I recently purchased a log home that is circa 1860 in Door County, Wisconsin . The interior of the log has stayed pretty much the same color but the outside of the lof appears charcoal color and much more frail. I know I have to treat the exterior as moisture just absorbs into the wood. How do I treat it? Boiled or unboiled lindseed oil or some other product? Perplexed! Thank you.
If you want to maintain the look I would recommend applying a good coat of Shell Guard borate treatment that will help stop rot and bugs. DO NOT put linseed oil on it. It will turn black over time and is not good for the wood. If you want to put stain on it it will need to be media blasted, Osborn brushed and stained, but you will have maintenance on it every 3 years with this option and it will look like a modern home.