- 1-833-692-8835
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.
It’s important to understand that CUTEK® is a unique penetrating oil system designed to enhance the natural color and grain of wood. CUTEK® Extreme is sold as a clear oil which can be used to protect the wood from moisture and moisture related movement such as cupping, warping and splitting. Using just the clear oil will protect the wood, providing stability and structural integrity while allowing it to naturally lighten to produce a silver weathered patina over time. The soft natural lightening and silvering of the wood represents a low care option and is becoming an increasingly popular way to leave wood in weather exposed settings.
Wood projects using clear CUTEK® Extreme that have silvered can easily be returned to the wood’s original color using CUTEK® Wood Reviver and high pressure washing, followed by further applications of CUTEK® Extreme clear oil.
However, if you want to maintain the original color of the ‘freshly oiled’ wood then you need to purchase a Colortone to add to clear CUTEK® Extreme. It is important that the Colortone that you choose is suited to your selected wood as it should further enhance the natural color and grain and help to maintain its “natural” color over a longer period of time.
Please note: CUTEK® is unable to offer any specific performance warranties in relation to color retention for CUTEK® products because of many variables related to the weathering process including but not limited to: the age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design and structure, aspect, differing exposure to the weather, method of application and adequacy of preparation.
Most wood care products on the market leave a buildup of material on the surface of the wood. In the short term this provides more color, but in the long term the finish can be prone to peeling and flaking, which requires time and money to repair.
The CUTEK® system is unique because the color is designed to fade, wear or erode slowly over time and with use, rather than peel or flake. New smooth wood that’s exposed fully to the weather will lighten faster as the wood acclimatizes after installation than older, rougher wood over the same time period. A follow up application of CUTEK® Colortoned oil after the initial weathering period will provide much greater color intensity and durability as the wood becomes rougher and more absorbent of pigment over time.
New wood is milled smooth and often has a mill glaze which will greatly restrict the initial color adhesion of any pigment. Better results can be achieved by creating a rougher surface and preparing the wood using CUTEK® Wood Reviver in combination with a high-pressure washer. Sanding the new wood with 80 grit paper will give even better results as it removes mill glaze and creates a much rougher surface which will enable greater color intensity.
Note: The rougher the surface of the wood, the greater the color intensity and durability. Rough sawn or heavy brushed wood profiles will take more oil and color so much bolder color contrast can be achieved. The amount of mill glaze, if any, that is present on any job can vary significantly depending on species density, and the machining method used.
Note: Sanded surfaces should be vacuumed or washed thoroughly to remove all loose wood and dust.
Our CUTEK® Colortone system is designed to enhance the wood color and grain you select. With this in mind, you need to think about your original wood choice and the color it most represents. Is it Light to Golden, Brown, Red or a combination? Here are a few common examples to help you understand:
For a good idea of what a Colortone will look like on your wood type, use our Colortone Visualizer.
For horizontal walk on surfaces such as decking, we recommend you select a CUTEK® Colortone that is the closest match to the wood you have selected, rather than attempt to change the color. You can talk to any of our retailers for advice.
For cladding and screening, a much higher intensity of color can be achieved which can completely change the original tone of the wood. Even very light wood colored species can become an almost solid Black, Gray, Red, Brown or Gold if the wood surface is suitably rough, and more coats or a higher pigment loading has been added.
In some circumstances you can double your CUTEK® Colortone to achieve bolder effects on rough or brushed wood. We advise that you contact us to discuss this option in more detail as we want to ensure you have the best information possible.
Stir and mix the CUTEK® Colortone well before adding into the clear CUTEK® Extreme. Continue to stir and mix well with a flat stirrer, lifting from the bottom, for about 2 minutes before use and give a quick stir about every 15 minutes during use to ensure even results.
For best results, one coat of clear CUTEK® Extreme should be applied to all faces of the wood prior to installing, with a second and third coat of colortoned CUTEK® Extreme applied to the top surface once the previous coat is completely dry.
If applying post-construction, apply two thin coats to all accessible wood surfaces, ensuring the first coat has completely penetrated/diffused (dried) before applying the second coat.
Two or three thin coats on finished wood and hardwoods are better than one or two thick coats. CUTEK® Extreme will take longer to diffuse/penetrate into dense hardwoods, so thin coats are best to avoid delayed drying of the oil.
Colortoned CUTEK® Extreme will lighten/fade faster in full weather exposed areas, whereas wood in protected areas will retain color with minimal maintenance over time.
