If you have been a log home owner for any length of time, I think it would be safe to say that you could conclude that log homes are fairly high maintenance. If you are thinking of buying a log home or have just bought one, you may be in for a surprise. Not necessarily a bad surprise, maybe more like an awakening.
Restoring a log home typically includes cleaning or stripping, repairing damaged wood, caulking and chipping, and refinishing. At some point, due to stain failure or wanting to change the color of your log home, it will have to be stripped. Of all the maintenance procedures, removing stain or old paint from your home is undoubtedly the most aggressive, labor-intensive, and expensive step. That being said, it is absolutely the most important, but often the most neglected step in the process.
The typical stripping procedure begins with an inspection of the logs and existing siding. Once the evaluation is done, it will be determined which stripping application to use. Two methods are generally used; chemical pickling and shot blasting with crushed corn cob, glass or soda.
If it is determined that a latex paint or stain or certain types of “film forming” oil-based stains need to be removed, our preferred method is blast cleaning. If it is determined that oil stains or penetrating sealers are present, a chemical stripper is used.
Media blasting is similar to sandblasting, but is not abrasive. Compressed air mixed with blasting media (usually corn cobs) is pushed through a hose at high velocity and directed to the surface of the log. When used correctly, paint can be removed from glass without damaging it. In log home restoration, it is an effective means of removing finish without damaging the substrate. Used incorrectly, it can quickly damage anything it comes in contact with.
When removing a finish, safety is of the utmost importance. Adequate ear, face and body protection is necessary, as is proper staging for work. The discharge hose is quite large and heavy, so scaffolding works much better than ladders. At higher elevations, lanyards and body harnesses are also needed.
Before ear blasting begins, certain precautions are taken. Because every log house leaks to some degree, (never worked on one that didn’t) plastic is used to contain dust inside the house. Outside, vents, receptacles, heating and air conditioning units, and other areas are covered. In addition, porch and deck furniture will be covered or removed to protect from dust infiltration. At this point coating removal can begin.
Once the operator is in position, a ground man will load the machine with media and activate the air compressor. The operator will begin stripping using a wide sweeping motion and then lifting so as not to gouge the wood on the return pass. Starting at the top, he will completely remove one section at a time before moving on to the next section. When one side of the house is finished, the stage will be moved and the process will begin again until all siding has been removed. Depending on owner preference and final overall appearance, logs may need to be sanded to reduce profile and achieve the desired finish. Once the sanding is complete, the shot blasting (stripping) process is finished and the next step in log home restoration can begin.
The other method used, chemical stripping, involves applying a liquid stripping agent to the logs. Care must be taken with the interior of the house due to the possibility of water leaks. Plastic tarps are placed around the inside perimeter of the house and cloth towels are placed on top of the tarps. Furniture and rugs are safely removed and stored outside of the work area. Outside the house, all plants, shrubs, deck furniture, and other items are covered and protected from overspray. Porch light fixtures, ceiling fans, vents, receptacles, and other items are covered or removed and stored in a secure location.
At this point you can start the peeling process. After determining the proper mix ratio, the chemical is applied by spraying an even coat onto the logs starting at the bottom and working up to avoid streaking. A predetermined residence time is assigned to allow sufficient time to loosen and dissolve the coating. Once the coating has softened, a pressure washer is used to dislodge and remove it from the surface. Starting at the top and working downward, the pressure washer operator, similar to cob blasting, uses a long sweeping motion while lifting the nozzle away from the wood at the end of each sweep. This avoids leaving stop marks and gouges on the logs. With each pass, the operator will slightly overlap the previous sweep ensuring an efficient and clean strip. Special care is taken around windows, doors, soffit vents, and other sensitive spots so as not to push water into unwanted areas. While the stripping is taking place on the outside, my wife is monitoring the inside for any water leaks. If any are detected, she is immediately cleaned and labeled with a piece of masking tape. Later in the log home restoration, during the caulking or cracking process, tagged leaking areas are identified and repaired as necessary.
After all the woodwork is removed, the house is rinsed to remove any remaining stain and wood fibers. Decks, porches, windows and doors, driveways and patios, foundations, as well as plants and shrubs are washed and glass is dried streak-free with squeegees. Tarps, plastic, and towels are removed, furniture and other items are placed in their proper places, and stain residue and debris are swept, bagged, and disposed of.
The stripping is complete and the logs and woodwork are clean and free of any coating. Most stain manufacturers require that before any finish is applied, logs must be clean of bare wood, free of previous coatings, oils, greases, and factory glaze before any warranty will be honored. Pickling is the only way to meet all of these requirements, which shows the importance of this process.
Preparation is one of the keys to sealing performance. Proper peeling technique is the first key to preparation. Restoration of log houses is a process, and shortcuts lead to shortcomings. Do it right the first time by using proper maintenance procedures and quality products and you will extend the life of your log home finish.