Dura-Kote any good?

[pappy19]

I am about to start a re-finishing project on my log home. I had originally used the Behr rawhide finish and it didn't last 3 years. We tried to sue them but missed out on a large class action law suit and now will only receive the vale of the original product. That being said, I am now faced with a corn cob blasting cost of at least $10k and then the cost of the new finish product. Along comes Dura-Kote and they claim that you can spray their product over the existing finish and it will last 15 years. If this is true, then I will have found the perfect solution and it will save me alot of money.

I am asking if anyone knows anything about this product, good or bad. Thanks.

 

[KentT]

I am asking if anyone knows anything about this product, good or bad. Thanks.

Pappy, I don't really know anything about DuraKote, but in my own research for stains for the log house I'm building, it appears that whatever you put on there must be "breathable." You can't use normal paint, shellac, varnish, or other waterproofing types of products that seal the grain of the wood. It won't stay on there. It must be something that soaks into the wood -- and the deeper the better. Semitransparent stains sink in more than opaque stains, so they'll last longer and won't flake or peels as much...

If you haven't already, I'd suggest you do some research for stains especially designed for log and timber homes, and make a choice from there. I've heard good things about both Sikkens Cetol and Sashco's products -- I'm leaning toward their Transformation brand -- which is especially designed for renewing old log homes. You may want to read the comparison report downloadable from here:

Sashco, Inc. - Transformation Stain Competitive Report

Permachink's Life-line Ultra is the ONLY water-based log stain that I've heard/read anything good about -- and in general, water-based stains are more expensive and don't last as long as oil-based. A couple of specific brands I'm also hearing largely bad things regarding longevity about are Woodguard (oil-based) and UV-Guard (water-based).

Here's a good link to compare relative prices:

Exterior Log Home Finishes

One small brand that I've not heard much about, good or bad, but I'm researching heavily is Superdeck's log siding products. I've heard very good things about their deck stains and just got some samples of their products to try them out for myself.

Easy Steps to Super Siding

Hardware store/home supply stuff isn't going to be durable enough to satisfy you. And having spent what you're spending for corncob blasting, I'd be reluctant to experiment...

 

[pappy19]

Kent-

Many thanks for taking the time to write such a great reply. I have looked at Sikkens and what turned me off with their product was how many coats you must apply for it to work. I do like the comparison review on the Sashco site and that product looks promising. I am very partial to a straight oil base finish rather than a "slick" finish. I was talked into the Behr Rawhide product by my builder, and am very sorry I didn't put my foot down and demand the oil base, but that's hind sight. If I had new, unfinished logs, there is no doubt that I would apply the oil base. With all of the other types, the refinish takes a cleaner, brushes, and then 2-3 product applications. With an oil base, it just a matter of powerwash, let dry, and then spray another coat. It's usually a lindseed oil base with some other stuff added for longivity, insects, mold, etc.

Anyway, I found the web site for Duracoat(the correct spelling) and it still may be a possibility. Thanks again for your info-

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