Good Morning JR,
Sashco High Sierra is a synthedic latex material. Once you have it applied to the logs everthing is fine untill the logs start to dry out and start to check ( crack or split ). When a log checks, it opens up the finish and lets moisture into the logs. This moisture of course will dry out by escaping in a gases form back through the finish, however, everything will take the path of least resistance which means that most of it will escape back through the check. By escaping back through the checks, the leading edges of the checks will turn white and start to peal. Once the adheasion properties of been breeched, it's just a matter of time before it all starts to come off.
Log railings are very hard to maintain if they are fully exposed. If the temp. outside is 90 degrees, the top of the log could be 130 degrees. Not many finishes will stand up to that kind of heat for very long.
To sand off High Sierra is time consuming due to the fack that the finish when you sand will heat up and want to act like gum on your sand paper. I'm not saying that it can't be done. I don't know the condition of the finish, it may be deteriorated enought that it'll sand off easley. If nothing else, test it.
Myself, I would use a thick stripper, brush it on, let it dwell and power wash it off. If you would like a sample of this stripper, let me know.
The log home we're doing right now has about 240 feet of log rails. It's only three years old and 60% of the railing has rotted. He wants it replaced which is good for us but I am trying to talk him into going to a differant style because I know that in another 3/4 years, he'll be in the same boat he's in now, rotted railing.
You may want to take an ice pick and do alot of probing around and check this one for dry rot also. I'd hate to see you start power washing this thing and have it blow apart on you.
If I can be of any help, just let me know.
Jim Bilyeu 6/23/01
Exterior Woodcare 8:10 AM
