How to Stain a Log Home with the Sikkens Cetol 1 and 23 System

The Sikkens (PPG ProLuxe) Cetol system is one of the most popular ways to finish a log home: a base coat of Cetol 1 RE followed by two top coats of Cetol 23 Plus RE, then a clear Maintenance coat down the road. Here's how to do it, step by step, based on the application procedures on our product pages.

What You'll Need

Step 1: Prepare the Logs

The best preparation for vertical log surfaces is sanding with 80-120 grit sandpaper. As an alternative, clean the logs: wet the wood, apply a cleaner or stripper generously with a pump sprayer, let it sit 15-20 minutes while scrubbing with a stiff brush, and keep it wet the whole time. Work on the shady side of the house. Rinse with a power washer, but don't exceed 500 PSI and keep the nozzle about a foot from the wood. Gray weathered wood, blue fungi or nail rust can be treated with Sashco CPR Log Cleaner & Brightener.

If your home already has an old Sikkens film-forming finish that's failing, it may need to be corn blasted to remove it before you start over.

Step 2: Let the Wood Dry

After cleaning, let the logs dry for three days so the moisture content is below 18%. Fill joints, cracks and nail holes with a color-matched caulk such as Conceal and let it cure before staining.

Step 3: Test Your Color

Always do a two-coat color and sheen test on a sample of your own wood. Color varies with application, porosity and wood type. Mix your cans together (intermix batches) so the color is consistent across the whole house.

Step 4: Apply the Cetol 1 RE Base Coat

Brush on a liberal coat of Cetol 1, keeping a wet edge to prevent lap marks. Saturate end grain, cavities and cracks, and back-prime the logs if you can. Work from the bottom up to avoid drips running down onto finished areas. Let it dry at least 24 hours.

Step 5: Apply Two Coats of Cetol 23 Plus RE

Apply the first coat of Cetol 23 Plus, let it dry at least 24 hours, then apply the second. Cetol 23 dries to the touch in about 12 hours and is ready to recoat in about 24; low temperatures, high humidity and thick coats slow it down.

Step 6: Clean Up

Clean brushes and tools with mineral spirits right away.

Maintaining the Finish

When the finish has weathered and lost some of its sheen but is still in good condition, clean the logs and apply one coat of Cetol Maintenance RE, a clear, non-darkening satin coat made for use over 23 Top Coat RE and Log & Siding. Don't wait until it wears through to bare wood. See our log home maintenance schedule.

Is There a Simpler Option?

Sikkens Cetol Log & Siding is a two-coat alternative to the three-coat Cetol 1 + 23 system. Compare all your options in our log home stain guide, or see which Sikkens product you need.

Questions about your project? Email Sales@TheStainDepot.com.

Oct 5th 2026 The Stain Depot

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