Cleaning Bare Wood Surfaces

Over the past few years we have discovered many things about cleaning bare wood. First and foremost is that chlorine bleach is not a good product to use. In addition to its potential for damaging wood fibers, its use and misuse contributes to a number of problems including the loss of film adhesion, discolorations due to tannin extraction and the formation of iron tannates, streaks, blotches and premature failures of the finish system. We have also discovered that a number of wood and deck cleaners available at paint and hardware stores, home improvement centers and Do-It-Yourself outlets contain components that interfere with the proper performance of our finish systems. With this in mind we have decided that the ONLY cleaning products approved for use with our finishes are those products supplied by Perma-Chink Systems, Inc.  We are not doing this to increase our sales of cleaning products.  It is simply because we have tested our cleaning products with our finish systems and have confidence that when properly used and applied, their use will result in the best possible appearance and performance of the final LIFELINE finish. We cannot say the same about the use of other types and brands of wood cleaners and strongly discourage their use with any of our LIFELINE stains.

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 cups per gallon Log Wash solution and a pressure washer no more than four days prior to staining. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry.

2. If there are signs of grayed wood, use Wood ReNew according to the label along with a pressure washer.  Rinse well and allow to dry before staining.  If more than four days pass before the home is ready for staining, wash the surface with a two cups per gallon Log Wash solution, rinse well with a garden hose and allow to dry.

3. If after steps one or two there are still dark streaks or discolorations on the surface, use a solution of Oxcon 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 cups per gallon Log Wash solution no more than four days prior to staining.  Rinse well and allow the wood to dry.

2. 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 more than four days pass before the home is ready for staining, wash the surface with a two cups per gallon Log Wash solution, rinse well with a garden hose and allow the wood surface dry.

3. If after steps one or two there are still dark streaks or discolorations on the surface, use a solution of OXcon oxalic acid 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 finish, wash the surface with a two cups per gallon Log Wash solution no more than four days prior to staining. Pressure washing is not recommended. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry. (For maintenance cleaning finished surfaces that are not going to be stained or top coated, use a one 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 wood 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. pH Strips are available at most pool supply dealers, aquarium supply shops and Perma-Chink Systems, Inc. They are not expensive and are very easy to use.

"Vince Palmare"