Cleaning and Stain Removal - How to clean log walls?

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View Full Version : How to clean log walls?


logcabincook
10-10-07, 07:44 AM
We have a log home, and after power washing revealed leaks in some of the joints, we now have dirty streaks on the interior walls. Also I don't know that anyone has ever actually "cleaned" the walls aside from vacuuming off the dust and cobwebs.

I believe the walls are treated with a light coat of polyurethane since they are slightly shiny and any sanding I have done takes off this finish. However they are still rough and slightly porous, so I want to be careful.

Any suggestions of a good cleaner and method to clean the walls?

thanks again fellow DIYers!


twelvepole
10-10-07, 10:22 AM
A good all purpose cleaner might remove the streaks. If wood is stained, the work will be more challenging and may require sanding down to bare wood and refinishing.

logcabincook
10-10-07, 10:44 AM
Thankfully it's not stained, at least not to where it's apparent!

Looking around the room I realize that we have a false wall in the kitchen which is not finished very well. I will need to clean that wood before applying some tinted poly. Any suggestions for a good pre-poly cleaner?


twelvepole
10-10-07, 11:23 AM
Are these bare logs? Do they have a sealer on them? If bare wood, using water-based cleaners will likely discolor them. If bare, I'd go with a dry sponge, which is a special sponge used dry and works like a giant eraser. If sealed, any all-purpose cleaner/degreaser would work.