SUMMER 2016 PROJECT PROFILE:

CARLISLE LOG CABIN STAIN PROJECT

From Weather Worn To WeatherPROOF In Just One Week…

Reason for Client Contact: Our client contacted us over his concern that the BEAUTIFUL log cabin home he purchased was not properly sealed against the elements. This was a REAL DEAL log cabin, and he wanted to make sure that it stayed beautified and protected for many years to come. He found us on our website www.Justaddpaint.net, and was impressed with both our extensive list of positive reviews and client references, as well as our large photo library of exterior restoration work we have completed in the past. On our end, we were thrilled to hear from him- this was a large project, but we always love a challenge, and knew how exciting the final product would be! Additionally, true log cabin stain jobs are a pretty rare find in our area so this was a fun way to mix things up!

Services to be Utilized:

Power Wash Spectacular: Our team knew the surface prep was extremely important for this project. We had to balance proper cleaning, (mildew, dirt, and grime removal,) with safe power levels (we needed to clean the wood just the right amount, so that it is ready to accept the fresh oil stain, but not so much that we strip the build from the prior product that was applied- or even damage the wood itself!!) We were able to achieve this goal by blending the use of standard high- pressure power washing on low areas (where mildew build up is at its worst due to moisture from the ground and surrounding shrubs), with high flow (soft wash) power washing on higher areas. Soft wash power washing is extremely helpful with higher areas of the house. It allows the mildicide to do the work without unnecessary risk of wood damage where pressure is of less importance. With our system, the difference is fooding the higher areas with 5 gallons of water per minute with a wider tip, compared with 2.5-3 gallons on lower areas with through smaller tip. We utilized a low chemical, non-bleach cleaner with mildicide in order to preserve the natural color of the wood, while also removing mildew completely. **Remember the manufacturer recommends waiting one week before attempting to paint or stain any surface after power washing. Most of our competitors feel safe with 72-hours, but that may void the warranty of the top coat.**
Wood Repair: Our home owner had recently had his log cabin home inspected for insects, so we knew were were not dealing with any active burrowing (no worries on trapping termites or woodpeckers!). We used a stainable wood filler to fix any areas on the wood that showed damage from potential home invaders, (small holes bored through into the wood) and any other areas with damage up to the size of a dime. In the case of deeper areas, we utilized a foam filler, then completed the repair with the wood filler. (All repairs must be top-coated with a wood filler product, so that the stain we apply is absorbed evenly by both the patch material AND the surrounding wood. If this step is neglected, the patch will stand out in the finished product, because it will not soak in the stain in a manner similar to the wood. It would also be susceptible to the elements and future pest invasions.
Oil Stain Application: We applied Sherwin Williams new formula Oil-Based Log Cabin Home Stain. We chose this product for a few different reasons: First, while latex products have improved dramatically over the past few years, oil-based stain remains the most trusted product on the market for overall longevity and protection from the elements. Second, the previous coating applied to this home was oil-based, and an oil-based product was the only way to get proper penetration into the wood. And lastly, Sherwin Williams new formula is one of the few products on the market that integrates a mixture of Linseed, Tung, and Paraffin oil. This technicality is not promoted on the can, but for those of us looking for a product that will hold up the best and make US look good in the long run, it was a HUGE selling point. I will not bore you with the benefits of each oil and how they work together for a long lasting finish. But I will tell you this new formulation was great to work with because the blend allowed for a quick, smooth application, and also for its excellent product life and superior wood protection.

Products to be Utilized:

Sherwin Williams Exterior Oil-Based Log Home Stain
Wooster 3 and 4 inch Deck Brushes
Sherwin Williams 4 inch Jumbo Core Mini Whizz Microfiber Rollers
Butcher Block and Plastic for Surface Protection. We are staining the house, not the sidewalk and flowers!!)
Bercom Handypail 1 Gallon Trays and Large Red Buckets
High Pressure / High Flow adjustable rated gas Power Washer
Simple Green Bleach Free Cleaner with Mildicide additive

Challenges of the Job:

Challenge number one is always WEATHER. We need to powerwash the home to be stained, but also need to ensure proper drying before stain is applied. Then, we need time for the stain to dry and be re-coated, before any rain hits the surface. Oil stain is not particularly quick drying, so this is very important, because any moisture beading on the surface of the stain before it is 100% soaked in can lead to water spotting- which is unacceptable. (Yes, I did hear that polk-a-dot swimsuits are back in fashion this summer. But NOT polk-a-dot log cabins.)
Challenge number two is speed of product application. Because we need dry weather to ensure that the stain penetrates properly and can be recoated a quickly as possible, fast product application becomes very important. Working in directly sunlight can dry the surface of the stain BEFORE proper penetration occurs, which required us to stay of the sun and always work on the opposite side of direct sunlight. Oil stain is very susceptible to “lining up,” meaning that if we do not complete a given section quickly, lap marks will be visible when the stain soaks in. We avoid this in two ways. First, we apply the stain very fast, and make sure we only apply a freshly dipped roller over areas while they are still wet. We then carefully work the stain in and blend the sections with a brush, ensuring a consistent finish. Second, we complete board sections all at once, using natural breaks in the logs or boards as stopping points. These two techniques combine to create a very smooth, even final product. We are able to accomplish the speed needed both by working fast individually, and by working in pairs, with one team member applying the stain with a mini-whizz 4” roller, and another team member “back-brushing” the stain immediately, in order to work it properly into the wood. We find that this two step process gives us the best possible result.

The Outcome: We hope that the finished product photos speak for themselves (we knew the Gopro would come in handy at some point!), but we at Just Add Paint were THRILLED with the finished product. The weather cooperated with us from start to finish, and our application techniques and materials worked in harmony to create a beautiful product. This was not an easy project, but it was certainly worth the extra work. We felt that this was one of the best result we had ever achieved on an exterior project, and were excited that our client felt the final quality of our work matched the beauty of his home itself.

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