didn’t stop at restoring their fence. They knew that without properly protecting their timber, their efforts would eventually be undone by the elements. When their fence was dry, they coated it with CUTEK^® Extreme CD50. They selected double-strength Merbau as their CUTEK® Colourtone, which transformed the soft blonde of the pine into a beautiful deep brown. CUTEK® Extreme CD50 penetrates the timber to protect it from the inside out. Where other coatings envelope the wood, CUTEK® Extreme CD50 deeply diffuses into the timber, minimising moisture absorption and protecting your deck long term. With the added CUTEK® Colourtone, Ben and Tracey have the added element of protecting their timber from harsh UV rays and sun damage.

How can we help with your project?

If you would like to know more about how CUTEK^® products could help your project, you can reach us on 1300 1 CUTEK, or by using our customer enquiry form.

The post How to Restore Greyed and Weathered Timber appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

Introducing CUTEK® Wood Preservative for the pre-treatment and remedial treatment of exterior wood in industrial and domestic environments.

When used, the coated wood resists damage caused by fungal decay, mould and termites, and is protected from moisture, improving dimensional stability and minimising warping, cupping and splitting.

Use CUTEK® Wood Preservative on its own as a clear oil that will fade in the sun to natural silver patina, or mix it with any of our 16 colourtones to enhance and retain the freshly oiled look of your timber.

CUTEK® Wood Preservative will gradually fade over time rather than peel, split or crack, so the rejuvenation of timber coated with CUTEK® Wood Preservative is a simple, fast, and cost effective process.

CUTEK® Wood Preservative is able to be used on natural, and engineered and modified timber – some applications include boardwalks, fencing, pergolas, decks, railings, weatherboards, log homes, joinery, shingles and large council/government projects. It is not suitable for use on acetylated wood.

It’s designed to be used only on above-ground,wood structures or components of.

Download the fact sheet or ask us for advice on how to use CUTEK® Wood Preservative as effective timber protection.

The post Introducing: CUTEK® Wood Preservative appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

In his article, Di Stefano warns that the risk of not applying a protective coating to decking boards is that they are exposed and unprepared when wet weather or summer sun hits.

CUTEK®’s products are recommended by Di Stefano and industry experts based on their timber protection properties and the valuable part that they play in avoiding decking issues.

“I have long been promoting the benefits of oil-based coatings like CUTEK®, that deeply diffuse into timber decking.”

Frank Di Stefano, Bowens Builders Bulletin

The feature points out that CUTEK®’s high quality timber oil is soaked in by the wood. After absorption, it works from the inside out to help control moisture entry and minimise common issues such as timber cupping, warping and splitting.

Summary of Di Stefano’s tips for using CUTEK®:

• Use early protection during the construction stage.
• Best practice includes coating the underside of decking.
• Reseal all cut end grains.
• Appropriate use can help to provide UV protection.

Professional timber protection products significantly prolong the life of outdoor decking when utilised correctly.

Contact us to discuss any of the points raised by Frank Di Stefano in Bowens Builders and to find out how our products can be used to protect your decking.

The post Timber Specialist Frank Di Stefano recommends CUTEK® Oils appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

Follow these 3 insider tips for installing long-lasting timber.

1. Use professional wood cleaning products

Surface preparation is essential to enable oils to diffuse deeply into the timber and achieve long-lasting results. Anything that is likely to prevent penetration must be removed with a professional grade wood restoration product.

New and pre-treated wood may be ready for oil without preparation. However, timber that is pre-treated with other oils or is significantly weathered will require thorough cleaning first with CUTEK® Restore, the natural wood cleaner

If stripping is required to remove any previous film or coating, CUTEK® Wood Stripper will do the job. This process can be followed by a treatment with CUTEK® Restore.

Seal and protect the timber

Using CUTEK® Wood Preservative wood treatment oil will give strong resistance to damage caused by moisture, fungal decay, mould and termites.

CUTEK®’s Extreme CD50 oil gives long-term protection from the effects of moisture, minimises warping, cupping and splitting, ensuring that exterior wood (even in extreme climates) lasts longer. The high protection wood oil works to control moisture from the inside out.

