Symphony FAQs

Q: Are water-based products bad?

A: If by “bad” you mean poor performing, no. Some water-based stains (like our Capture Log Stain / Cascade, Transformationg Siding & Trim, and Transformation Deck & Fence) will perform very well if good surface preparation is done and if they are applied in appropriate weather. On the other hand, it is also true that solvent-based stains (oil-based stains) are more forgiving when less-than-excellent surface preparation is done and when the weather is not as ideal.
Q: Can I apply Cascade by itself?

A: No. Cascade should not be applied by itself, unless re-coating over Capture Log Stain. Cascade has UV filters in it, but they are very mild. They are designed to protect the underlying stain, not all of the wood. Pigments are truly necessary to protect your wood from UV damage.
Q: Can I mix the Cascade and Capture Log Stain?

A: No, mixing the two will reduce the performance of both.
Q: Can I put Cascade over another product?

A: Depending on what that product is, yes. Cascade will work over most water-based coatings and over some oil-based coatings. The best way to find out if it will work is to test an inconspicuous spot on the home. If the Cascade wets the surface and doesn’t “fish eye” or bead up, you’re most likely OK to go. Be sure to check with the manufacturer of the other product to ensure that there are no problems covering up their products with the Cascade. Also, be aware that Sashco cannot guarantee performance of Cascade over another product.
Q: Can I put Sashco’s Capture / Cascade over any of the Transformation stains?

A: No. For maintenance, it’s best to use more of the same kind of stain, or Cascade over Capture. If and when you have to strip the home back down to bare wood in the future, you can choose to switch to another of our stains at that time.
Q: Can I put Transformation Siding & Trim over Capture Log Stain / Cascade?

A: For maintenance, it would be best to use more Capture Log Stain and Cascade (or just Cascade, if the Caputre is still in good shape). If and when you need to completely strip the home down to bare wood, you can certainly choose at that time to switch to one of our other stain products.
Q: Can I tint the Cascade?

A: Yes, but it is not recommended because it is very hard to achieve color consistency.
Q: Can I use Transformation Deck & Fence on my wood siding, like on my shed, or on my log home?

A: It is best to use Transformation Deck & Fence for its intended use – on decks and fences. For siding, use Transformation Siding & Trim. On log and timber frame structures, use Transformation Log & Timber or Sashco’s Capture/Cascade water-based staining system. Each product will achieve optimal performance when used on its intended wood surface.
Q: Can I use Transformation Siding & Trim on my deck, fence, log home, etc?

A: It is best to use Transformation Siding & Trim for its intended use – on wood siding and trim. For decks and fences, use Transformation Deck & Fence. On log and timber frame structures, use Transformation Log & Timber or Sashco’s Capture/Cascade water-based staining system. Each product will achieve optimal performance when used on its intended wood surface.
Q: Do I have to use Cascade? Will Cascade rejuvenate my existing stain?

A: Yes, you do have to use it if you stain with Sashco’s Capture. Here’s why:

a) The relatively tacky surface of Capture Log Stain, which is due to its elasticity, can pick up lots of dirt without Cascade (which dries a little harder than Capture Log Stain).
b) When Cascade is applied over Capture Log Stain, it brings out the “depth” of the stain, enhancing the grain of the wood and providing a soft luster that is very attractive.
c) Cascade provides the majority of the water repellency of the system.
d) Cascade has UV inhibitors that help protect the color of the Capture Log Stain itself, which means that your stain will not shift in color as much over time.

If a reapplication of clear Cascade is done 1-3 years after the initial application, then the overall system can be bolstered, both aesthetically and in endurance. Eventually, just reapplying more Cascade will no longer be sufficient, and at that point more colored Capture Log Stain will be required.
Q: How do I tell when I need to reapply Cascade?

A: Generally, loss of sheen or variations in sheen may be an indication that another coat of Cascade should be applied to your home. An annual check of the moisture prone areas – low courses of logs, upper curvature of logs, highly exposed areas – will often give you an indication that you need to re-coat. Wet the area in question, and if there is a color shift or an area where the water is drawn into the coating, it’s probably time for another coat of Cascade.

Apply to those areas that need when they need it. Annual re-coating is not necessary in all areas, although some areas might require it depending on how they weather.
Q: How many coats of Capture Log Stain / Cascade should I use? Why?

A: On the exterior, spray on and back brush in 2 HEAVY coats of Capture Log Stain. Follow that with 1 heavy coat of Cascade, sprayed on with runs brushed out. When the product is applied heavily it is able to build sufficient film thickness to protect the wood and provide several years of good performance. One coat is generally too thin, leading to less durability, which means more frequent re-staining will be necessary.

On the interior, one coat either brushed or sprayed on is sufficient, followed by one to two coats of the Symphony clear coat.
Q: I used High Sierra on my logs in the past, but now you’re saying it’s better for siding and trim and selling it as Transformation Siding & Trim. So what’s the scoop?

A: Transformation Siding & Trim (formerly High Sierra) is still a great stain for logs. It will perform just as well as it has in the past. Much like cars, technology improves over time. That is the case with stains for log homes. Since we first made High Sierra, stain technology for logs has improved. We know that both Transformation Log & Timber and Sashco’s Capture / Cascade system will last longer on logs, a much harsher environment for a stain than traditional wood siding. So, when it’s time to strip and re-stain your log home, use those products and you’ll have less maintenance over time. But for those customers who insist on a matter finish, Transformation Siding & Trim is certainly an option.

