Find everything you need to get the best results from CUTEK® products
PRECAUTIONS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
CUTEK® is the trusted choice of design and construction professionals to powerfully protect wood. While CUTEK® products are manufactured to the highest standards, we are unable to offer specific performance warranties, including warranties for color retention, because of the wide variation in wood, projects, applications and environmental conditions.
Variables that can affect performance and appearance include, but are not limited to, the wood species, age, density and porosity; project design and construction; orientation and exposure; environmental conditions; surface preparation; and previous treatments or coatings.
For this reason, we always recommend testing CUTEK® products on the actual wood before application, particularly when color and appearance are important.
Color shown on screens, printed materials, samples or previously completed projects should not be relied upon as an exact representation of the final color on your wood. Wood species, grain, surface texture, preparation, age and other project-specific variables can all influence the final appearance.
CUTEK® will not accept liability for:
The application of an incorrect color to any substrate for any reason.
The application of CUTEK® Extreme to wood with a moisture content greater than 17%.
The application of CUTEK® Extreme over a pre-existing coating that prevents the product from properly penetrating the wood.
The application of CUTEK® Extreme to surfaces affected by chemical or environmental contamination.
When selecting a CUTEK® Colortone, always use a CUTEK® Pre-Mixed Sample on the actual wood to confirm the appearance before proceeding with the project.
CUTEK® may also provide general product information and guidance through digital or AI-assisted tools. This information is provided to help customers understand and use CUTEK® products but should not be relied upon as a project-specific specification, warranty or guarantee of performance. Where project conditions, product suitability or technical requirements are uncertain, please contact the CUTEK® Technical Support team before proceeding.
If you're unsure about the wood, preparation, color, exposure or suitability of CUTEK® for your project, contact our friendly team before application. We'd much rather help you get it right from the beginning.
IMPORTANT: Oil-soaked rags and other application materials can create a combustion fire risk if they are not handled correctly after use.
After using CUTEK® Extreme, do not leave oily rags, cloths or other oil-soaked materials folded, bundled, piled together or in an enclosed space.
Immediately after use:
Spread oily rags and materials flat outdoors to dry, at their full size, in a well-ventilated area above 39°F (4°C); or
Wash them thoroughly with water and detergent and rinse well.
Ensure oil is removed from clothing, tools, rags and other materials that have come into contact with the product.
Brushes and application equipment can be cleaned using mineral spirits or soap and water. Dispose of wash water and other waste in accordance with local regulations.
Never leave oil-soaked materials bundled together after use.
For complete safety, handling and disposal information, always refer to the current product label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Do not burn wood that has been treated with CUTEK® products.
CUTEK® treated wood should not be used as firewood, kindling or fuel, including in fireplaces, wood heaters, fire pits, barbecues or cooking fires.
When CUTEK® treated wood reaches the end of its useful life, dispose of it in accordance with applicable local waste-disposal requirements rather than burning it.
For further safety information about the CUTEK® product used, refer to the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Do not use CUTEK® treated wood for cooking, heating or recreational fires.
Do not use CUTEK® Extreme on food preparation or food-contact surfaces.
CUTEK® Extreme is not suitable for surfaces where food will be prepared, handled or placed directly onto the treated wood.
This includes surfaces such as:
Cutting boards
Butcher blocks
Food preparation benches
Serving boards
Other direct food-contact wood surfaces
For wood used around kitchens, outdoor entertaining areas or similar spaces, ensure the treated wood is not the direct food-contact surface.
For product-specific safety information, refer to the current product label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Always store, handle and dispose of CUTEK® products in accordance with the instructions on the product label and the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Keep products in their original containers, tightly closed when not in use.
Store products securely and in accordance with the storage requirements for that product.
Keep out of reach of children.
Use the personal protective equipment (PPE) specified for the product.
Avoid unnecessary contact with skin and eyes and follow all handling precautions on the label and SDS.
Do not dispose of unused product, contaminated wash water or other product waste into stormwater drains or waterways.
