stripping a log home

S

soluble solutions

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Has anyone ever been asked to strip a log home? We have cleaned several of these, but never been asked to completely strip the home. The problem (maybe) is that it has Thickens stain/sealer on it. I can't say that I've ever tried to strip thickens off before. I'm told that it can be very difficult. It was recommended to me that I use InStrip from Eacho Chem....for those of you with far more experience in this type of work than I, I would appreciate any feed back.

I can tell you that the would-be client says he's not concerned about the price as he is getting an "A+ job". I told him it's liable to get very, very expensive...he said that he wasn't really concerned about that...........apparently being a commercial airlines pilot pays better than powerwashing lol. He said he called us due to our reputation for doing things right and being meticulous in our work. I just don't want to go and screw this up. I'm looking to make a little money on this, but get an education at the same time too. I hate to pass on this job out of just being apprehensive ...we always enjoy a good challenge..I just don't want to get into trouble. I guess I'm looking for a product that I can do some test spots with and check our results.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Steve Cellar
Soluble Solutions, LLC
(419) 651-2793
 
Soda blasting is a great way to remove the old layers without harming the wood...you can rent these as well. The soda is also water soluble...so it is marketable with your name :grinning-moose:
 
We have a log cabin that we price to stripping / stainning what is going price to soda blast per sqft, seem like it will be the easier and safer way
 
Why would you use soda? If you're going to blast, you should at least look at ALL of the blast media available and the most popular/used types, and why. I'd just about guarantee that soda isn't on the list.
 
Ok Sorry, I have only chem strip before but lady doesn't want all the chems in her yard, the last guy who stained didn't take off the coat thats was on there before so there is two coats on . so help please , is corn cob better or walnut , is there anybody willing to take a phone call . I want to do this right
 
Sikkens is one of the hardest strips out there. I fully concur that blasting is a smart alternative to a chem strip.

Soda is used for many things, but particularly for removing automotive paint without harming the metal underneath. Most common (and least expensive) is cob or walnut shells for wood restoration. Most fun is dry ice, which blasts off anything and then evaporates. Most expensive media, I think, is glass bead - but I am not positive about that. Stick with corn cob or shells. Environmentally sound and effective.

That equipment is rent-able in every major city. You will need an air compressor (think big, like tow behind your truck compressor). Most places want you to buy the media from them. They should demonstrate how the equipment works before you leave the property. A quick Google of "cob blast rental in (your town)" should give you some leads.

Blasting requires skill and practice. You can etch (or break) glass and de-plate hardware in a heartbeat when blasting.

Chem strips on log homes require extra effort, too. You probably experienced this is the past, but for the sake of other readers I will explain that knots in a log are like straws and the water from your pressure washer will travel through the knot and run down the wall inside of the home. We always positioned one person inside to wipe down drips.

Sikkens has used a number of formulas over the years, and all of them are hard to remove (except blasting, which takes anything off). I would suggest using Flood Stripper/Cleaner. I know it works well on acrylics, which is what the current Sikkens formula is. Everybody I have suggested this product to has been successful with it. If you can't find it locally, I can probably get it to you.

If you call the Sikkens company, they may suggest a stripping product they like.

What you are considering is just one notch below log home restoration, which is a very serious business. The average job I remember ran more than $12K way back when. It should only be tackled by experienced contractors, as it requires a deep understanding of wood plus a full understanding of constructing log buildings. All of today's log home experts started somewhere, which usually means they learned either by working for a knowledgeable person or they learned by trial and error on someone's home. Scary stuff when you think about it.

I would be happy to take your call. 770-277-9924
 
Log homes are a totally different animal than deck and fence work. There's alot more liability, many more concerns and you can just swap a board out if you screw it up. I wouldn't suggest schooling yourself on a customers property.
 
Greg Rentschler said:
Log homes are a totally different animal than deck and fence work. There's alot more liability, many more concerns and you can just swap a board out if you screw it up. I wouldn't suggest schooling yourself on a customers property.
Click to expand...

+100....I'm with Greg.

Beth
 
Not to mention that an MHIC License IS required for this work....

Beth
 
this not my first time blasting , just first time using crush glass or corn cob
 
I have talked to someone who seems to do a lot of log homes and found that you have to keep the water cleaned-up from the inside. Sounded risky for a newbie. They do cob blasting sometimes too. Most finishes I believe could be stripped, you just have to know what you are doing. There are other things like chinking that may need to be dealt with too. I am sure there is an order in which to do things where it would be most successful.

Looking back through the thread I see a several pro log restorers. I'm a dork!
 
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