Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions Cleaning up weathered cedar logs

I am building a front entry for my uncle and he would like to use cedar logs he cut down a few years back as posts. They have been setting for a few years, but look like they are in good shape. I would like to clean them up finish them with Landark. Anybody have a good idea on how to clean up the weathered grey look? Sanding is the obvious, but there are a lot of small branches and grooves so that would be tough. Anyone use those wheel brush sanders on an application like this? Any advice would be appriciated. Thanks.

You may want to try sand blasting with walnut shells.

Tell us more about the walnut shell technology.

Try oxalic acid, it can be found dissolved in deck cleaners, but can also be purchased as a powder from many local paint retailers.

It is best to wet the whole timber with water first then spray on the oxalic acid solution (a garden sprayer works well if you have a lot to do). Give it 20 min. to work then rinse off with water.

Last time we had to do this at Brian's we used ground corn cob material Link
The process is the same as walnut shell blasting
Walnut Shells
Corn Cobs

I've used an osborne brush on log home restoration work and it got into most places and did a good job. Its a abrasive embedded nylon bristled cup type brush for a buffer. I had a machinist make an adapter so that I could use it on a right angle drill.

Draw knife and patience has worked for me.
Take care of yourself - make sure to wear a dust mask whichever way you choose. Cedar is so toxic, the dust and oils released when cutting/sanding damages the sinuses and lungs.
Peace
TG