WHAT IS PERMA-CHINK LOG HOME CHINKING? PERMA-CHINK is a flexible, textured, pure acrylic chinking and sealant with unrivaled durability and appearance. It will perform well in any climate for the life of your log home!

HOW DOES PERMA-CHINK WORK?

PERMA-CHINK fills the open gaps between logs. It adheres to the logs and stretches to maintain an impenetrable seal by following log movement.

PERMA-CHINK LOOKS GREAT!

PERMA-CHINK is available in six standard colors shown below that are designed to enhance the natural beauty of any log home. A sample card is available upon request.

White #207	Light Gray #212
Medium Gray #224	Sandstone #215
Beige #216	Stone #211
Tan #219	Brown #223

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING PERMA-CHINK?

• PERMA-CHINK is designed for both interior and exterior use.
• PERMA-CHINK has superior elongation, adhesion and durability.
• PERMA-CHINK remains stable throughout the freeze-thaw process.
• PERMA-CHINK is resistant to chemicals, salt spray, water vapor and mildew. It has low thermal conductivity.
• PERMA-CHINK skins over in less than two hours and cures in 2 -8 weeks, depending on temperature and humidity.

PERMA-CHINK IS EASY TO USE!

• PERMA-CHINK is easy to apply with a grout bag, caulking gun or a chink pump.
• PERMA-CHINK requires only one application.
• PERMA-CHINK cleans up quickly and easily with soap and water.

PERMA-CHINK IS SAFE TO USE!

PERMA-CHINK is VOC compliant and meets all current state and federal air quality requirements.

HOW MUCH AREA WILL A FIVE GALLON
BUCKET OF PERMA-CHINK COVER?

HOW DO I APPLY PERMA-CHINK?

For best results, apply PERMA-CHINK in temperatures of 40 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit, out of direct sunlight

LOG PREPARATION: Log area to be chinked must be clean, dry and free from loose or foreign materials. Do not apply to oily or glass smooth surfaces. Some paraffin based stains and sealants may cause adhesion problems (if in doubt, test small area for adhesion).

WORK TIPS: Wear old clothes and shoes. PERMA-CHINK is not easily removed from fabric. Always maintain a clean working area. Discard used rags, etc. in proper disposal containers. PERMA-CHINK that is allowed to dry completely cannot be easily removed. When ready to quit for the day, simply leave bag or gun containing material in a moderately warm place. The open ends of the bag or gun will form a "plug"; this will prevent the rest of the material from curing. When ready to begin again, simply squeeze the plug out, discard hardened material and continue. When reusing an open bucket of material, be sure to remove any partially cured "skin" before filling bag or gun.

CLEAN UP: Spills or runs must be cleaned up with water immediately. Once cured, it is extremely difficult to remove PERMA-CHINK completely.

1. How To Insure a Proper Chink Joint: It is better to fill a joint deeper than it is to make it too thin, because you need an adequate mass of material to absorb movement that will occur. However, no joint needs to be deeper than 1/2", regardless of the joint width. Proper backer should be used to bring the depth up to within 1/2" of the surface. Do not fill excess voids with chinking or caulking.
   
    
2. Two Point Adhesion: Chinking or caulking must be able to move when the substrate moves, and it doesn't matter whether the joint is in stress or tension, or in compression. The sealant material should adhere to only the surfaces that move, usually the top and bottom logs. If all the contact area is sealed, there will likely be a "cohesive" failure, or a tearing at the point of the most stress. Usually if a proper backer is used, this will allow the material to release if movement occurs, while still maintaining an adhesive seal at log surfaces. Proper backers are closed or open cell backer rods, normally used in concrete construction, or various "breaker" tapes may be used
   
    
3. Caulking Reservoir: A Caulking Reservoir must be created that will have enough mass to allow movement. For example, if a product advertises 50% elongation, this tells you that a space must be created which is two to four times larger than whatever movement is expected of the substrate. Basically if you expect an 1/8" movement, your joint width should be 1/2" to 3/4". So the larger the starting size allowed, the less likely there will be for log movement to exceed the sealant's capabilities. A good rule of thumb is Gap Width should be a minimum of one sixth of the log diamter (i.e. 8" log/6=1.3" finished joint width). Observation of this rule will help create the proper reservoir for performance.
   
    
4. Application Conditions: Of all the field conditions that are normally encountered, temperature and humidity are largely responsible for log movement. When the temperature rises, the logs will expand, and at the coldest temperature, they will contract. When you apply sealant during cold, damp conditions the logs will more than likely be at the smallest dimensions (after some normal shrinkage may have occurred). When the weather dries out and warms up, the sealant will normally relax. Conversely, if you apply your sealant during hot, dry conditions, the joint will be at its smallest point, and when temperatures fall or even turn very humid, the logs may contract and put the sealant in stress. Sometimes the contraction, or movement may be severe enough to tear the sealant.
   
