GUIDELINES FOR CLEANING BARE WOOD PRIOR TO APPLYING LIFELINE STAINS
NEW LOG HOMES
1. If the wood has not grayed, wash the surface with a two (2) cups per gallon Log Wash™ solution and a pressure washer no more than seven (7) days prior to staining. Smooth log siding should be washed using Wood ReNew™. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry.
2. If you are finishing Western Red Cedar, Redwood, Walnut, or Mahogany, use Cedar Wash™, a ready-to-use cleaner, instead of Log Wash for better surface preparation and finish longevity on these specific wood substrates.
3. If there are signs of grayed wood, use Wood ReNew according to the label along with a pressure washer. Rinse well and allow wood surfaces to dry before staining. If more than seven (7) days pass before the home is ready for staining, wash the surface with a two (2) cups per gallon of water Log Wash solution, rinse well with a garden hose, and allow wood surface to dry.
4. If, after steps one or two, there are still dark streaks or discolorations on the surface, use a solution of Oxcon™, which contains oxalic acid, on the entire wall according to the directions for use. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry before staining.
OLDER LOG HOMES THAT HAVE HAD A PREVIOUS FINISH REMOVED
1. If there are no signs of gray surface wood, wash the surface with a two (2) cups per gallon Log Wash solution no more than seven (7) days prior to staining. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry.
2. If you are finishing Western Red Cedar, Redwood, Walnut, or Mahogany, use Cedar Wash, a ready-to-use cleaner, instead of Log Wash for better surface preparation and finish longevity on these specific wood substrates.
3. If there are areas where grayed wood is still evident or if the wood has darkened after the finish was removed, use Wood ReNew according to the label along with a pressure washer. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry before staining. If the wood has darkened or more than seven days has passed before the home is ready for staining, wash the surface with a two (2) cups per gallon of water Log Wash solution, rinse well with a garden hose, and allow the wood surface dry.
4. If, after steps #1 or #2, there are still dark streaks or discolorations on the surface, use Oxcon, an aqueous oxalic acid solution, on the entire wall according to the directions for use. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry before staining.
LOG HOMES WITH AN EXISTING FINISH THAT IS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION
1. If a maintenance coat of Lifeline stain or topcoat is going to be applied over an existing Lifeline finish, wash the coating surface with a two (2) cups per gallon Log Wash solution no more than seven (7) days prior to staining. Pressure washing is not recommended. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry. For maintenance cleaning of finished surfaces that are not going to be stained or top-coated, use a one (1) cup per gallon Log Wash solution.
A NOTE ABOUT RINSING
No matter what product you use to clean bare wood, nothing is more important than making sure you have adequately rinsed the surface. Any chemical residue remaining on the surface can have serious consequences later on. We always recommend using pH Strips to make sure that the surface of the wood has been sufficiently rinsed, preferably to a pH of between 6.5 and 7.5. You can find pH Strips at most pool supply dealers, aquarium supply shops, and Perma-Chink Systems, Inc. They are not expensive, very easy to use, and a great tool to ensure adequate rinsing.