| p>I often get requests from log home owners that | | | | applied. |
| say, "I want to have my log home cleaned and | | | | In the second case, it must be determined if the |
| stained." When I ask exactly what do they mean, I | | | | stain is a "film forming" or a "non-film forming stain. If |
| usually here" I want the logs washed and re-coated. | | | | it is a film forming stain, the best advice is to follow |
| At this point I ask for a few minutes of their time to | | | | the manufacture's directions for re-coating. Take |
| explain the following. | | | | note that most film forming stains require "clean bare |
| Depending on the type of finish that is on the logs | | | | wood" to re-coat which means a total strip of the |
| and it's condition will dictate which process must be | | | | old finish. With "non-film forming stains, a chlorine |
| used to prepare the wood for re-coat. This is where | | | | wash usually is sufficient if the wood was cleaned |
| log home restoration can sometimes get a bad name. | | | | and prepped properly the first time. It is generally |
| The general rule of thumb is, if you have a latex | | | | accepted that while bleach will kill mildew, it has no |
| stain or paint that is in GOOD condition, then probably | | | | cleaning properties. So if the house (or deck) is |
| a good wash with a chlorine solution will do. If it is an | | | | mildewed only, it may be alright to use bleach to |
| oil stain, there are many factors to take into | | | | remove it, but that does little to remove dirt and |
| consideration. | | | | other debris. |
| Too many times I am called to a log home that has | | | | The best way to solve all of the above problems is |
| been stained (with an oil stain) only two to three | | | | to do a "light" strip unless there is an intact stain that |
| years prior. As a rule, the problem with the stain is | | | | must be removed, in which case a "heavy" strip |
| one of two things. | | | | would be required. |
| First, the stain was put on a newly constructed home | | | | Although there are "mill glaze" removal products sold, |
| that probably had "green" or wet logs and was not | | | | a light chemical strip is all that is needed to not only |
| properly cleaned and prepped to receive the finish. | | | | remove mill glaze, but also dirt, stains and |
| Second, someone came along and sold the | | | | discolorations. Stripping will also remove mildew |
| homeowner on a bleach wash and a fast re-coat. | | | | however, it is recommended to follow up with a |
| With the first, the newly constructed home, several | | | | chlorine rinse to make sure all the mildew is not just |
| things must be taken into consideration. Most of the | | | | removed, but the mildew spores are killed deep into |
| time with the exception of a few log home | | | | the pores of the wood. If not completely irradiated |
| manufactures that have kiln dried their logs, most | | | | from the wood, mildew can grow back under the |
| logs probably have not been cut down very long. | | | | new stain causing major problems that can only be |
| Then if it is a milled log it is coated with "Mill Glaze"; a | | | | corrected by going through the whole stripping |
| result of the logs passing through the fast turning | | | | process again. |
| milling knives that leaves a film of sap from the wood | | | | This process is not the cheapest, but it is the proper |
| that is drawn to the surface. | | | | way to prepare the wood. If the new stain has to |
| Also, it is not uncommon after the home is built to | | | | be removed because of using shortcuts, it will end up |
| find soiled, stained or mildewed logs that have been | | | | costing far more than if it had been done properly |
| erected. So we end up with wet logs that have a | | | | the first time. |
| film of sap on them and stand a good chance of | | | | So when the homeowner wants their home "cleaned |
| being dirty. Not the ideal surface for a penetrating | | | | and stained," they need to be sure that the correct |
| stain or any kind of finish for that matter to be | | | | process for their particular situation is being used. |