Optimal Stain Performance

Having warm, dry, sound, textured and clean logs is the consensus from log home professionals for the best coating performance. Many failed finishes are a result of not following all five requirements.

Warm: Surface temperature generally between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit
Dry: Moisture content of the wood below 20 percent
Sound: Free of decay and UV degradation
Textured: Enhances adhesion/increases amount of stain wood will take on
Clean: Logs free of dirt, pollen and mold

Positives of Corn Cob Blasting

Corn media is both non-toxic and biodegradable. Corn Cob Blasting prepares the log surface which is ideal for stain 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 off the logs. Logs are now clean, dry and textured. The original bare wood surface is ready to immediately accept a stain color of your choice with an end result of a new look.

The Process

A Corn Cob blasting machine uses high volume compressed air together with the ground up corn cob media. As the corn media is blasted through a long hose, the nozzle is moved back and forth as a bare layer of wood is exposed. The air pressure can be adjusted to remove only as much of the log surface 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 into the logs. The borate will help prevent decay and repel most insects. After application, you will need to wait several days for your logs to completely dry. Keep in mind a textured surface, like Corn Cob blasting creates, may take on more stain than normal producing a darker look than advertised. However, the more stain 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 such as After Blast by Perma Chink which helps to seal the logs allowing the stain to absorb more evenly.

Who Corn Cob Blasts

Many log home restoration companies are now using the method of Corn cob blasting or other types of media, to remove the existing finish from log homes. There are also “blasting” companies that will use corn cob media, just be sure they are trained and have experience working with wood surfaces. Corn Cob Blasting requires much more than blowing corn media through a blaster! Proper training on the operation and technique is required. Depending on the type of wood and what coating you are removing, will determine the size nozzle, grit weight and distance the nozzle should be from the log surface.
 

Do It Yourself

Although we do not recommend corn cob blasting your log home yourself, we respect that hiring professionals may be cost prohibitive or you may feel capable of doing the work. There are several videos and workshops that offer tips and instruction on the operation and process. Sashco (www.sashco.com) offers corn cob blasters for rent called "The Kernel" and PermaChink (www.permachink.com) offers a similar corn cob blaster called a "Blaster-Buddy". You may also find similar blasters and corn media available at your local equipment rental company such as a "Do it Center". Please be sure you follow the instructions carefully. If you were unable to attend a workshop and this is your first time corn cob blasting logs, start on the back of a log outbuilding, log garage or under decking or a porch to get use to the machine and technique.

Negatives of Corn Cob Blasting

Although Corn Cob Blasting achieves a positive result, there are a couple of negatives to keep in mind. The Corn Cob Grit can find its way into your home. This can be a nuisance as the media forms a “dusting” in parts of your home where the logs have broken seals. Also, light sanding may be required for those homeowners who prefer a smooth milled finish.

A Good Choice

When you decide to remove your existing log home finish, you may want to consider the widely used technique of Corn Cob Blasting. This method produces ideal conditions for stain performance which includes a dry, textured, and clean log. Once this process is complete, the bare wood is exposed ready to stain for the look of your choice. There are many reasons why Corn Cob blasting is a great way to remove a log home finish… start by choosing one that is environmentally friendly and have a BLAST!

Article written by Tom Tydeman Log Options, LLC www.logoptions.com

Originally created: 01/2007 Updated 09/2009