Restoration products to remove old finishes and make dirty wood look like new
The First Step to renewing your log home is cleaning the surface. On new wood surfaces brush or wipe off any extraneous debris that might be present. On the log surface where the build-up of fungi is under the surface of a stain or finish - power wash, strip or sand off this coating and wipe it down with a damp cloth or sponge prior to the application. There are several ways to clean dirty, weathered wood. The most common types of surface cleaners offered by Perma-Chink Systems:
- Prep - is an excellent surface preparation prior to staining or re-staining, preserving or sealing. Prep works well on logs, decks, fences and cedar shakes.
Prep is a concentrated powder that is mixed with water and applied to wood. It removes stains and discolouration caused by dirt, mildew, and mold-renewing the natural beauty of wood.
PrepApply solution liberally with sprayer, brush or mop from bottom up. Allow solution to work for ten minutes, keeping the surface wet with additional amounts of solution. When necessary, use a medium bristle scrub brush or stiff broom to help clean surface. Rinse thoroughly from top down with water hose or pressure washer. Heavily discoloured areas may require additional treatments. When application and rinsing of product has been completed, rinse any shrubbery, plants and landscaping areas that have had exposure to product. - Oxcon - lightens and brightens wood surfaces prior to using natural finishes or semi-transparent stains. For use on Exterior and Interior logs, decks, railings and fences.
Oxcon may be applied with a sprayer, roller, brush or broom. Use liberal amounts (a flowing coat) over a specific area. Do not spot-treat since this method of application could cause blotching. Let the solution sit on the surface for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with plenty of water. Apply from bottom up and rinse from top down. - Blaster-Buddy - revolutionary machine, with remote control, that weighs about 400 pounds and it is approximately four feet high. It comes with 50 feet of blast hose, an owners manual and safety kit. The safety kit includes a face shield with headgear, a pair of gloves, sets of earplugs and respiration mask.
Glass blasting media is a light abrasive for the purpose of stripping, cleaning or removal of old finishes on most wood substrates. The media itself is made from recycled glass that has been crushed to a specific size.
This media then placed into a pressure pot type-blasting machine and then it is blown through a specific sized nozzle onto the wood to remove the old finish. The process is very much like sandblasting, but much safer for the user and environment.
By using glass blasting media, there is no water or other chemicals used that may cause the wood substrate to "fuzz" or swell, thereby eliminating the need to sand the surface prior to applying your finish. Properly blasted substrates will have sort of a "velvet" look and will normally stain a little darker than smooth or planed surfaces. This velvet texture makes an excellent surface for the finish to adhere to, and will create a professional image for the entire home.
What you will need, is a large air compressor with a minimum of 125-CFM airflow. These compressors can usually be rented at a local rental centre. You will also need a blast pot to apply the media, contact your Perma-Chink distributors for the availability of these machines.
After you've inspected all wood for deterioration and removed or restored any wood that is not structurally sound and used the right restoration products from Perma-Chink Systems, move to STEP 2.
Stains and Finishes Application Guide 
Application Guide for Lifeline stains and finishes
Log Home Sealant Application Guide
Application Guide for Perma-Chink, Energy Seal, Stack-n-Seal