Well, the log home refinishing and stain season has definitely come to an end. If you got your project done this summer, you can rest assured that your log home is protected. If your project got put off to next year, that’s OK too.
Don't do the blasting if you can't get the stain on it soon after.
It’s never too early to start thinking about the process of protecting your logs from the elements. There are always several steps in this process. Preparation is by far the most important and difficult to get right. Getting the surface of your logs ready to accept a stain may involve blasting off old, deteriorated finish, cleaning the logs with oxygen bleach or simply washing them with a garden hose. It all depends on the condition of your logs.
When the logs are “raw” after blasting, we recommend applying a borate treatment to protect the logs against future rot. The final step in log home refinishing is applying a quality log home stain to the logs to protect them from the elements, including UV protection. Read on to learn more about different choices in stains, their advantages and disadvantages.
Darkened stain - before blasting
Log home stains are continually evolving and improving. Some stains that “in there day” were considered to be top-of-line have not stood the test of time. Certainly the improvements made are steps in the right direction. That said, I wish I could say that there is a “bullet-proof stain” as far as log home stains go but in our experience – there isn’t.
So what we look for are the good stains vs. the ones to stay away from. Our 30+ years of experience in the log home restoration business have resulted in a body of knowledge about refinishing and in particular – what type of stain to recommend to our customers.
After blasting and new stain applied
Once the all-important preparation is done, we recommend an application of what is generically called a “stain finish”. These are essentially a combination of three ingredients: UV blockers, a waterproofing sealant and finely ground pigments. From this combination we get a finish that protects the logs from the sun, the rain and keeps them looking good.
Pigments – People often ask me why the stains need pigment? The answer is that the pigments are also part of what constitutes the UV protection. They act somewhat like sunglasses for your building, protecting the waterproofing from breaking down in UV light. This need for pigment is evidenced by the fact that “clear” stains (even from the known “good” stain companies) don’t usually carry ANY warrantee.
UV protection – Simply put – UV protection protects the logs by blocking the sunlight’s ability to break down the waterproofing capability of the finish itself. The UV blocker and the pigment are basically in service to this waterproofing sealant.
Waterproofing – The polymers in the stain’s base make it water repellant. The sealants ability to are protect the logs from water is the number one way to stave off rot. The stain’s water repellency is susceptible to breakdown by UV light and that is why pigments and UV protection (mentioned above) in combination with waterproofing create the “trifecta” of protection for your log home
Log home refinishing is not about just for the aesthetics of how your log home looks. It is first and foremost your best “insurance” against problems with rot down the road.
RELATED LINKS AND TIPS ON LOG HOME REPAIR
Preparation done right
Advantages of borate preservative
A featured project of blasting and finishing
Improper flashing between decks and walls allows debris to collect, which holds moisture up against the logs and eventually can cause rot. 
No log should project beyond the edge of the roof. Any crown (corner) or purlin that extends beyond the drip line of the roof should be trimmed and refinished to help prevent rot.
