When Passion Meets the Pines: The Story Behind Elk Country Paints and the Alpine House Log Cabin Restoration
When most contractors turned down the job, Alex Bowman said yes.
The project? A massive, weathered Swedish-style log cabin restoration perched 10,000 feet up in the rugged canyons above Oakley, Utah. We’re talking remote! Miles of dirt roads from civilization and way beyond cell service.
For most contractors, it was too far removed, too risky, too rough. But for Alex, founder of Elk Country Paints, it was precisely the kind of challenge that fuels him.
“I live in the forest most of the time,” Alex said. “That’s where I belong. I built a service that helps people who can’t find anyone willing to go out and do the job.”
From a “Simple Roof” to a One-Man Mountain
The project started with what seemed like a straightforward task. It didn’t take long for Alex to realize that there was nothing straightforward about it. The homeowners wanted him to repaint a steep, intimidating metal roof (like, legit scary).
It was a tough ask to begin with, but within days, the crew bailed, leaving Alex to finish the job solo. For everyone else, it was too much. For him? Just another challenge to conquer.
The project tested him to his limits, both physically and mentally. Long days on the roof turned into sleepless nights, fighting pain and exhaustion. But he didn’t quit.
“It was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever gone through in business and life,” Alex said. “But I never gave up. I feel like I earned that home.”
That perseverance didn’t go unnoticed. Impressed by his commitment, the homeowner asked Alex to take on the entire log restoration itself (initially just a “clear coat,” but as every pro knows, it’s never just a clear coat).
The Reality of Remote Log Home Restoration
By the time Alex returned the following year to tackle the home’s complete log restoration, he once again found himself without a crew. “The work is grueling”, he explains. It’s long hours, heavy labor, camping out when hotels are too far away, and the mental grind that breaks many before the job is done. But for Alex, that hardship is part of what makes the work meaningful.
“People call me crazy, but I talk to homes. They tell me what they need. I build a personal relationship with the home,” he said. “When I came back to that cabin, it felt like it had accepted me.”
Weathered Wood to Cascade Finish
Alex began by washing the logs with CPR Cleaner & Brightener, cutting through years of dust and mountain exposure. Sun-beaten walls received extra attention, and from there he went to work with his preferred method, sanding with a pneumatic orbital sander using 40–60 grit, a process he swears by for achieving smooth, even results (mad respect from us for that!). “I know there are faster ways, but nothing does the job like a pneumatic orbital sander,” he said.
While washing, hidden log rot revealed itself (we’re looking at you, rail posts). Those areas were rebuilt using putties, which Alex calls one of his favorite parts of the job. “It’s like a work of art trying to match what’s there,” he said. “When I’m done, I can’t believe how much it matches the contour of the original log.”
Finally, the home was finished with Cascade Clear Coat, applied in two coats on areas that needed extra protection from the intense mountain sun. “Some of those walls were so sunburned they were just drinking it up by the gallon,” Alex explained.
Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Log Home Maintenance Plan
Alex and Elk Country Paints continue to work with the homeowner on a long-term maintenance plan, because no one wants to go through another complete restoration when simple upkeep can preserve a log home’s beauty and protection for years. “We’d never want to see someone have to restore when it’s so easy to maintain your project,” Alex said.
The Alpine House stands today as one of his proudest accomplishments, not just for its stunning view of the Uinta Mountains, but for what it represents: perseverance, craftsmanship, and heart.
A Passion for the Craft
Alex credits much of his continued passion and growth to his connection with Sashco at Zero Failures to the hands-on education he’s gained through our team (we’re not blushing; you’re blushing).
“When I use your products, I can hear Jim from Sashco talking in my head,” he said with a laugh. “It just lights a fire in me ten times more. You can’t fake that kind of passion.”
In the end, for Elk Country Paints, the Alpine House story isn’t just about logs, stains, and perseverance, it’s about heart and one determined craftsman who refuses to quit. Add to it a homeowner who believed in him, a log home that found new life high in the mountains where few dare to go and you have the makings of an epic success story.
For log homeowners, it’s a reminder of what’s possible when you care for your investment with the right products and people. For fellow pros, it’s proof that true craftsmanship still thrives one crazy-tough project at a time.
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About Sashco Log Home Products
When it comes to protecting and beautifying your log home, Sashco isn’t just another stain on the market — it’s the high-performance choice for serious log lovers. With industry-leading products like Capture, Cascade, and Transformation, Sashco combines cutting-edge technology and rugged durability to keep your logs looking stunning and standing strong year after year. Whether you’re chasing that perfect finish or just want to avoid the heartbreak of costly repairs, Sashco’s got your back. Because your log home deserves more than “good enough,” it deserves Sashco. Made for logs. Made to last. Made to make your neighbors jealous.
