Log Home Maintenance - Stripping and Cleaning Your Logs

Media blasting and pressure washing with cleaning/wood brightening products are the most common methods of stripping and cleaning log and wood surfaces. There is a trade-off between amount of effort and the appearance of your home, so consider carefully which approach best suits you.

Strip off the old stain

Stripping has never been easier if you're using the Kernel corncob-blasting machine. You benefit in many ways:

Stripping can be done in virtually any kind of weather, at any practical temperature.
Since no water is involved, you can apply preservatives and stains immediately. No waiting for the wood to dry out.
No harmful chemicals or damaging water will be forced through the walls.
The surface is ideal for excellent penetration and adhesion of coatings.
The corn media is non-toxic and biodegradable.
You don't have to mask windows. The corn media does not etch glass.

The Kernel's exclusive fan nozzle	Protective Clothing

The Kernel's exclusive fan nozzle removes stain evenly and provides a wider stripping range.	We strongly recommend protective clothing and the use of a face shield with a respirator whenever you are blasting - no matter what the media - ie. sand, corn, walnuts, etc.

The Kernel is easy to use. These pictures are from a maintenance job in Showlow, Arizona. Three people stripped this real estate office in 4 days, stained the structure, and repaired areas of chinking and caulking. While one side was being blasted with the Kernel, a previous side that had been blasted earlier was being stained. (Weather conditions allowed for blasting and staining simultaneously, there was no breeze to carry the media to the other side of the building.)

The Corncob Blasting Process

Before Corncob Blasting	After Corncob Blasting

Clean the Logs

CPR is a powdered concentrate, formulated so it can be used at two different solution strengths, depending on the condition of your wood and the results you desire. At regular strength, it simply cleans wood surfaces of accumulated dirt and grime to modestly brighten discolored wood. At the higher solution strength, it will aggressively brighten discolored wood.

Select the solution strength appropriate for the condition of your logs and mix according to the directions on the can or the literature.

It's best to do one wall at a time, starting with the bottom 2-5 logs and working up the wall in a similar pattern. Spray, brush, or mop on the solution allowing it to work for 5-20 minutes, keeping the surfaces wet with additional CPR solution. For best results scrub the surfaces with a stiff-bristled broom or brush. Rinse with clean water and move up the wall to the next section.

Although CPR will not harm grass or most plants, it is wise practice to rinse off grass and plants thoroughly with clean water after any type of chemical exposure.

UV-Burnt Bare Wood		Old Stained Wall
	Log walls before using CPR

	1. Brush any dirt and loose material off the wooden surfaces to ensure that CPR makes good contact with the surface you want to clean.

	2. Apply CPR one wall at a time starting at the bottom and working completely across, 2-5 logs high.

	3. Allow the solution to work 5-20 minutes, keeping the surfaces wet with additional CPR solution.

	4. Rinse with clean water as you go.

	5. Starting at the top of the wall, rinse the entire wall thoroughly, and allow to dry before stain application.

	Log walls after using CPR