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® product is best for you? Explore our resources here or contact us. We’re here to help make using CUTEK® easy.
At CUTEK®, we are dedicated to producing high-quality products that deliver exceptional performance while prioritizing safety when used as directed. As with any chemical product, it is important to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes, and to prevent ingestion and inhalation.
Some CUTEK® oil formulations contain a minimal amount of active ingredients designed to protect wood from biological degradation. These biocides are safe when applied to wood in built environments and present no/minimal hazard in normal use. However, burning CUTEK® oil-coated wood can release a small amount of toxic smoke. While this risk is minimal, we advise against burning CUTEK®-coated wood to avoid potential inhalation injuries that could occur from the fumes.
CUTEK® Extreme can be stored for one year or more and reused for the next coating season, when stored correctly. To store correctly, store in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight; lid must be airtight. If the lid has been damaged, the remaining contents may be tipped into another compatible container (HDPE or Lined metal containers). Minimizing the air space in the can will also increase the storage life of the product.
If the oil has been tinted with a CUTEK® Colortone, the color may settle out and be difficult to stir in again if some time has passed. Use caution when mixing new and old CUTEK® Extreme that have been colored with a CUTEK® Colortone; there may be some discrepancies in color due to storage.
After use, CUTEK® Colortones generally do not require storing because they are a one-use product. If the Colortone tube contents have solidified, do not use the Colortone. Instead, dispose of the tube and contents according to local regulations.
CUTEK® Wood Reviver, CUTEK® Quickclean and CUTEK® Wood Stripper can be stored for many years after initial use. To store correctly, store in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight; lid must be airtight. Keep from freezing.
Acetylated wood can be finished with CUTEK®, but due to the unique nature of the acetylation process, results may vary. The treatment process can leave residual acid within the wood, which may affect how our coating interacts with the wood.
Because of this, we can’t guarantee specific results. To ensure the best outcome, we strongly recommend testing the product on a small, inconspicuous area before starting your project.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help!
CUTEK® EXTREME – TRUE PENETRATING OIL WITH A SELF-HEALING EFFECT
CUTEK® Extreme offers powerful protection while enhancing the natural beauty of wood. CUTEK® Extreme diffuses deeply into wood to repel moisture, maintain structural integrity and ensure the longest possible service life.
What sets CUTEK® Extreme apart is its ‘self-healing’ action. Once diffused, CUTEK® Extreme protects 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 wood, 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 wood protection.
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 wood movement break down this film causing it to degrade, flake or peel. This allows water to get into the wood which will lead to cupping, warping, splitting and rotting. Fixing this is costly and time consuming as the old coating will need to be stripped away before reapplying.
CUTEK® is different. CUTEK® Extreme penetrates deep into the wood core and drives moisture out of the wood from the inside. This offers superior long-term protection and minimizes cupping, warping and splitting. This penetrating oil technology ensures the longest possible service life for your wood. It has been proven to work and has been independently tested by industry experts in many countries over the last 30 years.
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.
To maximize your wood’s unique features, we have developed a simple 2 step system.
Each product in the CUTEK® system has been designed to be easy to use and reduce the manual labor required for wood protection.
Maintenance is quick, simple and cost-effective. CUTEK® Extreme does not flake or peel meaning that you generally do not have to sand or strip again.
Yes. CUTEK® Extreme diffuses 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® Extreme will stabilize the wood by controlling the free moisture exchange between the coated wood and the environment. Because CUTEK® Extreme is permanently mobile and self-healing, this protection is permanent even if the wood is damaged, cut or perforated with fasteners. The result is improved dimensional stability, structural integrity and an extended service life.
No. CUTEK® Extreme will not peel or flake, although over time CUTEK® Extreme coated wood will fade where it is exposed to the sun, and the Colortone can wear or erode over time with use. If this occurs, the wood will require a maintenance coat of colortoned CUTEK® Extreme to maintain your color choice. The rate of fading, or wearing/eroding will vary depending on species, situation, design, degree of weather exposure and other environmental factors.
CUTEK® Extreme should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural or altered color 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:
Yes. CUTEK® Extreme diffuses deeply into wood, protecting it from the inside out. CUTEK® Extreme stays permanently mobile inside the wood to repel and displace moisture. With each additional coat of CUTEK® Extreme, this protection increases. This means that if you continue to maintain your wood with CUTEK® Extreme, the better protected against water that wood will be.
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 this surface type coating has been degraded by weathering, cutting or fastener perforation, water may freely enter the wood leading to significant cupping and splitting.
No, generally speaking you cannot. CUTEK® Extreme must be applied to bare, clean and dry wood. Some oils, stains, paints and films act as a barrier for CUTEK® Extreme’s diffusion/penetration and must be fully removed first. For full instructions on how to Prepare your wood properly for coating with CUTEK® Extreme, follow this link to our Prepare page.
While CUTEK® products are manufactured to the highest standard, we are unable to offer any specific performance warranties related to protection and/or color 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:
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® has Pre-Mixed Samples available to help you determine if CUTEK® Extreme is suitable for your project. We ALWAYS recommend testing our products prior to full application.
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.
For exterior wood, applying CUTEK® Extreme 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.
Yes. CUTEK® oils are safe and effective for timber playgrounds and play equipment.
As a penetrative oil, once the CUTEK® has fully penetrated into the wood, it is unlikely to leave residue when touched or brushed against.
Clear CUTEK® Extreme will protect your shingles while allowing them to naturally silver with age. Alternatively, you can mix in a “Smokey Gray or Gray Mist” CUTEK® Colortone to silver the shingles from the beginning. DO NOT use CUTEK® Extreme on roofs that are used to collect drinking water.
Yes. The CUTEK® system is designed to highlight and protect the natural beauty of all wood applications. Our range of Step 1: Prepare products will clean and enhance the wooden furniture, to get it ready for an application of our Step 2: Protect product (CUTEK® Extreme) which will powerfully protect the wood. Adding a CUTEK® Colortone will help maintain the natural color of your wood or alter its appearance, depending on your desired outcome.
Yes. CUTEK® Extreme can be applied to all exterior wood features. A benefit of using CUTEK® Extreme on cladding, soffits, paneling, battens and screens is the ease of maintenance. No need to sand or strip your wood- simply clean and recoat.
Yes, CUTEK® Extreme is suitable for use around swimming pools. The inside-out moisture protection imparted by CUTEK® Extreme is desirable in wood that comes in contact with water. We recommend the use of clear rather than colortoned CUTEK® Extreme on wood that is subjected to a constant washing action from swimming pool activities because of the rapid rate of color erosion that occurs with frequent water contact. This way the necessity for frequent recoating for color retention is avoided while the wood remains protected from constant damaging water ingress. Please be aware that powerful pool chemicals that are allowed to contact CUTEK® Extreme coated wood in a concentrated form may stain coated wood. CUTEK® Extreme is not suitable for use on wood that is permanently immersed in water.
No, CUTEK® Extreme should not be used for interior wood applications.
Yes. Wood freshly coated with CUTEK® Extreme or CUTEK® Machine Coat can be installed straight away or block stacked wet for later use. It is generally not recommended to wet stack wood coated with a Colortoned CUTEK® Extreme as this may produce an inconsistent ‘smudged’ finish.
Yes, CUTEK® Extreme is safe to use on these types of wood.
Time is of the essence. For best results, clean up the excess oil with rags and then work the stain with a CUTEK® Quickclean and water mixture 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 spirits or turpentine, if possible, and work the stain with this mixture.