CUTEK® Extreme is designed to gradually fade, wear or erode, over time and with use, rather than peel, split or crack. Rejuvenation of faded or worn, wood coated with CUTEK® Extreme is a simple, fast and cost-effective process.
Clear or Colortoned CUTEK® Extreme should be reapplied as frequently as necessary to retain the natural beauty and color of your wood. Assessment of this is subjective and it is important to realize that color durability varies widely according to many factors including the age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, exposure to the weather and how rough the wood surface is.
Typically, horizontal exterior wood surfaces exposed to full weather, such as pool decks and handrails, will require recoating more frequently (initially after 6-12 months), while other surfaces, such as vertical rough-sawn cladding, will need recoating less often.
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.
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.
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® 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.
CUTEK® Extreme must be applied to clean, dry and non-greasy wood. It is vital that previous coatings are removed prior to applying a coat of CUTEK® Extreme.
CUTEK® Extreme may be applied to new wood without preparation, however for the best possible outcome, we recommend using CUTEK® Wood Reviver to clean the surface and open up the grain of the wood to assist with the free diffusion of CUTEK® Extreme and removal of extractives/tannins.
Yes, when applying it as a clear oil. Unlike most coatings, it is not necessary to wait for your wood to ‘weather’ before applying CUTEK® Extreme to new wood. In fact, we recommend the first coat goes on as soon as possible to protect the wood during the construction phase.
The reason why many traditional wood coatings require new wood to be weathered is that tannins and other extractives and/or mill glaze present in new wood may interfere with the adhesion and performance of subsequently applied coatings. CUTEK® Extreme does not have this issue. It can be applied to wood the moment it arrives on site.
If you would like to apply CUTEK® Extreme with an added CUTEK® Colortone, it is best to prepare your wood with CUTEK® Wood Reviver to remove all potential barriers for maximum color retention.
CUTEK® Extreme must be applied to bare, clean and dry wood. This allows the oil to freely penetrate/diffuse into your wood. 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 using the following steps:
After removing the previous coating, it is important to protect your exterior wood with CUTEK® Extreme to repel and displace moisture, and extend service life.
CUTEK® Extreme applied to new wood can initially change the color of the wood considerably, usually darkening the wood. This is due to CUTEK® Extreme filling all the voids/pores in the wood and “wetting it out”. Typically, CUTEK® Extreme coated wood will have a higher refractive value than air, hence the darker appearance upon initial coating. A quick and easy way to check what the color of your freshly CUTEK® oiled wood will look like is to splash some water on the wood and observe the color. Additionally, you can use a Pre-Mixed Sample to help you determine the suitability of color for your own project.
Wood protected with clear CUTEK® Extreme will naturally lighten/silver/gray with exposure to sunlight. Unless you want a clear finish that will lighten/silver/gray off, it is important to mix in a CUTEK® Colortone to your CUTEK® Extreme oil before use. Adding CUTEK® Colortones will provide UV color protection and slows the lightening/silvering process.
NOTE: CUTEK® Extreme diffuses deeply into your wood and will continue to provide moisture protection and improve dimensional stability even if a CUTEK® Colortone is not added, and your wood becomes weathered and grayed. To maintain your wood’s natural color for longer, choose a CUTEK® Colortone similar to the natural color of your wood. Suggested CUTEK® Colortones that match the natural hue of your wood can be found on our Colortone product page. Colortones can also help alter your wood’s color if required (e.g. make your wood look lighter or darker than its natural state).
Always use a PRE-MIXED SAMPLE to test if your chosen Colortone is right for your project.
NOTE: CUTEK® is unable to offer any specific performance warranties in relation to color retention for CUTEK® products because of many variables related to the weathering process including but 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® Extreme’s coverage will be different depending on the density and condition of the wood you are intending to coat. Please see below for a guide on the coverage rate of different woods:
| Coverage | |
| New hardwoods (sanded) | 400-800 sq.ft/gallon |
| Old restored wood (sanded) | 250-350 sq.ft/gallon |
| New wood (rough sawn) | 250-300 sq.ft/gallon |
| Old restored wood (rough sawn) | 150-250 sq.ft/gallon |
| Shingles and shakes | 84-212 sq.ft/gallon |
NOTE: These figures represent typical averages for common decking and cladding wood species and are to be used as a guideline only.
We recommend applying two thin coats of CUTEK® Extreme for the initial application.
For best results, ONE coat of CUTEK® Extreme should be applied to all faces of the wood prior to installing, with a SECOND coat applied to the top surface once the first coat has completely penetrated/diffused (dried).
