My site:
http://restoration-hardware-coupon.com
For those who have owned a log house for any length of time, I assume it could be secure to say that you could conclude, log houses are fairly high maintenance. If you are thinking of buying a log residence or simply purchased a single, you could possibly be in for a surprise. Not necessarily a bad surprise, perhaps much more like an awakening.
Restoring a log property typically consists of cleaning or stripping, repairing damaged wood, caulking and chinking and applying a new finish. At some point, simply because of stain failure or wanting to transform the color of the log house, it is going to have to be stripped. Of each of the maintenance procedures, stripping the old stain or paint off of your house is undoubtedly essentially the most aggressive, labor intensive and expensive step. With that becoming stated, it's totally essentially the most important, but oftentimes probably the most neglected step in the approach.
The standard stripping procedure starts with an inspection from the logs along with the current coating. As soon as an assessment continues to be made, it's going to be determined which stripping application will be utilised. You will find two methods normally used; chemical stripping and media blasting using crushed corn cob, glass or soda.
If it truly is determined that a latex paint or stain or certain kinds of "film forming" oil based stains have to be removed, media blasting is our preferred approach. If it is determined that penetrating oil stains or sealers are present, chemical stripping is utilised.
Media blasting is equivalent to sand blasting, but is non-abrasive. Compressed air mixed with blasting media (usually corn cob) is pushed by means of a hose at high velocity and directed in the log surface. When used effectively, paint could be removed from glass without damaging the glass. In log home restoration, it's an efficient indicates of removing the finish without damaging the substrate. Utilised improperly, you'll be able to quickly damage anything it may are available in make contact with with.
When removing a finish, safety is with the utmost importance. Proper ear, face and physique protection is essential too as correct staging to function from. The discharge hose is fairly huge and heavy so scaffolding works much better than ladders. At increased elevations, safety ropes and physique harnesses are also required.
Just before the cob blasting starts particular precautions are taken. Because every log residence leaks to some degree, (never ever worked on a single that didn't) plastic is used to contain dust on the inside of the property. On the outside, vents, receptacles, heat & A/C units and other areas are covered. Also, porch and deck furniture will either be covered or removed to protect from dust infiltration. At this point the coating removal can begin.
Once the operator is in position, a ground man will load the machine with the media and engage the air compressor. The operator will begin stripping making use of a wide sweeping then lifting motion so as not to gouge the wood on the return pass. Starting in the top, one section at a time will likely be completely stripped before moving to the next section. When 1 side with the residence if finished, staging is going to be moved and also the approach will start again until all coatings have been removed. Depending on the homeowner's preference and the final overall look, it could be necessary to sand the logs to reduce the profile to obtain the desired finish. As soon as sanding is completed, the media blasting (stripping) process is finished and the next step inside the log residence restoration can begin.
The other approach used, chemical stripping, involves applying a liquid stripping agent to the logs. Care must be taken on the interior from the residence since from the possibility of water infiltration. Plastic tarps are placed around the inside perimeter with the home and cloth towels laid on top of the tarps. Furniture and wall hangings are removed and safely stored out from the work space area. Outside with the home all plants, shrubs, deck furniture, and other items are covered and protected from overspray. Porch lamps, ceiling fans, vents, receptacles and other items are covered or removed and stored in a safe location.
At this point the stripping method can begin. After determining a appropriate mix ratio, the chemical is applied spraying an even coat on the logs starting in the bottom and working up to prevent streaking. A predetermined dwell time is allotted to allow sufficient time to loosen and dissolve the coating. Once the coating has softened a pressure washer is employed to dislodge and remove it from the surface. Starting in the top and working down, the pressure washer operator, just as in cob blasting, uses a long sweeping motion while raising the nozzle away from the wood at the end of each sweep. This prevents leaving stop marks and gouges on the logs. With each pass, the operator will slightly overlap the previous sweep assuring an efficient and clean strip. Special care is utilized around windows, doors, soffit vents and other sensitive spots so as not to push water in unwanted areas. While the stripping is taking place on the outside, my wife is monitoring the within for water leaks. If any are detected, they are wiped up immediately and tagged with a piece of tape. Later within the log house restoration, during the caulking or chinking procedure, the tagged leaking areas are identified and repaired as needed.
After all woodwork continues to be stripped, 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 using squeegees. Tarps, plastic and towels are removed, furniture and other items are put in their proper places and stain residue and debris is swept up, bagged and disposed of.
The stripping is finished and the logs and woodwork are clean and free of any coatings. Most stain manufactures require that prior to applying any finish, the logs must be clean bare wood, free of previous coatings, oils, grease and mill glaze before any warranty will be honored. Stripping is the only way to meet all of these requirements proving the value of this approach.
Preparation is one particular in the keys to sealer performance. Suitable stripping technique is the first key to preparation. Log property restoration is a process and shortcuts lead to short comings. Do it right the first time by utilizing correct maintenance procedures and quality products and you WILL extend the life of one's log home finish.