Dispose of product, containers and contaminated materials in accordance with applicable local regulations.
Different CUTEK® products have different handling, storage and disposal requirements. Always check the label and SDS for the specific product you are using.
Protect surfaces adjacent to the wood before applying CUTEK® products.
CUTEK® products may mark, discolor or damage surrounding materials if they come into contact with them.
Before application:
Cover and protect adjacent surfaces that are not intended to be treated.
Take particular care around porous materials such as concrete, masonry, paving and stone, where product may penetrate and be difficult to remove.
Avoid contact with glass, painted surfaces, metals, plastics and other finished materials unless compatibility has been confirmed.
Wipe up accidental spills or splashes immediately. Do not allow product to remain on an unintended surface.
If you are unsure whether a CUTEK® product is compatible with another material, test first or contact CUTEK® Technical Support before proceeding.
CUTEK® cannot guarantee the removal of product that has penetrated, stained or otherwise affected an unintended surface.
Take care to prevent iron and other metal contamination from coming into contact with wood.
Iron can react with naturally occurring compounds in some wood species and cause dark gray or black discoloration.
Sources of contamination may include:
Metal filings or grinding dust
Steel wool
Metal tools or equipment
Cutting, drilling or construction debris
Inappropriate or corroding fasteners and fixings
Use fasteners and fixings suitable for the wood species, application and exposure conditions, particularly in exterior or corrosive environments.
Remove metal filings, dust and other contamination from the wood before applying CUTEK® products.
CUTEK® products cannot prevent discoloration caused by reactions between the wood and incompatible metals or external contamination.
Do not apply CUTEK® Extreme to wet wood or wood with a moisture content greater than 17%.
Wood must be clean, bare and dry before application. Excess moisture, existing coatings and surface contamination can interfere with the ability of CUTEK® Extreme to properly penetrate the wood.
NOTE: Wood that appears clean may still contain mold spores or other biological contamination that is not immediately visible. If these remain in or on the wood before coating, dark discoloration may subsequently develop.
Before application:
Confirm the wood has a moisture content of 17% or less.
Remove dirt, grime, mold, biological growth and other surface contamination.
Address sources of persistent moisture, poor drainage or other conditions that are keeping the wood unnecessarily wet.
Remove existing coatings that may prevent CUTEK® Extreme from penetrating.
Do not apply to surfaces affected by chemical or environmental contamination without first identifying and appropriately addressing the source.
Do not apply CUTEK® Extreme simply to cover existing mold, biological growth or an unresolved moisture or contamination problem.
CUTEK® oils do not prevent mold spores or other biological contaminants from being deposited on the surface of wood. Keeping the wood clean and addressing conditions that encourage persistent moisture will help reduce the opportunity for biological growth.
If mold-related discoloration develops, CUTEK® Wood Reviver may be able to help remove the resulting discoloration. Test first and contact CUTEK® Technical Support if you are unsure of the cause or appropriate treatment.
Wood is a natural material. CUTEK® products cannot prevent or control the natural movement of extractives, tannins, oils, resins or other substances within the wood.
These naturally occurring substances may:
Migrate or leach from the wood.
Cause discoloration of the wood or adjacent surfaces.
Become more visible around knots or resin-rich areas.
Affect the appearance or absorption of the product.
Change in response to moisture, heat and weather exposure.
CUTEK® Extreme penetrates deeply into wood and displaces moisture. In some wood, particularly material containing numerous or loose knots, this may cause knots to loosen or become dislodged.
Wood species vary considerably in their natural characteristics. Identify the species and any known characteristics that may affect the project, and test CUTEK® on the actual wood before application.
CUTEK® cannot prevent discoloration, leaching, resin movement or other effects caused by naturally occurring substances within the wood.
Do not assume CUTEK®-treated wood is resistant to chemicals, cleaners or other substances unless compatibility has been confirmed.
Exposure to chemicals may affect the wood, CUTEK® product efficacy, color or overall appearance of the surface.
