We at Oregon Trail Log Home Restorations feel that generally, Media Blasting (corn, glass blasting) is the best overall method of dealing with many log related problems. Some other methods for removal of failing finishes, sun-burned wood, mold and mildew issues, etc., are sand blasting or chemical stripping. By cob blasting (cleaning) the surface of the logs, you will not only remove dirt and debris, you will restore the original appearance to your log home. Cob blasting is similar to sand blasting in that you use a blasting pot, in combination with highly compressed air. Cob blasting machines use the compressed air together with the ground up corn cob. The corn cob is light, and works very effectively to strip the wood. The air pressure and the amount of media (corn cob) can be adjusted very precisely to only remove as much of the log as is necessary to remove the failing finish, bad wood, etc. Corn cob that is used is bio-degradable, and actually works as a good mulch. With chemical stripping, the chemical is applied, then allowed a dwell time. The dwell time varies, depending on the finish to be removed, etc. Then a pressure washer is used to remove the chemicals. This is another reason that we prefer cob blasting. It is a dry process. The materials that can be used with the media blasting; are corn, glass, walnut, sand, and soda as the job requires.
These are just some of the reasons why we feel media blasting is the preferred method. We are committed to best processes, and those that are healthy for our environment!
View our Media Blastin Gallery here