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Request SamplesCommercial Project Update: 7-Year Maintenance at Columbian Park Zoo
Posted on: January 15, 2026
Restain Project Case Study
Zoo in Lafayette, Indiana USA
This commercial project highlight focuses on the commercial wood siding maintenance and stain reapplication at the Columbian Park Zoo penguin exhibit in Lafayette, Indiana. Installed in 2019, the project features Montana Timber Products siding that has been exposed to the elements for seven years.
We recently reviewed the results of a stain reapplication to demonstrate how the finish performs over time and to outline the specific protocols for maintaining commercial wood siding in sensitive environments.
Safe for the Penguins 🐧 (and Future Primate Exhibit)
When working in sensitive environments like a zoo, safety is our top priority. We are pleased to note that the Columbian Park Zoo is currently expanding to include a new primate exhibit (details to come), utilizing Montana Timber Products materials to ensure a consistent and safe aesthetic throughout the park.
As standard with all our products, these exhibits are protected by SEAL ONCE, a high-performance water-based sealant. Unlike traditional oil-based or acrylic stains, this non-toxic wood sealant does not create a film and does not flake. This is a critical distinction for animal safety, as flaking paint or stain can pose ingestion hazards. The ultra-low VOC formula ensures a safe environment for the penguins currently inhabiting the space and the primates arriving soon.
The Role of Installation
The siding for this project is Cedar STK with a Wire Brush texture. The wood has performed exceptionally well over the last seven years.
As noted in our technical documentation, water will find any spot left unsealed. The longevity of this exhibit suggests the original installers followed the critical “End Cut” protocol sealing every cut edge during installation to prevent the wood from absorbing water like a sponge.
The Reapplication Strategy: Touch-Up vs. Full Coat
The Columbian Park Zoo engaged a professional contractor for this maintenance. It is important to distinguish between a touch-up and a full reapplication, as the techniques yield different visual results.
1. General Best Practices (Touch-Ups) For minor repairs or touch-ups, our internal guidelines emphasize “finesse.” Because the stain is water-based and tints sink to the bottom, the can must be stirred frequently. When touching up a scratch or nail hole, we advise blending the stain lightly to avoid creating a dark, saturated spot that stands out against the weathered wood.
2. The Strategy for This Exhibit (Full Recoat) For this project, the goal was not to blend, but to revitalize the aesthetic with high contrast against the exhibit’s driftwood log enclosure.
- The Approach: The contractor applied the Aquafir™ Charcoal stain without dilution.
- The Result: Because textured surfaces (like Wire Brush) absorb pigment heavily, and the stain was applied at full strength, the result is darker and more saturated than the original installation.
While standard maintenance often involves diluting stain to match a weathered patina, this project utilized the reapplication to intentionally deepen the Charcoal tone, providing a bold, fresh look.
The 7-Year Reveal: Revitalizing Weathered Cedar Siding
After seven years, the Cedar siding was ready for a refresh. Since SEAL ONCE penetrates the wood rather than forming a surface film, the reapplication process was straightforward—no stripping or sanding was required.
The Cedar remains structurally sound, and the fresh coat has successfully updated the visual profile of the exhibit while continuing to protect the substrate.
Before & After Gallery
Columbian Park Zoo
Will update with sun orientation details once confirmed. Reach out to your local rep for any technical maintenance questions with Montana Timber Products. Contact Us