Log Home Restoration Process

Step 1: Prepare the surface

There are many ways to prepare your log home before you begin the staining process. The key is cleaning the surface of any dirt, mildew, and existing stain on the log surface. This process is critical to create proper adhesion for the following steps. Some examples of popular methods used to do this are pressure washing, hand sanding, osborn brushing, and sandblasting. This step is critical as it sets the stage for the application of material to the logs and wood surfaces on your home. When done properly and effectively, this will set the stage to protect and beautify your log home. 

Step 2: Apply Borate "Board Defense"

Borate is a product that is mixed with water. Borate attacks existing and future mildew and wood-boring insects that could cause serious damage to your log home over time. When applied properly, borate penetrates deep into the pores of the wood material in your home and prevents and removes insects and mildew that are common in this kind of material. The proper application of this product is critical to protecting your log home for years to come.

This requires a minimum of 24 hours dry time in ideal application conditions. 

Step 3: Apply Base Coat "Colorfast"

Colorfast does a couple of important things. Colorfast strengthens the structural fibers in the wood and logs. In addition, Colorfast helps provide an even finish during the stain coat when applied properly. 

In ideal conditions, this is ready to take stain in about 2 hours. Must be dry before stain application. Colorfast is a water based product meant to be used with Capture and Cascade.

Step 4: Apply Stain "Capture" or "Transformation"

When applying stain you have two main choices. Water based or oil based are the two main options when applying stain to your log home or wood structure. If you have clean fresh wood with no evidence of previous stain, you can choose based on preference. If however, your house has remnant stain coating, it is best to use a similar base coating to what it on your house. (ie. Your log home has oil based stain on it. you should use oil based stain. Vice versa) 

Transformation is the oil based product you would want to use when staining. It is a stand alone product that does not require a base coat or a top coat. When applied properly this can leave your log home looking incredible.

Capture stain is the water based product you want to use when staining. When applied properly this can also leave your log home looking incredible. 

Both stain choices come in a variety of colors to help you attain the perfect look for your log home or wood structure. When applying either Capture or Transformation, it is critical that the product be back brushed with the grain of the wood. This provides even application and prevents and drips that can tarnish what could be an amazing final product. 

Both of these products provide UV protection to your log home and should dry for 24 hours minimum in ideal conditions before any addition applications. 

Step 5: Apply Protective Clear Coat "Cascade"

Cascade is a water based clear coat that comes in Semi-Gloss or Matte finishes. This seals and weather protects your wood structure from whatever weather you might experience throughout the seasons. When a log home is restored correctly, this is the only product that would be needed for maintenance in the future. Cascade really brings out the character in your log home in addition to protecting it. 

Step 6: Apply Chink "Log Jam" or "Conceal"

There are two primary locations where you would apply these products. One, the seams between your logs could be a point of gaps and air leaks. This creates heating inefficiency and can also invite unwanted critters into your home. Log Jam is the ideal product utilized to fill the spaces between logs on your log home, and it comes in a variety of colors to give you the exact look you have in mind. The second situation you would apply either of these products in, is when you have upward facing checks or cracks that are greater than 1/4 inch. It is important that these checks or cracks get filled with material to prevent water build up over the course of the year which could lead to mildew and rot inside the log that is very harmful. 

It is critical that backer rod be used to promote proper adhesion and flexibility when applying either of these materials. 

Step 7: Maintain the house.

You did it! Your house is restored. It looks beautiful. Now what? You get to enjoy it, but keep an eye on it. The sunny sides of your log home are prone to sun damage which can deteriorate all of your hard work. It is recommended to re-apply either transformation or a clear coat of cascade, depending on whether you are using an oil or water based system. In addition, to keeping up with re-applications, it is highly recommended to pressure wash your house once a year on a hot summer day to keep it clean and protect it from any build up on the logs which can lead to erosion.

It is a lot to take on restoring your log home or wood structure, but you can do it. And when you do it right using the right materials, it is going to turn out looking just absolutely fantastic. 

Best of luck in your endeavor!