Mildew on Log Home

3 years ago I had my log home sand blasted to remove a solid stain that had been previously applied. I re-stained the house using California Storm Stain Semi-Transparent oil based. Mildew problems have been terrible with this new stain.

I want to clean the house with Jomax or tsp/bleach and re-stain. My question, should I use a latex product this time around? My understanding is the mold tends to feed on oil based stain and latex would be a better alternative. Has anyone used California storm-stain latex based semi-transparent?

Also, do folks have good luck with Jomax?

Thanks Bob

 

I'm not familiar with california coatings.

Latex does tend to be more mildew resistant than oil base although there is an extra mildewcide that can be added to the stain. I've not seen any latex semi-transparent stains [latex is usually solid color stain] but there are a number of waterborne stains that come in clear, translucent and semi-transparent. I've mostly used SWP's version of these stains and haven't noticed any unusual mildew growth with them. Does california paints say it's ok to top coat their oil stain with their latex?

Jomax is a good product although I tend to mainly just use a bleach water solution. The 2 key factors in mildew growth is moisture [like dew that doesn't evaporate 1st thing in the morning] and heat. Shaded areas are more prone to mildew than areas with full sun.

 

Thanks for the response,.

The California product is said to be “100% acrylic latex urethane fortified”. How does that different from a water based product? I guess I was confused, I thought that water based and latex meant the same.

Does SWP stand for sherwin williams? My neighbor did his log home with SWP ~5 years ago. I was just looking at the can it was a semi-transparent water based product. He has not experienced any mold and has sun exposure simulair to mine. That is a plus for sherwin williams. I will say that his product will scratch off easy with a finger nail where this does not happen at all with California.

The additive is interesting but figured it was a gimmick. If it was so good why don’t the manufactures add this to their product?

Thanks Bob

 

The manufactures include a mildewcide in their coatings but it isn't always enough for some locations, especially in the S.E. where there is a lot of humidity.

SWP = sherwin williams paints

Waterborne coatings aren't latex but they clean up with soap and water. Latex is always water based but acrylic can both refer to latex house paints or solvent based automotive coatings. Solvent base coatings usually dry to a harder film than latex does with waterborne inbetween [but closer to oil base] I've not noticed any of the SWP wsterborne coatings being easily marred but I've mostly used their interior enamel or deck stains. Waterborne stains can only be recoated while the previous coat is still tacky or after they have weathered sufficently. It's posible your friends home didn't have the stain applied correctly.

 

Besides SWP, who else uses Waterborne coatings? Thanks for your help on this. Bob

 

Hey there is a product on the market that is offered through miracle shield coatings called g-plasticoat[/U][/B]. Has a tremendous mildew/fungicide in it, and it can be tinted too! I think it is $45 or so a gallon...price comparable with similar stains, but beats staining every yead!

 

Most national paint manufactures have a waterborne line of paint/stains.