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Problem with finish on log cabin

prosecho | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 24, 2004 10:36am

Hello

I recieved a call from a person today (a referal )They own a log cabin built in 1988.

He says the original finish was linseed oil.It began to mold and mildew .The next thing they did was finish it with boat varnish.He wants these logs striped and refinished .I would appreciate any sound advice on how to strip and properly finish this house.

Thank you

Rick Sheehan

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  1. UncleDunc | Jan 24, 2004 11:21pm | #1

    Have you seen the house? Is there enough light and air circulation around it? The moldy linseed oil suggests darkness and moisture to me, and no finish is likely to hold up real well in that environment. Is this the first refinish since the HO switched to varnish? How long has it been since it was last finished? Is he unhappy with the varnish and wants something else, or is he just asking for it to be refinished and wants you to suggest a finish?

    Just my uninformed opinion, but I wouldn't bid on it. A HO who would finish an entire house in boat varnish sounds to me like the kind of customer who has more money than good sense, and who can never be satisfied.

    Brave Sir Robin ran away.

    Bravely, bravely ran away.

  2. VaTom | Jan 25, 2004 02:29am | #2

    Living in Virginia, I've only seen one finish that absolutely won't grow mold or mildew.  That was boat hull paint.  The product safety sheet said breathe it and die.  Nasty stuff, but it won't grow a fungus.  I used it on some mahogany furniture.  Looked like white plastic.  Probably not what your HO had in mind. 

    I use boiled linseed oil on my exterior wood.

    You've got a dreamer, good luck.

    PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

  3. BryanF | Jan 25, 2004 04:46am | #3

    Check out the Kernel, Its a sandblaster type machine but uses ground corncobs. It wont damage the logs or windows etc....  I like to use Pentox as a sealer and fungicide , but any quality clear wood preservative will do.

  4. Piffin | Jan 25, 2004 09:47pm | #4

    Of course not ANY wood sealer will do. It will need funcicides added and should also have UV protection.

    The old finish will need to be stripped to the wood to get rid of the mildew staining. Probably a conmbo of sandblastring and sanding. Not easy given the irregular surface.

    Linseed is prime food for the Largemouth Mildew, prized as bait for the same. Sounds like he caught enough to fill his creel. Educate him that he made a bad choice and then covered it up with another.

    For product to use, prowl the Log home sites and do some research with them. ( can you say, Google? ) Look for products containing fungicides and UV protection

    .

    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. User avater
      Sphere | Jan 25, 2004 10:17pm | #5

      perma chink has it all..even the cob blaster thing. 90.00 a day you supply the air.Go Stab yourself Ya Putz! Ya think I Parked here?

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