A Simplistic Overview of Wood Protection

What Happens To Unprotected Timber

1. Moisture movement  into and out of the timber attracts mould, bacteria and fungi. These in turn give rise to stains, rot and decay.
2. When water enters the cells, the cells swell. When it leaves the cells, they shrink. This expansion and contraction of the timber cells creates forces within the wood resulting in warping, cupping and twisting.

How should I protect my timber?

You can use paints, stains and natural oils (all film forming) or Cutek CD50 Penetrating Oil & Finish for Wood  (non film forming),

How do they work?

Most paints and stains encapsulate the timber to stop the movement of moisture into and out of the wood. Some claim to be resistant to UV light and not break down in sunlight.

What can go wrong with that?

By placing a film or coating over the surface it will work only until the film is broken by exposure to the elements i.e. wind, rain and sun (UV). When moisture penetrates the film, hydrostatic pressure will cause it to peel and flake off. The free moisture movement into and out of the wood creates stains, rot and decay and timber instability from the cells swelling and contracting.

What about Oil? It's got to be good for wood.

Oils have been used for years to protect wood. Nearly all work by cross linking close to the surface to provide a barrier, similar in effect to film forming products. Some oils provide nutrients that support the growth of fungi, mould and bacteria, the thriving of which results in unsightly stains rot and decay.

So what makes Cutek Pentrating Oil Finish for wood so different?

Cutek CD50 Penetrating Oil Finish for Wood is non film forming. It migrates deeply into the timber where it works from within. There is no film to break down.

1. Cutek CD50 Penetrating Oil coats the cell walls preventing moisture moving into and out of the cells. The timber cells are stable, warping, cupping and twisting are controlled.
2. Cutek CD50 is resistant to mildew.