Re-stain my log house

sparky1 · April 02, 2011, 09:55:55 AM

I dont know where i should post this, so i figured here is as good as any. My question is this. I want to re-stain my log house this summer. I have a lot of questions and no answers. I bought this house 3 years ago, and its probably going on 5 years since it was last stained. I live in southern wisconsin, so there are extreme temp changes. we can go from up to 100 in the summer to -30ish in the winter. so i need a stain thats good in both.

well my first question is, what do i have to do to prep my house to re-stain? do i just buy like a wash and spray on and spray off?? If so what works? Now i noticed on the side that the house gets the most sun, the top of the logs are discolerd (blackish). Im assuming this is from the sun beating down on them. the rest of the house isnt to bad. Some spots have a little greeenish algae but i think that i will wash off.

my next question is what is a good stain brand name?? i dont wanna break the bank, but i want a good looking job.

Id love to hire this done, because i hate painting, staining. I dont know of anyone in southern wisconsin who does this. if anyone can lead me in the right direction on any of these questions that would be great!!

thanks,

Burlkraft · April 02, 2011, 10:01:56 AM

Hey Sparky....

I have the same problem. It's been waaay too long since I have stained mine.

It's hard to find anybody in this area who will do one and knows what they are doing.

Mine was finished with bee's wax and linseed oil. We had to pressure wash it a couple of times and then stain.

I went with an oil based amber color last time. This time I think I am going to use and oil based solid color like cedar.

I want it to be lighter in color this time.

When you are done with yours let me know and you can do mine too! :D :D

red oaks lumber · April 02, 2011, 10:50:16 AM

we used sikkens brand stain/sealer its more money but, willlast longer. 5 years and still looks like day one

Autocar · April 02, 2011, 12:42:01 PM

My sister after staining brushes some kind of clear coat that is like a varnish but much thicker there place looks as good as the day the logs were brought there.

Jeff · April 02, 2011, 03:56:20 PM

power wash with bleach/water solution, then use sikkens.

breederman · April 02, 2011, 04:01:40 PM

sikkins is what most people are using around here I have been using CWF but because that is what was recommended 20 years ago, but after talking to my kit manufacturer I think I will change next time.

Jeff · April 02, 2011, 06:17:56 PM

You can use commercial deck wash or about a cup of regular bleach per gallon of water,

We use sikkens on everything around here

sparky1 · April 02, 2011, 09:30:27 PM

I love how that looks Jeff. I read in a couple places where using a pressure washer will get water into the interior of the house, and then possibly mold issues. just curious if thats a big concern? i have a half log house, where i can in some places see the styrafoam directly behind the logs. theres no chincking or caulk between them. i just dont wanna open a bigger can of worms than i already have. Some people were tellin me to use a corn cob blaster, but i can not locate a rental place in my area that has one, and there 1000 plus to purchase one. I do like your idea the best, if its not gonna create a mold issue.

I was leanin towards the sikens stain before, i think ive been steered there for good. Is there a good website to buy it off of, price wise? or is it a big box item that is easily purchased?

LAZERDAN · April 02, 2011, 09:45:18 PM

American Building Restoration Products - Franklin, Wisconsin If you want any info these people can help. They even may know someone to do the work. www.abrp.com Our building is next to thiers they have been in business a long time. Just my 2 cents

Jeff · April 02, 2011, 09:49:09 PM

never say it in big box stores, We get it at ace hardware stores around here. I am sure it has probably went up since we last bought some two years ago. Around $35 a gallon, by the gallon, and $135 by 5 gallon pail.

I would think you want to power wash when the weather is warm dry and stable. Same as when you would stain. Blasting with corn cobs is definitely more effective, but pricey.

