West Coast Restoration - Log home restoration

Behr Liquid Rawhide removal information

Behr Liquid Rawhide was involved in a class action lawsuit in Washington State totaling more than 55 million dollars. The reason for the class action was because of Behr's failure to protect wood (decks, log homes, fences, etc) from mold growth. West Coast Restoration has removed liquid Rawhide from log and cedar sided structures for several years now and would like to explain the process for doing so. First of all, let’s put to rest that Behr can be media blasted off. The reason for this is because when Behr is applied it does not harden, and multiple applications (as many as 3 to 6) form a tacky finish. To attempt to remove Behr Rawhide with media blasting will end just pushing the product along the substrate, damaging the wood or not being effective at all, again depending on how many applications have been applied. West Coast Restoration has restored homes where the last application of Behr was 4 years prior and we're still able to put our thumbprint on the stain/log.

Chemical stripping using environmental strippers Sodium Hydroxide (10 to 13 Ph), or Methylene Chloride (Ph unavailable ch2cl2) are alternatives, however it may require more than one application to remove the Behr. Also, both Sodium Hydroxide and Methlyene Chloride are toxic and must be neutralized (oxalic acid Ph 1 to3) to bring the Ph to nuetral 7 for proper Stain adhesion and compatibility. In most cases have to sand of buff logs since this process will raise the grain of the wood.

One of the issues related to chemically removing Behr is that all log homes leak to some degree. The stripping chemicals need to be pressure washed off and in turn can create water and stripper intrusion to the interior on the home. The option to prevent this would to have workers inside the house with towels, which may not always work. Also, using chemicals will result in breaking down wood fiber.

So the question is, how to remove Behr?

If you live in a wood sided house using rough-cut material, or shingled you can replace the siding/shingles. Do this before re-applying the new siding apply pre-stain on all sides.

You may be able to chemically strip since stick frame construction if different than log home construction for obvious reasons. Just keep in mind that unless you’re using an environmental stripper you will be breaking down wood fiber and using most likely toxic stripper.

Log homes, depending on how many Behr applications have been applied, may need to sanded of grinded off. This process is labor intensive and takes time but with excellent results. All Behr restoration projects should have a stain/preservative that has mold preventive solids. Contractors should be specialized in Log home restoration and have working knowledge of Behr. Behr restoration projects are difficult and require skills above normal restoration practice. Check contactor references of Behr houses done at least 3 years prior (all house’s look great once completed) and contractor insurance, etc.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have:

Office: 360-933-4030
Cell: 360-961-3220