FAQs

Log Surface Preparation Questions | Log Staining Questions | Log Chinking & Log Caulking Questions | Log Preservation Questions

General Questions About Log Home Construction Supplies:

Are Sashco Log Home Products environmentally safe?

Yes. Sashco’s log home product line is made in compliance with the relevant environmental regulations.

Why is it necessary to stain my logs?

1.) Uncoated wood darkens and degrades very quickly when it is left unprotected against the sun and elements.
2.) Coatings help prevent mold, mildew and rot from occurring by repelling moisture from the surface of the wood.
3.) Chinking and caulking materials are more prone to failure because they are less likely to form a good bond to the surface of the wood.

Can I just use a clear coating to protect my logs?

No. Clear coatings do not provide long-lasting protection from ultra violet light.

What are the proper steps for finishing my log home?

1.) Prep the surface of your logs.
2.) Apply a wood preservative such as Penetreat.
3.) Apply the stain material to your logs such as Capture/Cascade, High Sierra or Transformation.
4.) Install backer rod.
5.) Apply caulking or chinking material such as Log Builder, Conceal, Log Jam or Chinker’s Edge.

How do I get the color of stain that I want on my log home?

1.) Order several samples of stain.
2.) Mix these samples up very well prior to sampling.
3.) Test the samples out on a large area and use the same number of coats and application technique as you plan on using for the actual application process.
5.) Verify the stain color is correct during the initial stages of stain application.
6.) “Box” all pails of stain.
7.) Periodically stir the pails of stain during the application process.

Do I have to fill all the tiny cracks that exist on the exterior of my log home?

Seal any check that is ¼ inch or greater.

What can I do in the planning stage of my log home to minimize maintenance?

1.) Locate your home on a site that affords some protection from the elements.
2.) Construct roof overhangs that are 2-3 feet wide.
3.) Keep the bottom course of logs at least 18 inches above the ground.
4.) Find a log home supplier who uses a good design for the joints between his logs.
5.) Apply a wood preservative to the logs.
6.) Make sure that the exterior finishing products are compatible with each other.
7.) Make sure that the wood is clean and dry before any finishing products are applied.

General Log Home Questions | Log Staining Questions | Log Chinking & Log Caulking Questions | Log Preservation Questions

Log Surface Preparation Questions

What is the best way to get the stain off my log home?

We recommend corn cob blasting because it is non-toxic and does a very good job of removing stains and cleaning logs. Additionally, interior water damage is not a problem because no water is used during the process.

What is corn blasting?

Corncob blasting is similar to traditional sand blasting but is less destructive to the surface of the wood because the ground corn cob media is less abrasive.

What concerns should I have about power washing my log home?

Power washing can create an undesirable surface texture which can be described as a felting and fuzzing effect. It is necessary to take precautions to protect the interior of your home from water damage prior to the process. Once the process is complete, you must allow the logs to dry before applying any stain.

How can I clean water stains from my logs?

Bleaching products can often reduce or remove discolorations.
Recommendation: Test the different types of bleach in the following order: sodium percarbonate, household chlorine bleach and then oxalic acid.

Why should I use CPR instead of bleach?

CPR is a sodium percarbonate cleaner that is safe and effective to use.

How do I tell if my logs are dry enough to stain?

Use a moisture meter prior to the application of any finishing products. The moisture content of the logs should be below 20%.

General Log Home Questions | Log Surface Preparation Questions | Log Chinking & Log Caulking Questions | Log Preservation Questions

Log Staining Questions

How often do I need to restain my log home?

A good stain should last between 2-3 years on the southern exposure of the home and 3-4 years on the other sides of the home.

What is the difference between oil based stain and water based stain?

Oil based stains have a strong odor, are user friendly, produce a natural looking finish and require the use of solvents during the clean-up process. Water based stain products are environmentally friendly but can be difficult to apply.

What steps should I take before staining my log home?

1.) Make sure your logs are clean and sound.
2.) Make sure the surface temperature of the logs are between 50-90 degrees.
3.) Make sure the weather forecast is dry for two days during the staining process and dry for a two days after the staining process.
4.) Make sure the moisture content of the wood is below 20% prior to the staining process.
5.) Make sure that you don’t have any compatibility problems with any previously applied coatings.
6.) Read all of the application guidelines for the stain material that is being applied.
7.) Recommendation: Use a sprayer to flood the surface of the logs with the stain material and then immediately back brush the stain into the pores of the wood.

