Log homes are unique, each one, even those that come from kits out of a catalog are different. Every lot they’re built on usually requires some modification and every owner will want to put their own touch to the finished “look” of it.

We were no different and made a few changes before construction began.

In the spring of 1988 construction was completed enough we could now have Family Getaways at our Pocono Log Home.

It was spectacular, everyone loved it and we couldn't wait to use it

We chose to keep the logs “natural” applying just a clear coat of preservative. This resulted in a Golden Yellow Glow of the pine logs that projected a warm welcome to everyone. We all felt safe and secure inside this solid structure, even during the worst storms that Mother Nature would throw against it.

Just as other home exteriors need upkeep, so do log homes. Over time, even with a UV blocking agent, weather and exposure from the sun changes the color from that original golden yellow to a darker amber. In a few years you’ll notice it looks a bit “dull” then a hint of gray begins to appear on several logs.

That’s the 1st clue you need to apply a fresh coat of preservative.

On our cabin, that was about 5 yrs. after construction. A very quick and light use of a pressure washer was all it needed to prep the logs for their 1st re-treatment of the oil based preservative. We bought 6 gallons of the same product the builder used, applied it with a garden sprayer and brushed it smooth. It had a sun activated additive and UV protection that transformed the dull logs nearly back to the original golden tone. (BTW it only needed 5 gals.)

The key word here is “nearly”

For the next 2 cycles, (about every 4-5 years), we’d lightly pressure washed the logs, let it dry and applied the same oil base product. Results were mostly the same as the sun activated the additive and restored the logs to a nice golden yellow. The whole exterior looked fresh and clean. It needs to be said that after each cycle the logs exhibited just a slight darker amber tone. Very nice but not really back to the original golden yellow "Glow”.

By the spring of 2001 it was time for another treatment, our 3rd. But the PC Police had taken control and all oil-based paints and stains were no longer available for purchase by the general public in PA and all adjacent States.

Calls to the manufacture were of no help. They had to discontinue selling oil-based products except to “Licensed Users”. They did developed a replacement product for the retail consumer and the sales rep assured me I'd be very satisfied with it by saying, “you’ll get the same results with the NEW & IMPROVED product”

Rule of life #1 – DON’T BELIEVE A SALESMAN!

New & improved meant it was a water-based alkyd product, "water clean-up made it easy", he said! My wife loved the soap and water clean-up aspects, I had my doubts.

Those doubts proved right. By the start of the 4th year after applying the "new and improved" preservative the logs were graying up considerably. Though it required more intense pressure washing to the logs, they cleaned off nicely and I applied the 2nd application of the water based product. The frequency of applications increased as the logs began to gray-up sooner than it did with the oil-based one, about every 3 to 4 years instead of 5. The water-based product not only didn't last as long, it also didn't have the same finished tone as the oil-based one. Though each application of the "new & improved" product did result with the exterior looking nice - Sort-of!

We repeated this process for next few cycles. Pressure washing increasingly took a little bit more time to clean the logs. Application of the “New & Improved” preservative was the same and produced the same results. Nice looking logs, but still not quite the tone we wanted.

New Grandchildren “required” long overnight visits to “help-out” the "new" parents. That, along with cold rainy weather, other family “stuff”, and older bones, caused one delay after another. Before we realized it, nearly 9 years has lapsed since the last time we refinished the exterior of Our Log Home Getaway.

It’s spring of 2018 and except for one corner water damage log needing repair, the others were all solid and as good as they were in 1988. But after nearly 9 years since the last treatment with the water-based preservative and exposed to a couple of harsh winters, those beautiful golden yellow pine logs, (now 3 decades old), were mostly an ugly dull chocolate brown with very dark corner extensions.

We all wanted , make that needed, the logs to be like they were in 1988.

We got 4 estimates from contractors

1 - Chemical cleaning and refinishing - $20,000.00 and probably not environmentally OK

2 - Sandblasting - $12,000.00, plus $3,000.00 refinishing, plus $1,500.00 for removal of sandblasted material and disposal. Total - $16,500.00

3 - Media blasting (bio-degradable walnut shells) and refinishing - $12,000.00

4 – Heavy power washing, re-sanding and refinishing - $12,000.00

After several family “discussions” we agreed, “we can probably do this ourselves!”

Sooooo, I called the manufacture of the preservative we had always used and found out that they still made the oil base product with the UV protective additive and supplied us with a list of their dealers that sell it to the general public. The problem is that the nearest recommended dealer was in Florida, and they didn't ship paints or stains.

Before a planned NJ to Fl. trip to pick up 8 gals., I made another Google search and found a supplier in Ohio that would ship directly but required a 12 gal. minimum….

TaDa - that’s a no-brainer! We ordered 12 gallons

In late April of 2018 I started the long overdue restoration of the logs. My intended plan was to complete it within 3 to 4 weeks working Monday to Thursday between weekend guests.

How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
This is the back wall before starting
.
How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
This is a detailed view of the log conditions, especially at the cabin’s corners

As it often happens, best intentions are not always met!

It rained on & off for the 1st 3 days – on day 4 the rain was steady and heavy..

How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
After the 1st week I knew it was gonna be a long 3 - 4 weeks
!


I worked on the logs whenever time and weather allowed. After several other interruptions I got as far as the whole back side and ½ of the front side completed….1 month after I started!

How I restored the exterior of our Log Home

May and June rentals were great, a couple full weeks and most every weekend were booked. Great for our bottom line, but resulting in few non-rented week days for pressure washing.

How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
By mid-July the back wall, front extension and the covered porch we’re cleaned down to the bare pine logs
.

It’s now almost August, I’m way behind my original schedule, but ready to start the back wall.

How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
2 days later it’s looking as good as the front and back side
s

After another 2 weeks of delays, all that remained were the exterior logs on the chimney side.

How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
2 days of ladder work and this side was ½ completed
.
How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
The difference between the left and right side was so dramatic
I had to take this pic
.

About 12 weeks from the start, (only about 14 actual days of power washing), the logs looked as they were in 1988.

How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
These pics shows the pressure washed logs before the application of the clear coat
.

Allowing the remaining days of the hot August sun to assure the logs were dry, I applied the clear coat with a garden sprayer and brushed them smooth , that only took 3 days.

Cost breakdown

$288.00 for 12 gals. oil based preservative w/ UV additive

$ 85.00 (approx.) 30 gals. of gas for the power washer

$ 38.00 new power washer gun/wand and nozzles

$ 25.00 garden sprayer and 5-inch brush

$ 18.00 - 3 gals. of Mineral Spirits

For a fraction of the estimates, our logs looked brand new. The golden yellow is back, and now that I know where to get the oil based preservative the logs are good for another few years….

Well, the logs will be, I’m still working-out a lot of stiff joints and muscles!

How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
This is the “New & Improved” product – clean-up is with Soap & Water
.
How I restored the exterior of our Log Home
This is the product I use, it is not an endorsement, simply the one I prefer. Clean-up is with Mineral Sprints
.



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Good job!

LikeReply
4 years ago

Looks great. We had to make a similar choice as to whether to treat exposed timber or not. I like the grey shade that wood turns to but I prefer the more golden hues.

LikeReply
4 years ago
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