Take particular care with:
Strong acids or alkalis
Bleach and other concentrated cleaning chemicals
Solvents and degreasers
Pool and spa chemicals
Fertilizers, pesticides and other garden chemicals
Industrial chemicals or contaminants
Do not use an unapproved chemical or cleaning product on CUTEK®-treated wood without testing it first.
If the wood will be regularly exposed to chemicals, or you are unsure how to clean a particular substance from the surface, contact CUTEK® Technical Support before proceeding.
CUTEK® oils are designed to protect wood by helping manage moisture, increasing dimensional stability and extending service life. They are not intended to replace licensed wood treatment processes.
Always confirm that adhesives and glues used in conjunction with CUTEK® Extreme are compatible with oil and solvent exposure.
Some silicone and rubber-based adhesives have poor oil and solvent resistance and may be incompatible with CUTEK® Extreme.
Where an adhesive is required, polyurethane or fluoro-silicone adhesive technologies may provide greater resistance to oil and solvent exposure and may be more suitable options to investigate. Compatibility must still be confirmed with the adhesive manufacturer and tested for the specific application before proceeding.
Check the adhesive manufacturer’s compatibility requirements.
Test compatibility with CUTEK® Extreme before use.
Do not assume an adhesive is compatible simply because it is suitable for wood.
Where compatibility is uncertain, contact CUTEK® Technical Support before proceeding.
Garage doors and similar constructions: Where wood is adhered to a frame or substrate using a rubber-based adhesive, or the adhesive type is unknown, apply a suitable adhesion sealer between the CUTEK®-treated wood and the adhesive to help prevent CUTEK® Extreme from coming into contact with the adhesive.
Always confirm compatibility before CUTEK® Extreme is used in contact with, or where it may migrate into, an adhesive system.
CUTEK® Extreme may affect rubber, Butynol, rubber-based adhesives and some silicone products.
CUTEK® Extreme can dissolve rubber-based glues and adhesives and may affect Butynol and rubber surfaces if it is not wiped off promptly after contact. Some silicones may also be affected.
When using CUTEK® Extreme around these materials:
Avoid unnecessary direct contact.
Wipe off accidental contact promptly.
Confirm compatibility before application where CUTEK® Extreme may come into contact with rubber, Butynol, silicone or associated adhesives.
Test first where compatibility is uncertain.
When CUTEK® Extreme is applied to wooden shingles, it does not normally affect the Butynol underlay.
Wood treated with CUTEK® Extreme may also become discolored if it remains in constant contact with bituminous materials.
If you are unsure about compatibility with a particular material or construction system, contact CUTEK® Technical Support before proceeding.
CUTEK® Extreme does not stop wood from naturally leaching, although it can significantly reduce it.
Water-soluble tannins and other natural extractives can move out of wood when exposed to moisture. This runoff may discolor adjacent surfaces, particularly porous or alkaline materials such as concrete, masonry, tiles, pavers, painted surfaces or stucco.
Where leaching could affect surrounding materials:
Protect adjacent and underlying surfaces.
Consider how water will drain or run off the wood.
Be particularly careful with wood species known to contain high levels of tannins or extractives.
Clean runoff or discoloration promptly where possible.
If tannin or leachate discoloration occurs, CUTEK® Wood Reviver can often be used to remove it from affected surfaces. Always test first to confirm suitability for that surface.
CUTEK® Extreme helps protect the wood, but it cannot prevent the natural extractives within the wood from leaching.
CUTEK® Extreme can migrate through wood and may become visible on surfaces where it was not directly applied.
CUTEK® Extreme remains mobile within the wood. Depending on the wood, construction and application, the oil may diffuse through the wood from one surface toward another.
When CUTEK® Extreme includes Colortone, this movement may also carry pigment, which can become visible on another face of the wood or, in some circumstances, on adjoining materials.
Consider this before application where:
Only one face of the wood will be coated.
