How to Prep & Stain a Log Home
Just as the name implies, log homes are constructed of stacked tree trunks. Although log homes can be left in their natural wood state, staining them seals the wood and protects it against pests, UV damage and moisture. Before you stain a log home, the logs must be properly cleaned to remove dirt and debris, as well as achieve a consistent color throughout the logs. Although preparing and staining a log home is not all that difficult, it is a big job that can take up to a week to accomplish.
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Things You'll Need
- 5-gallon bucket
- Log cleaner
- Paint stirrer
- Long-handled brush
- Garden hose
- Log-end seal
- Paint brush with natural bristles
- Semi-transparent wood stain
Instructions
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1
Fill a 5-gallon bucket three-quarters of the way full with water. Pour a log cleaner solution into the water as directed by the manufacturer's instructions. Mix the solution with a paint stirrer or other long object until combined.
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2
Wash the entire outside of the log home with the log cleaner solution and a long-handled brush. Scrub the brush back and forth over the logs to remove as much dirt and grime as possible.
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3
Rinse the entire exterior of the home with a garden hose to rinse off all traces of the log cleaner solution. Allow the log home to dry for at least two or three days before proceeding.
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4
Apply log-end seal, using a paintbrush, to the ends of the logs where they extend out from the house. This seals off the cut ends of the wood and prevents them from absorbing moisture. One gallon of log-end seal is usually adequate for an average-size log home. Allow the log-end seal to dry for one to three hours before staining.
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5
Apply a semi-transparent wood stain to the logs with a natural-bristled paint brush. Paint one log at a time, moving in a horizontal direction. Do not paint multiple logs at once, as the stain will show brush marks. Make sure to get the stain into the crevices of the logs where they connect to each other. Allow the logs to dry for 24 to 48 hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not stain a log home when rain is expected.
Apply the wood stain when outdoor temperatures are between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
After staining, you should apply a 3/8 inch bead of exterior, water-proof caulking in between each log.