If applying post-construction, apply two thin coats to all accessible wood surfaces, ensuring the first coat has completely penetrated/diffused (dried) before applying the second coat.
Subsequent maintenance coats should be applied when the wood is no longer beading water, or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural beauty and color of the wood.
CUTEK® Extreme does not behave like traditional film forming coatings, meaning there is no need to sand between coats, unless there is a need to fix some defect in the wood substrate.
Yes. Unlike many wood coatings, CUTEK® Extreme performs well in dry, hot conditions. In fact, heat and ventilation greatly assist the deep diffusion of CUTEK® Extreme into the wood.
Yes. CUTEK® products are simple and easy to use, and beginners can achieve professional results. Unlike traditional film-based coatings that dry very quickly or cannot be applied on days that are too hot or too cold, CUTEK® Extreme gives you time to correct and/or clean any areas where too much oil may have been applied, no matter what the ambient temperature is. Further, CUTEK® Extreme provides a “matte-low sheen” finish which tends to hide surface imperfections in the wood.
CUTEK® Extreme must be allowed to diffuse into the wood and fully cure between coats. If it is not fully dried and another coat is applied, the drying time of the second coat may be extended for much longer than it needs to be.
The speed of the drying process varies according to many different factors such as wood species, density, porosity, residual moisture content and temperature. Pre-coated wood will always dry faster if stacked outside.
Unlike traditional wood coatings, CUTEK® Extreme needs to penetrate/diffuse deeply into your wood. After coating, CUTEK® Extreme will slowly migrate into your wood to repel and displace moisture, improve dimensional stability and lengthen the service life of your wood. This penetration/diffusion process varies in time for many reasons including differences in wood type (species, density, porosity, age of wood 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 wood is ready for an additional coat of CUTEK® Extreme when it is completely dry and non-greasy. Please note the second coat of CUTEK® Extreme will take longer to migrate into your wood than the first coat.
CUTEK® Extreme works by deeply diffusing into the wood and it won’t dry on the surface until this process has been fully completed. The drying process varies in time according to many different factors such as wood species, density, porosity, residual moisture content and temperature, humidity etc.
To help ensure your CUTEK® Extreme dries as quickly as possible, make sure you avoid:
For best results, always allow CUTEK® Extreme to completely diffuse before adding an additional coat or using. If you cannot wait, rag off the excess material on the surface and the coating will dry on top at a much faster rate.
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.
CUTEK® Quickclean is an excellent exterior surface cleaner. CUTEK® Quickclean is also the best choice to clean your wood in preparation for a maintenance coat of CUTEK® Extreme.
Regular wood cleaning is important in maximizing service life of wood and with CUTEK® Quickclean, wood and other exterior surface cleaning is easy and cost effective.
No. CUTEK® Quickclean powerfully cleans wood to remove surface dirt, grease and grime. While it can remove some stains, it is not effective in removing stubborn stains from wood and/or restoring wood back to its original color. If you need to remove stubborn stains or restore gray and weathered wood, use CUTEK® Wood Reviver.
CUTEK® Quickclean is a powerful general purpose outdoor cleaner that removes dirt, grease and grime from outdoor surfaces. It is excellent to clean wood in preparation for a maintenance coat of CUTEK® Extreme.
CUTEK® Wood Reviver is a wood restoration agent that restores stained, weathered and gray wood back to its original appearance. CUTEK® Wood Reviver is effective in removing stubborn stains caused by tannins, water, iron, resins, mold and fungus. It should be used for weathered wood, to remove stains from wood and/or to restore wood back to its original appearance. Typically, CUTEK® Wood Reviver is utilized to rejuvenate wood before the initial coat of CUTEK® Extreme is applied. It can also be used to prepare new wood for coating by removing common side effects of machining lumber such as “mill glaze” and excess extractives.
No. CUTEK® Quickclean can help to remove mold and fungal growth on the surface of your wood, however it does not stop mold from reappearing on the wood.
CUTEK® Wood Reviver is a commercial strength restoration agent with a thirty-year pedigree. Designed by professionals for professionals, it works quickly to remove heavy discoloration, graying, iron stains, water stains, mold stains etc. from all species of wood, while brightening the natural grain. Unlike most DIY cleaners, CUTEK® Wood Reviver resists drying out on a hot day. It keeps working with a deep cleaning action, continuing the restoration process when others stop, without needing to keep the wood’s surface wet.