Staining

Staining Your Log Home

Choosing the right stain and maintaining your log home are critical to preserving its beauty and longevity. Here are the key points to consider:

Selecting the Right Stain

Use Stain Made for Log Homes:

Choose a high-quality stain specifically designed for log homes. It must withstand temperature-related expansion and contraction without cracking or peeling.

Avoid Paint:

Paint traps moisture, preventing the logs from "breathing," which can lead to long-term issues like rot.

Skip Oil-Based Stains:

These don't allow logs to breathe effectively and can cause complications over time.

Consider Reliable Brands:

Life Line by Perma Chink is a proven product with excellent durability when properly applied and maintained.

Maintenance Tips

Touch-Up Coats:

Most stains require a maintenance or clear coat every few years. Avoid oil-based stains with color in their maintenance coats, as they can darken the logs with repeated applications.

Annual Cleaning:

Wash your log home once a year to remove dirt, dust, and sap:

Use a product like Log Wash with low-pressure application.
For stubborn spots, gently scrub with a soft brush.
If using a power washer, mist with water lightly and maintain a safe distance to avoid damaging the finish.

Taking these steps will help your log home maintain its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity for years to come. Proper care and the right products can make all the difference!

Log Home Staining Prep Checklist

1. Prepping for the First Stain

Inspect & Smooth Surfaces:

Sand or smooth out rough patches or splinters leftover from construction.
New construction will need to be lightly sanded or Osborn brushed to remove the mill glaze from the logs prior to staining.

Clean the Logs:

Wash logs using a product like Log Wash to remove dirt, sawdust, and debris.

Apply Borate Treatment:

Choose a borate product based on your needs:

Powdered Borates: Great for bug prevention but less effective for rot.
Pre-Mixed Borates: Balanced protection against both rot and insects.
Glycol-Based Borates: Offers deep wood penetration; requires up to 2 weeks to dry.

Apply generously until the solution runs off the logs.
Allow adequate drying time based on product instructions.

2. Removing Old Finishes

Avoid Power Washing:

Power washing can force water into the wood, causing future issues like mildew.

Choose Corn Cob Blasting:

Effective for stripping old finishes without adding moisture.
Hire professionals for best results and to avoid damage.

Spot Treating (if necessary):

Areas with worn or dry finishes will need to be lightly sanded and blended in with stain.
Avoid areas where the finish is intact to maintain even results.

3. Selecting the Perfect Stain

Choose Your Stain Type:

Semi-Transparent Stains: Show off wood grain; darker stains resist sun damage better.
Solid Color Latex Stains: Affordable, durable, and breathable (e.g., Sherwin Williams Woodscapes). It looks like a flat paint, but you cannot see the wood grain through it like a semi-transparent stain.

Test Your Stain:

Apply to a small area or test sample to ensure satisfaction with color and finish.

4. Addressing Water and Pest Issues

Waterproofing:

Inspect logs for water intrusion points and seal as needed.

Pest Prevention:

Apply borate treatments if not done earlier (this can only be applied to bare clean wood). Also, it should only be applied every 8 to 10 years.
Consider additional pest control methods based on your location.

Quick Summary

Prepare the Surface: Sand rough spots and clean the logs with a product like Log Wash.
Apply Borate Treatment: Use powdered, pre-mixed, or glycol-based solutions for insect and rot protection.
Strip Old Finishes: Opt for corn cob blasting for clean, dry logs; avoid power washing.
Pick the Right Stain: Go for semi-transparent or solid color latex stains, testing them first for color satisfaction.
Solve Issues: Address water leaks and apply pest-preventing treatments where necessary.

Products We Use & Recommend

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