What the Heck is Sandblasting?

Written By Wendy Scott

When it comes to maintaining the timeless charm of log homes, one of the most effective yet misunderstood techniques is sandblasting. This method involves the careful removal of old finishes and weathered wood to reveal a fresh, clean surface underneath.

This process fascinates us, so we wanted to share this part of our beloved Sweet Flag project. We realize not many people have log homes, but this concept is relatable if you have a wood deck (for all of you natural wood enthusiasts!)

So what exactly does sandblasting entail, and why is it beneficial for your home? Read below to learn more, and of course, see some pretty amazing transformation photos of the exterior!

Here you can see the difference in the wood at Sweetflag cabin after being sandblasted. And yes, the name rings true—the sand blasts right through the cracks in the logs and into the home!

Understanding the Process

A sneak peek at the prep that goes into this process to ensure nothing is damaged in the process. When we arrived to film our ‘The Story of Sweet Flag,’ we had no idea the complexity of how much we’d have to take down and clean to get footage indoors… (Hence Teal’s face, ha!)

Sandblasting, or ‘media blasting’ as it's commonly referred to in the restoration industry, is a dry process that utilizes small particles propelled at high speeds to remove old finishes from wood surfaces. Unlike traditional methods that involve chemicals or water, media blasting offers several unique advantages. Firstly, it avoids introducing moisture to the logs, which can exacerbate issues like rot and mold. Secondly, it efficiently strips away not only the old finish but also oxidized wood, revealing a cleaner substrate that's ready for restoration.

  • The primary facades are carefully blasted to remove old stains and reveal the natural beauty of the wood. Detailed areas such as the ends of each log and intricate cabin features like roofs and fascia are meticulously hand-sanded to ensure a smooth finish.

Scroll through to see the before when we purchased the house, before the log restoration process began:

This image shows the logs before the process. You can see how much dirt, dust and pollen had settled on the top of the logs over the years (and this is after us trying to clean them ourselves)! Under the overhang, they stayed in decent shape but still needed to be blasted.

Maintenance Made Simple

Once restored, maintaining your log home becomes straightforward but essential.

  • An annual rinse with a gentle hose spray (avoiding pressure washers) helps remove debris and preserves the wood's integrity. This maintenance ritual, similar to caring for a deck, prevents common wear from weather, sap, and mold, ensuring your home retains its stunning appearance year after year.

  • When considering finishes for your log home, you'll encounter choices like matte stains and semi-gloss options. While both provide equal protection, semi-gloss finishes offer the advantage of easier detection of weathering, highlighting areas that may require upkeep sooner. This visibility ensures proactive maintenance, keeping your home looking its best.

What’s next?

A new deck, eventually a new slider door (black would be so sleek with the new window trim color) and a side patio to the right of the deck will complete the exterior look from the back of the cabin!

The logs are now SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN!

Environmental Impact

Interestingly, the sand produced during blasting isn't wasted. It's actually beneficial for your soil, adding minerals and improving its texture. This eco-friendly byproduct underscores our commitment to sustainable practices throughout the restoration process.

Now we are working on finishing up narrowing the pathway so it’s less gravel and more green and getting irrigation in place so we can grow some grass (so Yuri can continue to dig holes and ruin all of our plans)! ;) Before/After below!

Thanks for reading our blog! We appreciate you.
Wendy



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Wendy Scott
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