Corn on the cob blowing up your log house
You decided to restore your records, but before you can apply the new stain, you must remove the existing finish. There are several methods to remove the existing finish on your log home such as; chemical pickling, pressure washing, sand, glass, nutshell and corn cob blasting. Each of these methods has pros and cons. Although log home restoration professionals and siding manufacturers may have different views and opinions, in many situations the most popular option is cob blasting. To help you make your decision, you need to understand the requirements for optimal tint performance.
Optimal staining performance
Having warm, dry, healthy, textured and clean logs is the consensus of log home professionals for the best coating performance. Many failed finishes are the result of not following the five requirements.
Warm: surface temperature generally between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit
Dry: moisture content of wood below 20 percent
Sound: Free of UV degradation and decomposition.
Texturing: improves adhesion / increases the amount of stain the wood will acquire
Clean: Logs free of dirt, pollen and mold
Positive aspects of blasting corn on the cob
The corn medium is non-toxic and biodegradable. This method prepares the log surface that is ideal for staining to achieve excellent penetration and adhesion. This method can be done at any temperature and removes up to 98% of any existing stain or paint from the logs. The logs are now clean, dry and textured. The original bare wood surface is ready to immediately accept a stain color of your choice with the end result of a new look.
The process
A corn cob blast machine uses high volume compressed air in conjunction with the milled corn cob medium. As the corn medium is squirted through a long hose, the nozzle moves back and forth while exposing a bare layer of wood. The air pressure can be adjusted to remove only the surface of the log necessary to remove the existing finish.
After blasting
Since the bare wood is now exposed, it is the ideal condition for a borate treatment to penetrate the logs. The borate will help prevent spoilage and will repel most insects. After application, you will need to wait several days for your logs to dry completely. Note that a textured surface becomes more stained than normal and produces a darker appearance than advertised. However, the more dye that is absorbed, the more pigment and UV protection you will have and the longer your new finish will last. If you want to minimize this, lightly sand the logs and add a product like Perma Chink’s After Blast which helps seal the logs allowing the stain to absorb more evenly.
Who cob blasts
Many log home restoration companies are using this method to remove the existing finish from log homes. There are also “blasting” companies that use corn cob media, just make sure they are trained and experienced in working with wood surfaces. This requires much more than blowing the corn media through a disintegrator. Proper training on operation and technique is required. Depending on the type of wood and coating you are removing, it will determine the size of the nozzle, the weight of the grain, and how far the nozzle should be from the surface of the log.
Negatives of blasting corn on the cob
Although Corn Cob Blasting achieves a positive result, there are a couple of negatives to be aware of. The grain of corn cob can reach your home. This can be a nuisance as the media forms a “dust coat” in parts of your home where the logs have broken seals. Additionally, light sanding may be required for homeowners who prefer a smooth polished finish.
Good choice
When you decide to remove the finish from your existing log home, you may want to consider the widely used corn cob blasting technique. This method produces the ideal conditions for dye performance, including a clean, textured, dry trunk. Once this process is complete, the bare wood is exposed and ready to stain in whatever look you choose. There are many reasons why corn cob blasting is a great way to remove the finish from a log home … start by choosing one that’s eco-friendly and have fun!
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