Re-stain log siding

hondochica2 · Aug 2, 2023

Greetings;
I have a manufactured home in Colorado that has log siding over the original manu house siding. The log siding is needing re-staining/painting. I'm in the Rockies and rather remote - tough to find a contractor to do this. So I'm looking for advice on how to re-stain the siding; or if you think it would be better to just paint it. Photo attached.

If I opt to re-stain, or paint, - does all the old stain have to be removed - is that even possible?

I read a couple previous posts about the pros/cons of power/pressure washing. Will this be necessary? advisable? It's really dry here (except for occasional afternoon T-storms) - so I don't anticipate a problem with drying before staining/painting. What the best method or prepping?

Thanks for your time
Kelly

SW Dweller · Aug 2, 2023

How about a few more pictures, farther back and of the edges, top and bottom. Is this real wood ? How thick?

hondochica2 · Aug 3, 2023

I've attached some photos - hope they are what you are looking for. The siding is almost 1.5" thick (at the widest point). Yes, real wood.

yes, the concrete block the house sits on is green on one side and red on the other!

Kelly

mark sr · Aug 3, 2023

I think I'd wash it with TSP and rinse well [either pressure washer or garden hose] and then apply a quality waterborne stain. As long as the existing finish is weathered and clean there shouldn't be any issues apply stain directly over it.

woodco · Aug 3, 2023

wash it, and restain it.

Half-fast eddie · Aug 3, 2023

Don’t paint. Use a semi-transparent stain. You only need to remove any old finish that is flaky. If it’s still well adhered it can stay.

mark sr · Aug 3, 2023

I stand by washing and using a waterborne stain. I might would mix in bleach with the TSP as the cleaning solution.

hondochica2 · Sep 8, 2023

Hey again - amazing how time flies!! So after much effort and lots of waiting for estimates - I have my 3 - they are very, very different so I wanted your opinion on how to evaluate or if I should just try to tackle this myself - which will probably be next year.

They all suggest power-washing - and all using Sherman Williams stains - the easiest available where I am. All mentioned spraying w/ back brushing so the methods all seem equal. The house is a small single story ranch: @ 1100 sq. ft: 28x40 standard MH size. I told all 3 I would probably select a semi-transparent stain that closely matches the existing color. None of them said their process would remove all existing stain and take siding back to bare wood.

#1: $9,120 - this seems Insane!! This company was voted "best in teller county" by residents - gets alot of insurance work

#2: $1,600: ($350 to P/W; $1,250 to stain; +$300 to change color); has good reviews on NextDoor - including 'staining' recs

#3: $3,900 (no breakdown - no specs) Also good recs on NextDoor but not sure he has been in business as long as he says.

Suggestions ?? anything I should ask them to help me decide.

Also - I see Sherman Williams has stain at 30% off til 9/11; is it really cheaper to have the contractor buy the stain?

thanks
Kelly

mark sr · Sep 9, 2023

#1 probably stays busy and has no incentive to work cheaper
Contractor pricing is fairly constant and is usually the same or lower than sale prices.
Before hiring any painter - check his references!

stick\shift · Sep 9, 2023

Pretty wide range with little other information offered. FWIW, my original response would have been exactly what Eddie said in post # 5.

Re-stain log siding

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