Bringing Clarity
to Clear Coat Maintenance
By Charis Babcock
from Sashco, Inc.
Maintenance with a clear top coat over an elastomeric log
stain is pretty great.
·
Easiest application – apply even with a garden
sprayer
·
No lap marks – two layers of clear is . . . .
still clear
·
Protects the underlying stain from discoloration
·
Maintenance coats won’t darken the home over
time
·
Won’t discolor your chinking
Everyone knows that a $30 oil change two or three times a
year beats a $2,000 mechanic’s bill. Routine maintenance and re-application of
your clear coat is no different. Taking a
weekend or two every couple of years to apply a fresh clear coat will be the
difference between keeping your stain in tip top shape or paying $20,000 for a
complete redo. (Eek!)
So, what exactly does a clear coat do? (In this case,
Sashco’s Cascade® clear coat)
·
First, UV filters in Cascade® protect the
underlying Capture® Log Stain from discoloration. While slight discoloration
isn’t entirely avoidable in a semi-transparent stain, keeping up on Cascade®
maintenance will slow down the discoloration process.
·
Second, Cascade® contains the majority of the
water repellency of the two-part Capture® and Cascade® system. Keeping up on
Cascade® maintenance means a home that is protected from rain and snow.
So, how do you know it’s time for another clear coat? It all starts with an inspection.
Check your logs twice a year: once in the spring for any
winter damage, and once in the fall for any summer damage. In particular, look
for the following:
·
Loss of sheen: Cascade® has a satin sheen to it.
It will erode away more quickly in the highly exposed areas. Take a look at
your logs in the sun. It will be easy to tell where it’s worn off. Clean the
surface, and apply more.
·
Loss of moisture shedding: Take a hose or spray
bottle to the walls. If water is still sheeting off, you’re in good shape. If
not, time for a maintenance coat.
·
Discoloration of Capture®: If you notice
significant fading or darkening of the Capture® Log Stain, it’s likely the
Cascade® has been gone for a while. You may need to do a re-coat of both
products.
The good news: you don’t need to re-coat the whole house
every time. Apply more Cascade® where needed, when needed. It’s likely the
north side or any side protected by a porch can go several years without a
re-coat, while that south wall that’s fully exposed may need re-application on
those lower courses every two years. Your home is unique, so maintenance
schedules will be, too. In the end, it should only take you one weekend a year
to do the work. Once it’s done, sit back, pat yourself on the back, enjoy an
iced tea, and get on with life.
