The SHiny temptation

You’ve seen those glossy log homes on the internet—each beam gleaming like a polished gem. The finish seems to defy nature itself. But pause momentarily and ask: Does that shiny plastic look suitable for outdoor nature’s wood? Do we want to be “blinded by the light” when we come home after a long day?

And no, I’m not referring to Bruce Springsteen’s iconic song “Blinded by the Light,” although it’s an absolute classic! Instead, let’s journey back to a time when log homes were commonplace in this country. Imagine Grizzly Adams living in a shiny log home. It just doesn’t feel right, does it?

The Natural Beauty of Wood

So, what bestows incredible beauty and makes it look natural? It’s wood that has depth to its color, without fading, and appears uniform and vibrant. Imagine a deep, rich wood tone finish that doesn’t distort the light, allowing the natural wood grain to show through. That’s the sweet spot—the balance between nature’s authenticity and the beautiful log home we dreamed of.

The Perils of The Shiny Shoe Polish Look for Log Finishes Outdoors

Now, let’s discuss the pitfalls of having that excessive shine. Anyone who paints knows that a glossy finish mercilessly highlights imperfections. Applying to textured surfaces, such as wood, can create an uneven, patchy appearance. And those multiple coatings? They make it shinier, more unnatural, and a nightmare to deal with when you refinish it next time.

BUYER ALERT! Going shiny also means it’s headed for a place one day where pressure washing will never be the only thing you’ll need to do to keep it that way! Say hello to stripping, sanding, and, eventually, media blasting—never with ours, just a clean and reapply! Expect to have to blast, strip, and/or sand to get back to the original look you thought you liked for a shiny choice.

Behind the Mirror of Shiny Stain Finishes

Why do some wood sealers end up making our surfaces look like mirrors? Well, it boils down to the type of product:

1. Organic Oil-Based Sealers contain organic film-forming components, such as linseed oil or polyurethane additives. They leave a polymerizing film build-up that can become shiny with several coats and, with it, becomes patchy and will propagate black mold like wildfire.
2. Water-Based Sealers can be either acrylic, propylene glycol-based, or polyurethane-based, and they, too, with their required multiple coatings, will create maintenance havoc.

Choosing Wisely

Choosing between a shiny, shoe polish, plastic log look or nature’s natural wood log look is a no-brainer for me. Wise and shiny wood shouldn’t be in the same sentence:(

On the other hand, a natural wood finish offers a timeless allure, akin to the beauty of outdoor nature. All it will ever need is cleaning and reapplication when that time comes. So, consider the balance when you’re standing in front of that log home, envisioning your own Grizzly Adams lifestyle. Let the wood speak—subtle, authentic, and captivating.

Remember, trees don’t grow shiny, but they do grow stories. 🌲✨

Is there an alternative to those multiple coatings that leave the log shiny? One that will give you and maintain for many years that rich, natural log look you so love without the long-term issues. One that will protect the wood against UV and water damage and highlight the natural wood grain!… Yes, there is!!!

The answer is Sundance’s LOG*1 COAT!

First off, our Sundance LOG*1 COAT is a one-of-a-kind application! We use only highly refined paraffinic, mineral, and long oil alkyd resin oil bases with very low solvent content and high solids to deliver a longer-lasting, natural, uniform, vibrant, and deep, rich wood tone (No Blinded the Light) finish. The viscosity of our oils creates the perfect sweet spot to penetrate deeply and protect the inside out from water damage and wood rot. It also delivers the trans oxide pigmentations that prevent your logs from oxidizing (turning gray) and present the natural wood finish look you so love! They are not a polymerizing form of hardening film on top of the wood, waiting to peel or be sanded off. They accentuate the beautiful wood look you desire, eventually fade, and need just a good cleaning and reapplication!

It will look just as beautiful as the first time you did it! You will love it forever, and your log home will love you forever back!

Order some free samples!