While many people prefer pressure washing for its ease of use, pressure washing can result in several problems, including water in the walls and wood-gouging. [2] X Research source Make it easy on yourself and purchase an attachment mist nozzle for your hose if you don’t already have one. Having a mister makes it super easy to evenly disperse the perfect amount of water across your wood during cleaning.
Make sure to put on safety goggles and wear clothes that cover your entire body, like a long sleeve shirt and pants, to protect yourself from any stray particles throughout the entirety of the cleaning and staining process.
Use a bristle brush to get in there and scrub any hard-to-remove debris stuck onto the wood.
Remember to be patient throughout the drying process. While waiting for the cleaner to dry can be frustrating, those 10-15 minutes ensure the wood is immaculate and ready for staining.
If your cabin is in direct sunlight, the wood should take around 48 hours to dry, whereas if it’s in a more shaded area or the weather is overcast, it’s best to wait for around 72 hours instead. In general, it’s best to err on the side of caution and wait 72 hours to ensure the wood is fully dry.
Pick a day with the right weather to make the staining process go smoothly. The perfect day for staining your cabin has minimal cloud cover and low humidity-anywhere between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit (10-32 degrees Celcius). [8] X Research source If you’re worried about hitting any planted foliage around your house with wood stain, you can cover it with plastic wrap and tape it off too.
There are countless wood staining products designed for log cabins, so whether you’re looking for a dark finish or want to enhance your wood’s natural color with a clear coat, there’s a perfect choice to suit your needs and preferences. You can use whatever stain color or base you want, regardless of your wood type. Keep in mind that any stain will deepen the color of your wood, so if you’re looking for a lighter finish, opt for a clear coat.
Make sure to wear a face respirator during the staining process to avoid breathing in harmful chemicals.
Staining one wall at a time allows you to keep track of your work without getting confused about whether or not you’ve sprayed the area yet, which can result in a splotchy, uneven finish.
A basic natural-bristle paintbrush will do the trick. All your helper has to do is rub the brush across the wood immediately after you’ve sprayed on the wood stain to ensure it gets in every crack and crevice, which helps it adhere better to the cabin. If you don’t have a helper, spray the stain in small sections so you can brush over the stain right after you apply it.
Not waiting enough time for the wood stain to dry before applying the next coat will result in an uneven, blotchy finish.
Caulking after the first coat of wood stain has dried makes cleanup easier, as the caulking can easily be wiped off the wood, whereas it would sink in and make it impossible for the wood stain to stick properly had you not waited until the first coat was dry.
Oil-based wood stains typically require 2 coats, whereas water-based wood stains require 3. Again, checking how long your wood stain of choice takes to dry before applying another coat is critical to ensure an even finish. Generally, waiting 24-48 hours for each coat to dry is the standard.
Upon restaining, use an orbital sander and 120-grit sandpaper to make sure the surface is smooth and free of dust. If you’re staining the wood for the first time, this may be unnecessary, but if you’re re-applying stain after a few years for maintenance, sanding is a critical step to help the stain stick better.