Use a colourtone

CUTEK® oils enhance the colour of the timber. Mixing a colourtone into CUTEK® oils before use will ensure the wood finish will lighten or silver off less over time.

CUTEK®’s 16 colourtones are wood stains that have been specifically developed to closely match popular wood species. Selecting a Colourtone close to the natural shade of the timber species will give the most enduring result.

Follow these professional steps to ensure that timber installations are protected from the inside out to endure the elements and stand the test of time.

Call us to discuss how CUTEK®’s range of high quality products can help you to ensure that your timber looks great and is long lasting.

The post Timber that stands the test of time appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

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.

For many projects, nothing beats timber for adding real warmth, big architectural possibilities and eco-friendly charm. The challenge lies in retaining the ‘new’ look for longer, without masking its coveted natural aesthetic.

CUTEK® oils and Colourtones provide choice: let your timber fade naturally – or delay the process, retaining its colour for longer. Either way, CUTEK® products inject exceptional, professional-grade wood protection that lasts.

All CUTEK® oils are sold clear, which allows the wood to age gracefully into a beautiful silver patina. Alternatively, CUTEK® Colourtones delay the process – allowing the knots and markings of timber to show, with a rich colour that has been specially formulated to match a variety of natural shades.

From Burnt Red to Grey Mist, our 16 colourtones allow you to maintain close to the original shade of your chosen wood, or build colour to completely change the tone for a unique style.

For horizontal walk-on surfaces such as decking, we recommend using a colourtone that is the closet match to the wood. For cladding and screening, a much higher build of colour can be achieved to transform the wood’s original tone.

Formulated exclusively for use with CUTEK®-branded oil wood coating products, CUTEK® Colourtones open up a new level of choice when it comes to protecting and enhancing your timber.

See our CUTEK® Colourtones and request a free sample today.

The post Colourful Character: Clever Wood Stain Colours 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.

The post How to prevent wood from warping appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

Traditional wood coatings protect the timber by encapsulation – forming a film over the substrate. The build-up of pigment on the surface obscures the natural grain, variance and beauty of the timber. Initial application can look great with a gloss finish, but once it is subject to water, sunlight and abrasion the coating degrades; resulting in splitting and peeling. Moisture is then able to ingress into the timber and begin the swelling and shrinking process that damages wood.  Screw holes, uncoated ends, joints and the uncoated undersides of timber are also points of water ingress that leads to degradation. With encapsulation coatings, protection is only skin deep.

CUTEK®, on the other hand, penetrates deeply into the timber and, because of its hydrophobic nature, it repels water from the inside. This keeps the timber dimensionally stable, increasing the service life of the timber. This protection stays within the timber no matter the appearance of the surface of the wood.

To complement the protection of the timber, the CUTEK® lab has created a range of CUTEK® Colourtones, to prolong the freshly oiled look and enhance the natural beauty of the timber. This range of colours have been formulated to match many different timber species and design requirements. The pigment in CUTEK® Colourtones help delay the silvering process caused by Ultra Violet (UV) light. UV from the sun causes the lignin to photo-oxidise, creating the silvering effect. The added CUTEK® Colourtone stays on the surface of the wood absorbing UV light to delay silvering, while the CUTEK® oil penetrates into the wood, protecting it from the inside out.

In time, exposed CUTEK® Colourtones will gradually chalk off rather than splitting or peeling. This facilitates easy maintenance; a pressure clean with CUTEK® Restore or CUTEK® Quickclean and a recoat is all that is required. Rather than sanding and countersinking screw holes, punching nails, or stripping for a recoat. Maintenance with CUTEK® products is simple and rewarding. To further increase the life of the Colourtoned CUTEK®, double Colourtones can be used (e.g., 2 Colourtones per 5 litres of CUTEK® oil). This will give a more intense colour and greater UV protection.

To make sure you get the right look on your deck, make use of CUTEK®‘s free samples. This helps you get the right match for your timber. The CUTEK® support team are also on hand to talk you through any questions you may have and how different colourtones interact with different timber species (call 1300 1 CUTEK).

The post Understanding Colourtones appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.