| p>Media blasting is accepted as a means of removing | | | | There are also disadvantages with media blasting. |
| coatings from most any surface. In log home | | | | There is more expense involved compared to |
| restoration, it works well at removing old stains and | | | | chemical stripping due to the cost of the blasting pot, |
| finishes to prepare the wood for a new sealer. Like | | | | compressor rental, the media itself and the large |
| any tool, it has it's place, but sometimes is over used. | | | | amount that is needed. Also, walk boards, scaffolding |
| Media Blasting or Abrasive Blasting is the process of | | | | and staging are needed where as with chemical |
| using compressed air to propel abrasive particles from | | | | stripping, ladders will usually suffice. And although a |
| a blast machine or blasting pot, through a hose and | | | | dry process, it does create massive amounts of |
| onto a surface at a high rate of speed in a way as | | | | heavy dust. This dust gets into anything and |
| to remove the existing coating and to be an | | | | everything nearby. |
| effective cleaning treatment. Media Blasting for | | | | During a log home restoration using chemical stripping, |
| surface preparation removes unwanted coatings and | | | | water can get inside the house from between the |
| leaves a clean surface ready for re-coating or other | | | | logs, around the corners and ceilings and other areas |
| types of finishing. | | | | you might not expect. Anywhere the water can get |
| Used in log home restoration, many contractors use | | | | in, so can media dust. Unlike water that will trickle |
| it to remove any type of coating, oil or latex or just | | | | through and can easily be wiped up, media dust on |
| for cleaning to remove grayed out wood, dirt and | | | | the other hand creeps in and can circulate throughout |
| mildew. Because of the nature of the process, it is | | | | the house covering everything. If you have a good |
| more expensive than the basic chemical strip and | | | | contractor, they will usually line the exterior walls with |
| requires some specialized equipment. An industrial | | | | plastic which helps, but depending on how good of a |
| type air compressor capable of producing at least 185 | | | | seal is used, some dust will find it's way onto the |
| cubic feet per minute of air volume must be used. | | | | kitchen table, cabinets, furniture and any other |
| Some contractors own their own, but most rent one | | | | horizontal surfaces. |
| as needed. Also a special "blasting pot" designed to | | | | Another disadvantage is the profile left on the logs. |
| dispense crushed glass, baking soda and ground corn | | | | This profile is created when the media hits the grain |
| cob media is used. It is similar to a sand blaster, but | | | | of the wood. The grain has soft and hard spots, and |
| modified to handle different media. Along with this | | | | the softer spots will be removed deeper than the |
| special equipment, several thousand pounds of the | | | | harder spots leaving a profile in the wood. This may |
| media itself is needed. Three to four thousand | | | | or may not be an issue depending on the finish used, |
| pounds in not unusual. | | | | the number of coats applied and the look that is |
| Using Media Blasting for log home restoration does an | | | | wanted. Depending on the wood species and the |
| excellent job of removing whatever is on the logs, | | | | media blast operator, some grooves created in the |
| however it is really best suited for the harder to | | | | logs may have to be sanded out. Be sure to discuss |
| remove water based and latex stains and paints. | | | | this with your contractor before your log home |
| Chemical stripping on the other hand is best suited | | | | restoration begins so there will be no surprises after |
| for oil based stains which is 75% of what is used on | | | | the coating is removed and there are logs left with a |
| log homes in this area. | | | | deep profile you did not expect to see. |
| Media Blasting has it's advantages. The biggest being | | | | Finally, maybe the biggest disadvantage of media |
| that it is a dry process. When the finish or coating is | | | | blasting is the fact that it is being used when it may |
| removed, the stain can be applied immediately. There | | | | not be needed at all. Log home owners are paying |
| is no waiting for the logs to dry as with chemical | | | | for something they don't need. If your log home has |
| stripping, and no water to contend with inside the | | | | the typical linseed oil based stain on it, media blasting |
| home from leaks. Also, the used media can be | | | | is not needed. A chemical strip will work fine, cost |
| gathered up, sifted and reused. Once spent, it can be | | | | less and much easier to clean up. Media blasting is |
| bagged and disposed of or, being biodegradable, it | | | | needed only for latex stains and paints and only |
| can be spread out and used as a soil amendment. | | | | necessary on the toughest intact oil/alkyd based |
| The actual blasting is a fairly fast process once | | | | stains. |
| everything is set up and staging and scaffolding is in | | | | So when it is time to begin your log home |
| place. Usually two people can handle the work; one | | | | restoration, do your homework. Make sure you are |
| operating the nozzle and one filling the hopper, | | | | aware of what is needed and what is not. It not only |
| adjusting air/media mixtures and watching that the | | | | could save you some time on the project, it could |
| machinery and hoses are in good working order and | | | | also save you money, money that could be used on |
| running properly. | | | | other projects. |