LAZERDAN · April 02, 2011, 10:01:28 PM

nam.sikkens.com/about-sikkens.cfm I used ABR in the outside of the house and sik kens on the inside per the lumber yard folks Both not cheap dates. Lazerdan www.nam.sikkens.com

1938farmall · April 03, 2011, 08:39:16 AM

You want to be careful if you try corn cob blasting. We had some Amish do it and the logs are now all pock-marked, Looks like someone used the logs as a pattern board for 12ga. fine shot. just sayin'.........

blue mtn · April 03, 2011, 11:37:21 AM

I,ve been using Weatherseal by Continental Products. I am very happy with the finish,it lets the grain of the wood show through. I have also used it on a couple of customers homes. It contains borate ,which helps preserve your logs. I would be happy to look at your home and see what it needs. I,m located just west of Madison.P.M. me . Let me know if you have any questions .Take care ,Dan

beenthere · April 03, 2011, 04:31:35 PM

I'd follow Jeff's advice and wash with the bleach solution to get rid of the mildew (black that you described) and the algae. I'd be careful with any power wash, as a good brushing and rinsing of the bleach solution will work, and you are less likely to force water in between the logs where it is hard to dry up (and being dry is important before applying the sikkens).

Check at the local hardware stores for a lead on locals that are into outside painting. It is a tough business if one is a painter, as the weather can play the devils role when trying to schedule jobs. Much easier to be an inside painter and not have to worry about the weather (or tall ladders and scaffolding). ;)

sparky1 · April 03, 2011, 10:09:57 PM

so this whole bleech solution. how do I apply it? just brush it on?

Jeff · April 03, 2011, 10:19:05 PM

most power washers have soap dispensers or pick up tubes.

sparky1 · April 03, 2011, 10:48:40 PM

cool.. thanks everyone for all the great advice!! this is a great forum, glad i ran across it!! im sure i will have many more questions...

I do have one, kinda off the subject. whats the best way to get rid of Bats in the attic?? the builders didnt make the soffet a supper tight fit, need less to say i have bats.. any good ideas. preferably legal ones!!! ;D

breederman · April 04, 2011, 06:39:27 AM

I just use a pump up garden sprayer to apply the bleach then rinse with a garden hose.

dovetails · April 04, 2011, 06:57:31 AM

whats the best way to get rid of Bats in the attic?? the builders didnt make the soffet a supper tight fit, need less to say i have bats.. any good ideas. preferably legal ones!!!

Bats leave at night to feed,when they go out,just staple some screen over the holes they use,so they can't get back in. They will go elsewhere. Ya might want to make and put up some Bat "Houses", They eat a lot of bugs every night! I get a flock of them in my shop now and then, about 30-40 of them hanging from the wafer board roof. Other than the mess under them,I don't mind them at all, no mosquitos for a few days,till they decide I disturb their sleep to much,and they leave.

sbishop · April 05, 2011, 08:34:20 AM

Jeff,

Which product from Sikkens did you use on your place? Cetol Log &Siding?

They seem to have 4-5 products for log siding!

Thanks
Sbishop

Jeff · April 05, 2011, 09:12:26 AM

I'll find out for sure when tammy gets here. I can't reach due to the cling, but we have a couple gallons on the shelf in the closet so we can find out for sure exactly what it is.

sbishop · April 05, 2011, 09:32:30 AM

I was going to start the same thread today as i need to get cabin stained this spring!

Thanks Jeff and everyone for their input.

i'm still not sure which one i will be using but it will be either Sikkens or CWF (flood). I've seen CWF in action as i know Pappy has it on his cabin. I'm suppose to visit him this weekend so i'll report back on how well the CWF has helded up.

Sbishop

moosehunter · April 05, 2011, 10:25:00 AM

This is a great thread. I am wondering if it should/ could be moved to the log home section so it can be found in the future easier?

mh

Jeff · April 05, 2011, 07:37:24 PM

knowslittle · April 05, 2011, 11:51:14 PM

I agree with all of the above. I found the Cetol Log and Siding Natural more to my likeing. I don't use it on a log house, but on clear cedar siding on a house in Wa., and it works great.
Applied it (and the bleach) with garden sprayer. If I remember correctly, you can't let the bleach solution dry before rinsing. Temperature during stain application is somewhat critical, as stated before.

As maintenence, I use Sikken's maintenence product (forgot it's name). Have to apply it more often, much less work than the Log and Siding, but doesn't cumulatively darken the siding like multiple coats of the Log and Siding.

Dovetails- can't say I have any advice on how to get rid of the bats, but do know there is an easy way to get them out of the house at night should one leave a door open. Simply shut off all lights inside the house, turn on the exterior porch light and leave the door wide open. They head towards the exterior light.