Do Sashco’s stains contain a mildewcide?

Yes. All of Sashco’s stain products have a standard amount of mildewcide in them. We recommend adding an additional mildewcide packet if you live in an area that is prone to high humidity and high temperatures. We sell a mildewcide additive called Stayclean I/E.

Can I use Sashco’s Capture or High Sierra stain products on the interior of my log home?

Yes. Both products may be used on the interior, but Sashco suggests top-coating both High Sierra and Capture with Symphony for added protection from cleaners.

How many coats of Sashco's Capture should I apply?

Two HEAVY coats of Capture Log Stain are recommended.

How many coats of Cascade should I apply?

One coat of Cascade is recommended after the Capture stain has been applied.

Is the UV protection in the stain or clear coat?

The stain has a combination of pigments and UV-absorbers while the clear coat only has UV-absorbers.

How do I tell when I need to reapply Cascade?

The loss of sheen or variations in sheen is an indication that another coat of Cascade should be applied to your home.

General Log Home Questions | Log Surface Preparation Questions | Log Staining Questions | Log Preservation Questions

Log Chinking & Log Caulking Questions

What is the difference between chinking and caulking materials?

Chinking is an elastic sealing material that has a coarse surface which is designed to look like old-fashioned mortar and is typically used on larger joints. Caulking is a highly elastic sealing material that has no surface texture and is mainly used in smaller joints.

Should I chink or stain my log home first?

It is best to apply a stain that is compatible with the chinking first. The stain acts as a primer for the chinking and normally improves the overall adhesion of the chinking material. Additionally, it makes the clean up process for the chinking material much easier.

What type of tool should I use in order to apply my chinking or caulking material?

Most applicators use foam brushes. Others use steel or plastic trowels.

Do I need to chink or caulk my log home?

At some point you will probably need to caulk or chink your log home.

What do I do to my chink when it’s time to re-stain?

It is difficult to keep maintenance coats of stain off the existing chinking material. The stain can be brushed on by hand in an attempt to keep it off the chinking, but this can be very time consuming. Another option is to spray over top of the chinking material and then come back over the existing chinking material with a product called Brushover. This product is a textured, elastomeric coating that is available in the same colors as Log Jam chinking. Simply paint over the chink line to restore the original color of the chinking.

Can I stain overtop of the chinking and caulking on my home?

Yes. Sashco’s Capture, High Sierra and Transformation stains will wet-out and adhere to most chinking and caulking products.

Do I need to maintain my chinking material?

No. If the chinking material is properly installed, there should be very little maintenance work down the road.

How do I fix my chinking or caulking if it is torn?

The entire process is rather easy. Begin with a clean surface. Gun the new chinking material over the torn area, and tool the new chinking material onto the old chinking material. The old and new chinking material should bond together.
Note: This situation usually occurs because of an improper application or because a few large logs have settled.

General Log Home Questions | Log Surface Preparation Questions | Log Staining Questions | Log Chinking & Caulking Questions

Log Preservation Questions

How long should I wait after applying PeneTreat before I can stain?

The moisture content of the wood must be below 20%. Two days is usually enough time for the PeneTreat to dry before applying stain in a warm and dry climate.

What are the little white, sparkly crystals on my logs after I applied PeneTreat? How do I get rid of them?

The whitish micro-flakes are just the crystallized PeneTreat material. Brush them off with a stiff broom before you apply any stain material. Wear eye and respiratory protection when brushing the crystals from the wood.

What does Penetreat prevent?

PeneTreat controls wood-destroying fungi that actually cause rot. PeneTreat also helps control many wood boring insects that are killed when they ingest the treated wood. Penetreat does not prevent mildew.

What should I use to prevent mildew?

We recommend a stain additive called Stayclean I/E.

What should I use to prevent crawling insects?

We recommend a stain additive called BugJuice.

What can I do about blue stain?

It is nearly impossible to completely remove established blue stain. We recommend first trying Sashco’s CPR product and then chlorine bleach. Important: Make sure that the above products are thoroughly rinsed from the surface before applying any coatings over them.

What can I do about Carpenter Bees?

We recommend sprinkling Sevin dust in the carpenter bee holes and then plugging them with a sealant material such as Conceal or Log Builder. It is a time consuming project, but it is the only process that we have found that works. Note: Most surface insecticides are not effective for carpenter bees because carpenter bees do not ingest the wood as they are boring into it.