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Interior log prep

Many of our interior logs were heavily damaged by rain and snow before the roof was finished, and now it's time to get them cleaned up and stained. We had initially intended to simply sand the logs, but now we see we should clean them first. We're having a hard time figuring out how to rinse thoroughly. This process sounds like one great big mess. any ideas on how to minimize the mess and water everywhere?

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Permalink Reply by CharisB on May 21, 2009 at 10:56am: Meg -

Sanding with Osborn brushes or an 80 grit sand paper should do the trick so long as you don't have any mold or mildew growing. However, if that still won't do it, you could try using some 35% hydrogen peroxide (available online and sometime at Sam's Club or Costco). You simply apply it to the damaged areas, allow it to dry thoroughly, then go through and sand - no rinsing necessary. You DO have to be very careful using such a product, as it can chemically burn skin. Wear proper face protection and skin protection, as well as grubby clothes that you won't mind getting ruined if there's some splash back.

Hope that helps. Thanks!

-- Charis with Sashco; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Meg Butler on July 5, 2009 at 12:35pm: Hi Charis...

I tried a Buffy Pad on the logs and it worked well where the water damage is very light. But where the damage is heavy there are still stains. Also, I can't get into the corners or where the logs meet (Swedish cove) with the Buffy Pad. Will the Osborn brush get into the corners? I'm still looking for 35% hydrogen peroxide from a reputable retailer.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CharisB on July 7, 2009 at 1:07pm: Hi, Meg. Sorry it took me a while to respond - I was out of town.

Those corners are a bit of a conundrum, aren't they? On Swedish cope, we usually recommend you just hand sand those hard to reach spots. Sometimes a dremmel tool will reach into those corners pretty good. The osborn brushes will do about the same job as the buffy pads reaching into the corners. As for the areas where there is more significant damage, the hydrogen peroxide combined with finish sanding should do the trick. Try this website out: http://www.dfwx.com/h2o2.htm. This is where we usually get product fast.

Hope that helps!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee & Sondra Kraley on July 5, 2009 at 12:58pm: We had our logs sandblasted (interior and exterior) by the same fella that did the insect treatment and the staining. We did it shortly after the roof was on but BEFORE the windows were in. We protected from weather and inadvertent stain spray by putting sheets of house wrap in the window openings (our outside stain is DARK...inside is clear). This also protected from potential weather problems in the few days we had between blasting/staining and installation of windows. I'll find some pictures...I know I have a bunch...and post them for you. :o); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eric Latocki on February 8, 2010 at 12:38am: I had a similar project and I found sanding was the easiest solution. Using a random orbit sander with a vacuum attached to the outlet sure helped me. You might want to get the mouse style sander with the pointy nose for hard to reach inner grooves.

eric @ LogFrogs.com; ▶ Reply to This

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