Philosophy

Our Philosophy
Products
Our product range is based on our Timber Protection and Staining Philosophy. This is discussed below.
What happens if my timber is not protected
Wood is a natural material made of cells and fibres. When first harvested, the timber is full of sap (moisture). Timber which is ready for use in the building industry, has had most of the internal moisture removed by various processes. As timber ages, if it has no further protection, there will be movement of moisture into and out of the timber. This happens because of - the obvious effects of the rain the drying effects of wind the heating and drying effects of the sun. In addition, as the temperature changes at the surface, as it naturally does between day and night, the moisture moves into the cells (causing them to swell), and out of the cells, (causing them to shrink). This causes forces within the timber, which can result in: warping twisting cupping splitting The ultra-violet effects of the sun cause changes at the surface of the timber, resulting in silvering. In addition, as timber is a natural material, it is attractive to: mould bacteria fungi These cause unsightly stains, and eventually lead to rotting and decay. Some insects, such as termites and borer, make their homes in timber, and must be controlled.

Timber Protection
How should I protect my timber How does CD50 protect my timber How does the weather affect my timber
How should I protect my timber
So what should I do to protect my timber? Obviously, timber must be protected from these effects if it is to last and look good. The approaches that are available are: Paints (film forming) Stains (film forming) Natural Oils (barrier formers) CD50 Liquid art (non film forming - deep penetrating) How do they work? Most paints and stains work the same way. They provide a film or coating over the surface of the timber to stop the movement of moisture into and out of the wood. Some of these films are claimed to be resistant to UV light and will not break down in sunlight. What can go wrong with that? Placing a film or coating over the surface will work only until that film is broken. When moisture gets in behind the film, it may start to flake or peel off. When moisture gets into the timber it leads to warping and cupping etc., as detailed above. Most film forming products rely entirely on the film to protect the timber. In addition, film forming products often hide the character of the timber. The visual effect of the timber grain and natural beauty is hidden under a coating. What about oil - is it good for timber? Oils have been used for years to protect timber. Nearly all work by cross-linking close to the surface to provide a barrier which is similar in its effect to the film forming products. Some oils provide nutrients that support the growth of fungi, mould and bacteria. Fungi, mould and bacteria thriving within the oil can lead to unsightly stains, rot and decay.	Broken down film formers
How does CD50 protect my timber
CD50 Liquid art is totally unique and different from other products. Most importantly, it is not a film forming product. CD50 Liquid art is an oil based product that: Contains Copper Quinolinolate (Copper 8) - an extremely safe preservative which is extremely, effective on bacteria, mould and fungi. Has a special patented formulation that takes the CD50 deep into the timber where it works from within What sets CD50 Liquid Art apart from other products? CD50 Liquid art penetrates deep within the timber structure, coats the fibres and prevents the moisture movement into and out of the cells. This controls warping, cupping, and splitting. In other words, the structure and shape of the timber is protected. CD50 Liquid art gives stability to the timber. In some cases CD50 can return cupped and warped timber back to near its original shape. With sufficient applications of CD50 cupped and warped weatherboards can be renailed straight again. CD50 Liquid art gives protection against termites and borer CD50 Liquid art controls mould, fungus and bacterial growth within the timber, giving protection against rot and decay. CD50 Liquid art does not break down in the UV rays of sunlight. This is particularly important in countries that have extremely high UV conditions, like New Zealand. There is no "film" to break down, by sunlight, weather or mechanical effects. Copper 8 is recognised worldwide for its effectiveness, yet when applied to timber, has little or no toxicity to humans and mammals. It is even suitable for timber that has incidental contact with food or potable rain water. As a liquid, CD50 Liquid Art is rated as a non-hazardous product. It is safe for humans, mammals, and for the environment.

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Weather Effects
Weather conditions affect timber. The following illustrations show the difference that CD50® can make.
Weather conditions affect timber. Situation: no preservative applied to timber. Situation: CD50® applied to timber. Back to top