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.