▲ An example application of 'Creo Power-EX,' which offers outstanding performance in protecting wood from termites and various pests

Full-scale entry into the DIY market and recruitment of dealers now underway—offering consumers diverse options with small-capacity, functional products

As the number of DIY (Do It Yourself) consumers who make their own furniture, crafts, and small items has been increasing recently, attention is being drawn to products set for release that overcome the inefficiency of conventional bulk purchases and the limits of functionality.

Donghwa Special Industry Co., Ltd. (CEO Kim Seok-cheon), which manufactures and sells the eco-friendly 'Cheonnyeon Otchil (Thousand-Year Lacquer)' paint, announced that it has newly established a DIY Business Division to enter the DIY-related market and will exclusively supply in Korea the DIY finishing paints of Kasin Paint, a leading company in Japan's 100-year-old paint industry.

The Kasin Paint DIY paints newly introduced by Donghwa Special Industry comprise four products—▲Water-based Craft Lacquer ▲Water-based 和 (Nagomi) ▲Clear Coat ▲Exterior Color—and are applied to finishing indoor and outdoor wood and craft items. As eco-friendly water-based paints, they use water (tap water) as the diluting agent, and being released in small capacities of 180–200㎖, they are perfectly suited to DIY consumers. In particular, the stain product, in addition to its insect-repellent and preservative performance, possesses 'anti-termite' performance that prevents termites from gnawing at wood, placing it ahead of any other product in terms of functionality.

'Water-based Craft Lacquer' is a lacquer-style water-based urethane paint developed to further popularize lacquer-style coating—a traditional Japanese craft—and make it easy to experience. It can be applied to indoor woodwork products and craft items such as lacquerware, picture frames, ceramics, non-ferrous metals, glass, and metal. It is so eco-friendly, complying with the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food Sanitation Act, that it can be used even on tableware such as snack plates and chopsticks, and colors can be created by mixing products of the same kind. As for the method of use, wood coating requires three coats, while ceramics, metal, and lacquerware require one to two coats. With a 200㎖ capacity, applying a total of three coats can finish an area of about 0.8㎡.

'Water-based 和 (Nagomi)' is a water-based oil finishing paint blended with natural camellia oil, and its low odor makes it suitable for indoor coating. It can be used on interior unpainted wood such as furniture, craft items, and handicrafts, and if wiped off after application before it dries, coating blotches remain inconspicuous. The depth of color varies depending on the coating method and the amount of paint absorbed by the wood, and with a 180㎖ capacity, applying a total of two coats can finish an area of about 1.8㎡.

'Clear Coat' is a high-performance top-coat product with a soft, subtle gloss finish, used to protect and tint indoor wood. It is a water-based urethane paint with low odor that is well suited for indoor use, and it has received certification of compliance with the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food Sanitation Act. It coats and protects the wood surface, provides good tinting, and finishes with a subtle gloss. When you want to lighten the color, you can mix in a lighter shade. With a 180㎖ capacity, applying a total of two coats can finish an area of about 1㎡.

'Exterior Color' is a water-based outdoor stain that protects items such as wooden garden products. It is characterized by protecting wood with five effects—insect repellency, preservation, mildew prevention, anti-termite protection, and water repellency—and it enables coating that brings out the wood grain through effective tinting. Its advantages are low odor and ease of use, and since colors can be mixed as if with paints, overlaying different colors allows for a finish different from a single color. With a 180㎖ capacity, a single coat can finish an area of about 2㎡.

In addition to the four products, Donghwa Special Industry is also introducing Kasin Paint's eco-friendly wood-protection functional stain 'Creo Power-EX.' Water-based Creo Power-EX is a functional paint incorporating a variety of specialized technologies, and it is especially outstanding in protecting wood from termites and various pests. For cultural heritage properties, temples, and old wooden structures, protection from termites is essential, and Creo Power-EX received passing certification in Japan's anti-termite performance test (JIS K 1571), with an average wood weight loss rate of 1.8%, below the standard value of 3%. In addition, it has low VOC emissions (14 g/L) and no heavy metals, and it blocks UV rays and provides water resistance, durability, and breathability while preventing mildew and discoloration of wood.

Kim Seok-cheon, CEO of Donghwa Special Industry, explained, "Most paints released in Korea are supplied in large capacities, which creates waste for DIY consumers to use, but the Kasin Paint product line that Donghwa Special Industry is releasing this time is supplied in small capacities, improving usage efficiency and serving as a good opportunity to experience authentic Japanese paint equipped with more advanced technology," adding, "It will contribute to providing diverse options and functionality in the domestic DIY market." Along with the launch of the Kasin Paint DIY product line, Donghwa Special Industry plans to separately produce and release its flagship products such as 'Cheonnyeon Otchil' and 'Eco Cracksil Wood' in small capacities.

Realizing a Building Culture Where People and Nature Coexist

Founded in 1994, Donghwa Special Industry Co., Ltd. conducts research and development on the preservation and restoration of wood, and devotes its efforts to environmental conservation through eco-friendly products, focusing on research and development to realize a safe residential environment and a building culture where people and nature can coexist. Its main products include ▲Cheonnyeon Otchil ▲Eco Cracksil Wood ▲Air Plane (Air Daepae) ▲Eco Gel Remover.

'Cheonnyeon Otchil' is a product that solves the drawbacks of lacquer—which preserves the lifespan and beauty of wooden structures for a long time but has failed to become popular due to its high price and difficult workability—and, using a patented eco-friendly water-soluble method, it goes through processes of mixing, extracting, and refining raw lacquer to embody the functions of pure lacquer. Cheonnyeon Otchil prevents cracking and discoloration of wood and protects wood from strong ultraviolet (UV) rays. With mildew prevention, waterproofing, and stain-resistance functions, it enhances durability, and its natural lacquer components, which insects dislike, guard against various pests such as termites and woodworms. With the distinctive color of its natural lacquer components, it preserves wood over the long term, and it purifies the air of harmful substances that are detrimental to indoor air, while deodorizing and emitting far-infrared rays to protect the human body from conditions such as sick-house syndrome.

'Cracksil Wood' is a water-soluble paint that protects the wood of hanok (traditional Korean houses) and prevents wood cracking and discoloration. It creates a high-quality transparent coating with a natural, glossy or matte finish that preserves the patterns of interior and exterior wood over the long term while maintaining a soft texture. As an eco-friendly product containing no heavy metals whatsoever, it offers strong UV stability, gives off no toxic odor during coating, and provides waterproofing and spatial stability.

'Air Plane (Air Daepae),' an eco-friendly new-technology dry method using wood powder, is a new-technology dry method for wooden structures specially developed for the purpose of original restoration and lifespan extension. It sprays a mixture of air and wood powder onto the target, removing contaminant fungi, decay fungi, and deteriorated layers as well as old coating films from various processed wood without damage. 'Eco Gel Remover' is a stripping agent that contains no highly toxic, highly volatile solvents such as dichloromethane—an environmentally friendly product developed with consideration for workers, the environment, and safety. It can recover harmful substances such as heavy metals contained in paint without scattering or leaking them. 031-451-6232


▲ Kim Seok-cheon, CEO of Donghwa Special Industry Co., Ltd.

▲ Water-based Craft Lacquer

▲ Water-based 和 (Nagomi)

▲ Clear Coat

▲ Exterior Color

▲ The National Assembly's 'Sarangjae,' restored inside and out with 'Cheonnyeon Otchil.' Cheonnyeon Otchil prevents cracking and discoloration of wood and protects wood from strong ultraviolet (UV) rays.