Log home,need advice !

johny

New Member
Hello!

This log home i am cleaning has black stains on all over the logs.In fact about 30% of the lumber used around the house is stained black,looks pretty bad.Its a new house and i am cleaning it with citric and laundry det.I cannot get them out.They look like black stripes or lines here and there,some places as wide as half a log.
What causes these and how to deal with it.I am planning on putting on dark brown stain which would make these places black probably.
I let the solution sit 15 min and wash it at low pressure,no need to use high ,still wouldnt get them out,i tried.
I was wondering if i could mix some strong citric(i used 10 oz. per 1 gal),wet the logs down again,then apply citric and let it dry,instead of washing it off,maybe it would have more time to brighten.What i mean is ,after washing apply citric again without the laundry det and redo the sides i did today by brightening again.??
This one side i did still looked black after washing,then when it dried it looked close to what it should be.
Tell me what you think
Thanks Johny
 

Tim Smith

New Member
Try an oxygen bleach - Percarbonate Base & then spay your citric acid on the logs to brighten - no need to rinse brightner.
 

Greg Rentschler

New Member
Hi Johnny,

Tim's got the right idea. Sounds as though your experiencing Tannin staining on the surface among the other contamination. You'll want to mix a percarb solution at around 2.5 lbs to 5 gallons and apply it liberally. This acts to oxidize the the surface and will aid in removal and cleaning dramatically. Following this you'll need to apply an oxalic acid based wood brightener to the surface and allow it to dry. It would alos be wise to treat the exterior with a borate prior to applying the finish. This is basically just insurance against wood rot and insects. Email me directly at timberseal@attbi.com and I can direct you further. Or give me a ring...

Greg Rentschler
TimberSeal, Inc.
(219) 617-0879

PS> This is all assuming there is no finish applied to the surface.
 

johny

New Member
Thanks for your replies
I hate sod percarbonate,whatever vertical surface i have used it on i get felting.These logs have been put up 2 month ago,there is really no uv damadge thats why i didnt use anything but citric,so no buffing necessary so far,i would hate to spend a week buffing it.
This house already has insect damadge ,looks like bullet holes but they are oval.Home ovnewr dont want borate beacause of the cost,i will talk to him again.Where do you guys buy your supplies.I checked permachink prices,they are high.

Also i have a question about moisture.When i got there ,log moisture content was around 14%,it hadnt rained awhile and it was on the porch ,where rain never hits it.How am i gonna put ready seal on if they never dry???What finish can i use in this case?


Johny
 

Greg Rentschler

New Member
Hi Johny,

What cleaner are you using? We use a percarb mix everyday and rarely run into a felting problem.. especially on new timber. If you want more info on products email me directly at timberseal@attbi.com.

Regarding moisture content -- logs are a different breed than deck boards. We have come across homes that simply wouldn't go below 17% moisture content. Majority of your products recommend the moisture be between 12% and 18% so while I would recommend getting it as low as possible I wouldn't recommend waiting a month for it to do so. Your best bet would be to talk to Peirce Fitchett for recommendations with the Ready Seal application.

Take Care,

Greg Rentschler
TimberSeal, Inc
219-617-0879
 

johny

New Member
I finally figured out what those black stains are,they are caused by pine beetles!Citric lightened them up a lot but i dont think its possible to get them out,is it??
Is it possible to apply one light coat of rady seal to damp logs(%14-18),then let them dry a month and apply second coat without rewashing.That way logs wouldnt get uv damadge and be able to dry without letting water penetrate.I dont think i will ever catch 7 dry,hot days,because thats exatly what i would need.What do you think,i know first coat would have light spots,but when its all dry,shouldnt it look nice and uniform.is this idea unreal?????
Thanks guys for your help
Wondering where is Jim B.,might have to call him,but hate to have to bother a busy man
Johny
 

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