Protect your log home investment: Q8 Log Oil

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” Brad Mercer, our corporate sales manager, is often overheard making this statement when discussing exterior preventative treatments with his log home clients. In short, he means protect your log home investment. Similarly to your automobile requiring an oil change, tire rotation and regular washing and waxing, the exterior of your log home will also need preventative care. Let’s take a closer look at these details.

Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes will supply CTA’s Q8 Log Oil as a standard component in your log home package. We will carefully calculate how much Log Oil you will need for the initial application and the product will be delivered directly to your job site.

There is a wide variety of colorants available that can be added to the Q8 Oil. Here are some examples (bottom left). Additionally, “pre-mixed” Log Oil already has colorant in it, but the color selection options are not as thorough (bottom, right). Check out our Log & Timber Store for additional color options and details.

The Q8 is an oil-based, one-coat application process. It is our recommendation that your log home be treated within 90 days of weather-tight construction completion. If your home was built throughout the winter, you will want to wait until spring when the temperatures are steadily greater than 55 degrees. Like now!

The Log Oil application process goes like this:
(1) Commence Log Oil treatment at the first (bottom) log row
(2) Work from side to side
(3) Move on to the second log row and so on
(4) Repeat. You will repeat these steps until each log wall, soffit, window and door trim, and porch ceiling have been treated.
(5) Be sure to step back and admire your stunningly beautiful, newly treated log home.

Most builders and DIYers utilize a pump-up garden sprayer for this application. It will save time and physical labor. If you’re dead-set on using a brush, the Q8 Log Oil can also be applied in that manner as well.

When the Oil is initially applied to a new log home – or completely bare logs – the logs will greatly absorb the product. It is best to heavily apply the Oil to the point of saturation. Your logs will thank you.

Long-Term Protection: Q8 Log Oil by Outlast

Long term, CTA Chem Products recommends to repeat the Q8 application in 1-2 years after this initial treatment and then 5-7 years after that. To determine whether or not the treatment should be reapplied, throw a bucket of water onto the side of the wall. If the water beads up, then the Oil is still protecting the logs. If the water does not bead and the log color becomes darker due to absorption, then it’s time to retreat.

Ultimately, whether you’re a new or seasoned log home owner – or perhaps you bought a log home or cabin that needs some TLC – our professionals can provide additional guidance regarding recommended treatment methods, the application process, and product and color selection. Contact us any time for assistance.