You ask,

I have used Mad Dog for many years and this is the first time I have run into this. Started priming in the morning around 9:30 it started to sprinkle. Stopped and by 12:00 it was raining good. Went back the next day 11:00 and finished what I had done the day before. Some of the surfaces have a crackle look to them. My question is can I just put more Mad Dog on and re-coat. Or do I have to sand it all off? Please let me know as I would like to finish the job tomorrow.

and Steve’s solution,

Bubbles are caused by moisture in the wood.  This moisture is escaping too fast and it is pushing the paint off.  The Mad Dog solution:Lance the bubble with a razor and let them dry down. Most of the project should go back to original state. The bubbles which sag will need to be removed and re-coated.  Allow the surface to dry out thoroughly with about a week of good weather.  Make sure to test the wood to be sure it is dry with a moisture meter gauge. They range in cost, normally around $50 at your local hardware store.  The ideal moisture content should be around 15%.

Aaron writes:

Steve,

I have another question for you. I am quoting a job for a homeowner. It is a log home that has been previously stained with a semi transparent stain. I will prep it obviously before I restain it as the client wants a solid stain applied this time. My question is would you suggest using MDP or your Deck Fix MDP for this application. The client wants a quote with and without Mad Dog. Where I live their are only a handful of log homes so I don’t run into this very often.

Steve answers:

Aaron. Thanks for trusting our product as an option on the job.  My experience as a contractor and selling MDP is as follows.  A log home is extremely porous and flexible and fairly unstable as a substrate.It expands and contracts at all different rates because of the variable structure of the log.  Especially true on the sides of the home which receive the most exposure.

MDP is what I would recommend.  There really isn’t another product on the market which has the ability to fill and expand and contract over the long term.

Just like the cracks in a deck, you should not try to lather on the product so it fills up the cracks.  Apply MDP into the cracks as a flood coat… and let is soak in for a few minutes.  Then, dry brush it out as you move along.  This way the coating has fully penetrated into the areas and will protect it.  My experience with filling up the gaps and cracks with say, caulk, will look good for a season or two….. but then will start to let loose and start to peel off like string.  that’s good if you are doing a promo for a spaghetti factory but not for the average customer.

The MDP will coat the building like glue and not let go. the paint will stick to the MDP. Very good long term system.

The best system to advise is:

• 1 coat MDP with perhaps 1 cup of water to easy flow and penetration. two light coats on the extremely worn areas.
• 1 coat of Satin latex paint (Moore-Gard)
• 1 coat of flat latex paint (Moore-Gard)

This is pretty much a bullet proof system and will last years and years.  You will have to do touch up and some maintenance. It should last more than a decade between paint jobs.