| p>Log home restoration consists of many different | | | | bicarbonate, or baking soda. This is used with good |
| techniques and procedures. One procedure that may | | | | results especially if there is mold and mildew or |
| not be familiar to some log home owners is "media | | | | smoke damage. It is the most expensive of the |
| blasting." Just the name sounds pretty aggressive and | | | | three and therefore generally used for the |
| may cause concern. However, used properly it is the | | | | aforementioned applications. Unlike corn cob, soda can |
| best method of removing certain coatings and | | | | not be used over because it breaks down to the |
| finishes. | | | | point that it becomes ineffective, again making it |
| Media blasting is similar to sand blasting in that it is a | | | | more expensive. It is like corn cob in that it is very |
| system that uses compressed air to force a | | | | forgiven and will not damage the underlying substrate. |
| particular media through a hose onto a surface with | | | | It is so forgiven that it can be used to remove paint |
| enough force to remove a coating or other material | | | | from glass and plastic, but it has to be done properly. |
| from the surface being cleaned. Different media | | | | Crushed glass or glass beads is a finely ground |
| reacts differently depending on the surface being | | | | recycled glass that is the texture of fine sand. It |
| cleaned and the coating being removed. Sand being | | | | does not cut the skin if handled, but can be harmful if |
| one the most abrasive media is generally used for | | | | ingested or inhaled so safety equipment must be |
| more industrial applications such as rust removal from | | | | used as with any media. Glass, unlike soda and corn |
| steel, epoxy paints and other hard surfaces. Sand is | | | | can damage the surface and the substrate |
| not used as much as it once was because of the | | | | particularly wood and especially soft wood such as |
| safety issues involved. Sand is made up of Silica, a | | | | cedar or white pine. The utmost care must be taken |
| known cancer causing agent. Therefore other types | | | | so as not to gouge or pit the wood. Although |
| of media that have become available are preferred | | | | non-abrasive, glass is very hard and sharper than |
| and are widely used. | | | | corn and soda thereby making it much more |
| In the case of log home restoration, media blasting | | | | aggressive. The slightest contact with a window or |
| has become an acceptable way of cleaning and | | | | door will damage it beyond repair making the contact |
| removing some finishes from the logs and other | | | | area look like a frosted glass pane. Costing the least, |
| surfaces. As with any type of cleaning or stripping, | | | | it does clean well and remove stubborn coatings. |
| care must be taken in order to not change the | | | | Glass is the least dusty and can be recycled a few |
| profile or damage the surface of the logs or other | | | | times if sifted. Overall it has the fastest cleaning |
| substrate. | | | | ability due to the sharpness and density making it a |
| There are many different types of blasting media | | | | cost effective method of stripping. |
| being used on the market. The most popular for log | | | | Media blasting using these three products performs |
| home restoration is crushed corn cob, crushed glass | | | | well at removing latex stains and paint as well as |
| or glass beads and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda.) | | | | some of the tougher "film forming" oil stains and |
| Each has it's place and purpose. | | | | sealers. They are eco-friendly and biodegradable |
| Corn cob is probably the most popular and readily | | | | making it easy to dispose of once spent. Usually it |
| available. It works well at removing tough finishes | | | | can be raked into the soil or the bulk can be |
| without harming delicate surfaces such as vinyl trim, | | | | gathered up and spread in an out of the way area |
| aluminum or glass. It also can be reclaimed, sifted and | | | | where a few good rain showers will dissolve or dilute |
| reused a few times before becoming spent and of | | | | it. |
| no value. The disadvantages of using corn cob is, one | | | | Although some sanding may be involved, media |
| it's cost. Like other food products, corn is getting | | | | blasting compared to sanding alone or using other |
| expensive, especially when using a couple of | | | | latex strippers that usually contain methylene chloride, |
| thousand pounds on a log home. And two, it probably | | | | known to cause cancer, has become the best |
| creates the most dust. Although any finely ground | | | | method of removing finishes that the typical oil |
| media will be dusty, corn cob being so light and less | | | | strippers will not remove. |
| dense, creates far more than most others. Also, | | | | Log home restoration consists of many techniques |
| being the most dusty means that it will get in every | | | | and procedures. Media blasting is one that has found |
| nook and cranny in and around your log home. It | | | | it's place in the log home restoration process. |
| would be wise to ask whoever you get to do your | | | | Knowing when to media blast depends on the finish |
| blasting what precautions will be taken to eliminate as | | | | on the log home. Knowing how to media blast |
| much dust as possible. Just as a side note, some dust | | | | depends on not only the proper technique, media, air |
| will get inside of the home no matter what is done | | | | pressure, and nozzle size, but also a knowledgeable |
| to prevent it so be ready to do some spring cleaning. | | | | operator. This is one procedure that you will get |
| There are a few ways however to help reduce the | | | | what you pay for. |
| infiltration. | | | | Make sure you know what you are paying for. |
| Another blasting media being used is sodium | | | | |