If you wan to, feel free to use Transformation Log & Timber and Sashco’s Capture / Cascade on your wood siding for even better longevity and less maintenance. These stains are proven to stand the test of time on logs, a much harsher environment thant wood siding. If they can last on logs, they’ll last even longer on wood siding.

In the end, the longevity and look you want will ultimately determine which of our stain you choose.
Q: I’ve seen different recommendations for maintaining my Transformation Log & Timber stain – one place says to use Cascade, another to use Transformation in Natural. Which is correct?

A: Refer to the Transformation Log & Timber Full Information Sheet for details on proper maintenance.
Q: I’ve used Cascade in the past as a top coat on my Transformation Log & Timber stain. What should I use now?

A: Refer to the Transformation Log & Timber Full Information Sheet for details on proper maintenance.
Q: I’ve used High Sierra in the past on my log home, but see now that it’s a new stain. What’s the difference between High Sierra and Transformation Siding & Trim? Can I use the new Transformation on my log home?

A: If you have used High Sierra in the past for log and timber applications, we recommend you switch to Transformation Log & Timber when it’s time to do maintenance. When it comes time to completely strip and re-stain the home, you can switch at that time to either Transformation Log & Timber or Sashco’s Capture / Cascade system.

Transformation Siding & Trim is the same formula as High Sierra, but is recommended for use on Siding & Trim. If you choose to continue using Transformation Siding & Trim on your logs, just know that it will require more frequent maintenance than our other stains made specifically for log structures.
Q: If Capture Log Stain collects a lot of dust on the exterior, won’t it do the same on the interior?

A: Capture Log Stain alone will remain relatively tacky compared to Capture Log Stain that is also top-coated with Cascade. A coat of Cascade on the exterior, or Symphony on the interior, will greatly reduce or eliminate this problem (plus enhance the overall appearance dramatically).
Q: What are the advantages / disadvantages of oil- and water-based stains?

A: First, let’s clear up one misconception: there are actually 3 different types of stains, not just oil- and water-based. Below is a brief overview of the types and their pros and cons. Sashco always recommends using a stain with some sort of film-forming property to it, as the film is where the majority of the UV protection is derived. And, as is usually the case, the higher-quality the raw materials, the greater the longevity and better long-term appearance of the product.

SURFACE STAINS: all are water-based. They penetrate only into the first layer of wood cells. (Sashco’s Capture / Cascade system is a surface stain)

Pros: Environmentally friendly; low odor; water clean-up; good water-repellancy; compatible with caulk and chinking; dries fast, excellent UV protection and longevity out of better brands

Cons: Some brands dry hard and rigid, leading to flaking or peeling; back brushing required; weather conditions must be warm for proper drying and film formation; lower-quality resins fall apart quickly with UV exposure

SHALLOW PENETRATING STAINS: oil-based, water-oil emulsions, alkyd dispersions. They penetrate 1-4 cell layers deep. (All of Sashco’s Transformation stains are shallow penetrating stains)

Pros: Good water-repellancy; can be environmentally friendly; excellent water-repellancy; excellent UV protection and longevity out of better brands; most brands compatible with caulks and chinking; more “forgiving” when applied in less-than-ideal weather

Cons: sometimes slower dry time; film-forming, which can lead to peeling or flaking when proper prep is not done; solvent clean-up; resins used can dry hard and rigid

DEEP PENETRATING STAINS: all oil-based. They penetrate at least 3-4 cells deep, often as much as ½” deep. (No Sashco products are deep penetrating stains)

Pros: Good initial water-repellancy; little to no flaking or peeling since no film is left on the surface; easily re-coated; great for decks and shingles

Cons: Not compatible with most all caulk and chinking; minimal UV protection; leaves oily residue on surface; picks up dirt easily; slippery long after application; solvent clean-up; does not last long (especially on log homes); darkens significantly over time
Q: What can I use to stain my interior or exterior tongue and groove ceiling?

A: You can use both Capture and Transformaiton Siding & Trim on interior ane exterior tongue and groove wood. Consider the following tips:

1) Transformation Siding & Trim is easier to apply on wood with a tighter grain and pores. It doesn’t dry as quickly as a pure water-base, which means fewer issues with lap marks.

2) Set up ladder planks or scaffolding so you can work across 3-5 boards at a time, which will help you avoid lap marks.

3) Apply a water-based sanding sealer prior to staining to close the pores of the wood. This will provide the ideal surface for good color consistency as you’re applying the stain.

4) Apply the stain with a sprayer, if possible. If you must brush, work across 3-5 boards at a time, going the entire length of the boards or to a natural breakpoint in the board.

5) If the heat is on (interior applications), consider turning it off. The heat will build up at the ceiling, causing the product to dry faster, which could lead to more lap marks.

6) Follow with 2 or more coats of Symphony (on all interior applications) or 1 coat of Cascade (only over Capture on the exterior), both of which dry harder than the stain and help repel dirt, dust, etc.
Q: Why can’t I use Cascade on the inside of my house?

A: Cascade was designed for exterior use. It is a “beefy” product formulated with mildewcides and fungicides, and it remains fairly tacky even when completely dry, which makes it inappropriate for interior applications. Our product, Symphony, is our interior clear coat and is great for most interior applications.
Q: Will the Cascade flake?

A: No, generally Cascade will erode and weather off over time rather than flake. The only time you might see flaking or peeling is if there was excess moisture behind the Capture Log Stain and Cascade to begin with, which is now vaporizing, pushing out of the logs and pushing the Capture Log Stain and Cascade off the wood, which gives the appearance of flaking.