The opposite face will remain visible or has a different finish.
Wood is directly adjoining another material where migrated oil or pigment could become visible.
The design contains joints, end grain or other pathways through which oil may move.
Do not assume CUTEK® Extreme will remain only on the surface where it was applied.
Where cross diffusion could affect the finished appearance or surrounding materials, test the proposed application first or contact CUTEK® Technical Support before proceeding.
Take care where CUTEK®-treated wood is in contact with, or positioned above, concrete, masonry or other alkaline materials.
Natural tannins and extractives from wood can react with alkaline materials and may cause discoloration to the wood or surrounding surfaces, particularly where moisture is present.
Where wood adjoins concrete, masonry or similar materials:
Consider the potential for water and wood extractives to move between the materials.
Protect adjacent surfaces during application.
Avoid allowing runoff from the wood to remain on surrounding surfaces.
Where practical, prevent prolonged direct contact between wet wood and highly alkaline materials.
Test first where the finished appearance is critical.
Natural tannins and extractives within wood can interact with moisture and alkaline materials, resulting in discoloration.
If unexpected discoloration occurs, contact CUTEK® Technical Support before attempting corrective treatment.
Some wood species contain high levels of natural oils that can affect the penetration of CUTEK® Oils.
The amount of natural oil present can vary between wood species and even between individual pieces of the same species.
When working with naturally oily wood:
Ensure the surface is properly prepared before applying CUTEK® Oil.
Allow newly milled or particularly oily wood sufficient time and preparation for excess surface oils to be addressed.
Test the CUTEK® oil on the actual wood before proceeding with the full project.
Do not apply additional coats simply because the oil is penetrating more slowly than expected.
Allow each coat to fully penetrate and become dry and non-greasy before applying another coat.
If the wood remains unusually oily, does not readily accept CUTEK® oil, or you are unsure how to prepare a particular species, contact CUTEK® Technical Support before proceeding.
The natural oil content of the wood can influence how readily CUTEK® oil penetrates and how the finished wood appears.
Bamboo is a grass, not a wood. CUTEK® Extreme was specifically developed for use on wood.
CUTEK® Extreme has been used successfully on some bamboo products; however, bamboo can behave differently from wood and can vary significantly depending on its species, density, manufacturing process and any treatments or coatings applied during manufacture.
For this reason:
Always test CUTEK® Extreme on the actual bamboo product before proceeding.
Confirm that the product can properly penetrate the surface.
Check that the resulting appearance and performance are acceptable for the intended application.
Where the bamboo has been manufactured, modified or pre-treated, check with the bamboo manufacturer for any relevant coating requirements or limitations.
Any use of CUTEK® Extreme on bamboo is at the owner's risk. CUTEK® cannot guarantee the suitability or performance of CUTEK® Extreme when used on bamboo.
Do not use CUTEK® Extreme on roofs or other wooden surfaces where runoff water is collected for drinking purposes.
This includes wood shingles, shakes and other CUTEK® Extreme-treated surfaces that form part of a potable rainwater collection system.
CUTEK® Extreme can be used to protect wood shingles and shakes where rainwater is not being collected for drinking water.
If roof runoff will enter a drinking-water collection system, do not apply CUTEK® Extreme to that roof.
CUTEK® Extreme must be able to penetrate directly into the wood to work as intended.
Wood that has previously been treated with drying oils or vegetable-based oils, such as linseed oil, may have a hardened or cross-linked layer that prevents CUTEK® Extreme from properly penetrating.
Before applying CUTEK® Extreme:
Identify any previous oils, coatings or treatments applied to the wood.
Completely remove any existing coating or treatment that prevents penetration before application.
Do not assume that an existing oil treatment is compatible simply because CUTEK® Extreme is also described as an oil.
If the previous treatment is unknown, test the prepared wood to confirm that it will readily absorb CUTEK® Extreme before proceeding.
CUTEK® Extreme should only be applied where it can properly penetrate clean, bare and dry wood.
