Log Blog - Log Home Finishing

Removing Linseed Oil from Log Home

tutone — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:12:17 +0000

Linseed oil was often chosen as a good sealant for log homes in the past. It’s been about 15 – 20 years since linseed oil was replaced with more modern stains from Sashco and Sikkens, but observing log homes in the high country of Colorado, one can see signs of old linseed oil on logs. Linseed oil did do a good job of protecting logs, and has properties of seeping deep into the wood grain which enhances logs appearance to some. Linseed oil also allows for maintenance by applying new coats, however over time linseed oil can become unappealing and turns yellow. Removing linseed oil can prove a real challenge to a log home contractor.

If you have tried to remove linseed oil with hand sanding or pressure washing you probably didn’t last long and the linseed oil won the battle. Log Home Finishing LLC has experience with removing linseed oil from Colorado log homes via media blasting. Corn cob, walnut shell, and crushed recycled glass can all be used to remove linseed oil. A 185 Ingersol Rand compressor powers the blue blast pod filled with corn cob in the set up bellow. Friction, and heat are what actually melt and remove the old linseed oil leaving a sound surface ready for a pressure washing and finally fresh stain.

Chink Log Cabin

tutone — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:25:54 +0000

719 331 4047 Colorado Log Home Maintenance and Restoration

Log Home Finishing LLC is dedicated to finishing your Colorado mountain log or wood sided home.

Services include:

chinking
staining
media blasting
restoration

Protect your Colorado home against UV damage and aging from moisture and weather.

We are certified applicators of Sashco and Sikkens stain and chink.

All wood surfaces are pressure washed or media blasted if necessary.

Log Home Forum

tutone — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:43:20 +0000

For the ambitious homeowner / contractor who wants to learn how to maintain their own log home, a forum has now been created. The Log Forum can be used to share stories about finishing log homes, learn how to finish your log home, and share expert knowledge about all aspects of finishing your Colorado log home or mountain cabin.

Pressure washing, media blasting, chinking and staining all need to be done on log homes to maintain the wood and properly seal the home. If you are thinking about doing this work on your own, surely you must have some questions. Consider our forum, ask away, and your log home maintenance and restoration questions will be answered.

Log Home Forum

Media blast, stain, and chink log home!

tutone — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 21:52:53 +0000

It’s nearly halfway through 2011 and time to decided if 2011 is the year to media blast stain and chink your Colorado mountain log or wood sided home. Consider Log Home Finishing LLC based in Park County Colorado and serving surrounding Summit County, Grand County, and beyond.

Log Home Finishing is dedicated to finishing your primary residence, mountain cabin, or dream home. The sun is taking it’s toll but a good power wash with chemistry to clean your cabin will insure that a sound surface is provided for your new Sikkens or Sashco Stain. Log Home Finishing has the most knowledge and experience and we’d love to make your wood home, deck, and garage look great.

Log Cabin HDR

tutone — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 02:23:37 +0000

This historic log cabin resides at the bottom of CO Rd. 1 in Park County, Colorado. How long has it been there? No, Not since the 1800′s gold rush, she was most likely built during the 1930′s.

Log Home restoration involves many tools. The most important tool above and beyond all else is a good set of eyes. If you stare at a log cabin long enough the cabin will tell you how to restore it. This log cabin which I call Lost Mimi could only be restored through HDR photography.

Canon 7d w/ Canon EFS 17 - 55 mm 3 shot HDR +/1 2 EV composed in Photomatix Pro and Adobe Photoshop CS 5

Jordan Pressure Washer set-up

tutone — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:46:11 +0000

One of the most essential steps to preparing a log cabin or any wood surface like decks and siding is power washing. Power washing a home is one of those things that many homeowners assume will be easy. Colorado Log Home Finishing has many years of experience power washing wood surfaces, and we have the equipment to get the job done properly.

Spending a few hundred dollars on a hardware store variety power washer and connecting to your garden hose will never work to power wash a log home. A real power washing set-up starts with a water tank. Water is pumped from the tank to the power washing unit (on left in photo). The power washer provides pressure, less as altitude increases, of around 2500 psi. The 2500 psi water is heated by the ‘Hot Box’ (on right in photo), and the 2800 psi water comes out at up to 190 degrees. Lastly in the set up is a chemical injection sprayer to spray cleaner and brightener on the wood surface through the same wand that does the washing.

Pressure, heat, and chemistry are need along with many gallons per minute to properly clean wood. Pressure, heat, and chemicals can all do damage to wood if any element is overdone, but the combination makes for perfect pressure washing. Water out of wells in Summit County and Park County Colorado comes out at 32 degrees, so heating the water with the Hot Box is essential for power washing a log home.

Join us this week as we power wash and re-stain a log home in the mountains of Colorado.

Jordan Pressure Washer set-up for wood cleaning

New for 2011

tutone — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 04:29:52 +0000

What’s new for Log Home Finishing in 2011:

new blog
new short URL to our main web page about log home maintenance www.chink.co
hot water pressure washing of log homes, decks, and siding
web page with photos for your project!

In order, the new blog is probably the most fun for 2011 because writing about my work makes it that much more enjoyable.

Our new short URL which is printed on the cards, and brochures www.chink.co is great! It tells what we do, and the .co domain extension is unique to Colordao.

How water pressure washing supplies have been built by Jordan Pressure Washers to help Log Home Finishing get our preparation work done more efficiently. Just like washing your dishes, power washing a log home works better with heat!

Lastly, new for 2011, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom gives Log Home Finishing the unique possibility to provide all of our homeowner’s with photos of your project as we progress!

Contact Log Home Finishing LLC today at 719 331 4047 for an estimate of work to be done on your log home. If you are in Summit County or Park County Colorado and own a log cabin, you are in our home region, so call 719 331 4047 for an estimate today!

Welcome to the log blog

tutone — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:52:42 +0000

Welcome to the Colorado Log Home Finishing Log Blog. In computer terms we call this ‘hello world’, when you create something new. Why is Log Home Finishing after 7 years of restoring log homes in the High Country of Colorado now posting our work as public?.. in a blog!

Tom Elliott owner of Log Home Finishing has experienced all aspects of log home finishing, from restoring neglected cabins, to removing poor finishes with media blasting and sanding and buffing, and is now sharing how to maintain your log home through our experience. Ultimately Log Home Finishing LLC would like to restore your log home. I would like to involve you in the experience of maintaining your log home, so before we even start on your log home, enjoy our galleries, and follow the Log Blog as we take you through our summer 2011 projects.