    
5. Tooling and Finishing of Joints: All joints should be tooled by spraying a small amount of water onto the chinking and smooth to the desired finish. Always trowel in such a way as to form a good seal to the wood. Maintain a depth a little more than 1/4", as the material will shrink slightly when cured.
   
    
6. For Full Round "Chink Style" Construction:
   1. Select the correct size trapezoid rod that fits flush with the logs, (see diagram A below). Be sure that edges are flush with log surface and do not protrude. Edges that protrude may cause a "thin" or weak point in the finished chinking.
   2. Press rod into place and glue or staple securely. There should be no "give" to properly installed rod (see photos #1&2).
   3. Apply PERMA-CHINK so there will be a minimum depth of 1/4" over the entire rod, and not to exceed 3/8" (see photos #3,4&5). NOTE: For logs where 3/4" trapezoid rod is too big to fit properly, use 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2" round rod (see diagram B).

Diagram A	Diagram B
Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5

7. For Milled or Pre-Cut Log Systems:
   1. For proper installation of PERMA-CHINK, a backer should still be used. If the area is too small to accommodate a backer rod, masking tape should be used to create a bondbreaker (see photos #6&7).
   2. Once the rod or tape has been properly installed, apply PERMA-CHINK over the backer at a minimum depth of 1/4", not to exceed 3/8" (see photo #8). NOTE: As many of the milled log systems have very small joint areas, some homeowners do not desire the look of a full chinked joint. In this case, especially if the desired joint size is 1" or less, ENERGY SEAL should be considered instead of PERMA-CHINK.

Photo 6	Photo 7
Photo 8

SQUARE LOG CONSTRUCTION

Foam Backer Systems:

1. Many pre-cut log systems will furnish an EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)or Beadboard backer that may have been installed at the time the logs were erected, or it may be up to the applicator to install the board prior to the chinking application. In either case, the board should be installed as per the instructions furnished by the home manufacturer for proper performance. The board should fit snugly into the chinking area, and not have any gaps or sharp edges for the chinking to stretch over. Any fasteners used to secure the board should be galvanized to prevent rusting. Also take care not to sink the fasteners below the surface of the backer, as this will cause a "dimple" in the surface once the chinking material has cured. Remember, the smoother the backer, the smoother the chinking will be.
   
    
2. If the foam is not furnished with the home, efforts should be taken to secure the proper board. The use of improper boards may cause "blistering" from outgassing of the board. Always use EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) or Beadboard not Pinkboard, Blueboard or any other board that is not Expanded Polystyrene. The other extruded boards usually have a thin, transparent plastic film on at least one side. Beadboard has no film installed, and is easily obtained at most building supply outlets.
   
    
3. Log systems that are hewn flat on two vertical sides should have an Expanded Polystyrene bevel cut to fit the log profile as shown (see Diagram C). Once installed, it should be stapled in place to hold it securely. All "butt" joints should be fitted together tightly and if any gaps are present, they should have masking tape applied over the voids.
   
    
4. Pre-cutting the Beadboard slightly larger than the joint size will make it easier to handle. Finish cutting and installation should be done with a hot knife.
   
    
5. Log Systems that are hewn or sawn on all four sides should have Expanded Polystyrene cut to fit snugly into the chinking area, and pressed firmly into place taking care not to leave any gaps or voids between the logs and the foam (see diagram D). All "butt" joints should fit as tightly together as possible. Any voids or gaps should be taped over before applying any chinking. Any fasteners used should be galvanized and installed in such a fashion as not to seat them below the surface, possibly causing a dimple in the finished chinking.

Diagram C

Diagram D

Log on Log, or Solid Log Wall Systems:

1. Install masking tape over the vertical face of the joint (see photos #9, 10 & 11) . Take care not to cover the very top and bottom of the horizontal area the chinking must adhere to. This backer (masking tape) will eliminate:
   1. a cohesive failure or separation in the material caused by the PERMA-CHINK adhering tightly to the top, bottom and back of the joint area while experiencing substantial log movement;
   2. a small "fold" of material that may stick out if substantial log movement occurs; and
   3. the possibility of "blistering" of finished material due to the gases and vapors that escape from the log.
      
       
2. Apply PERMA-CHINK at the recommended 1/4" - 3/8" thickness, making sure the chinking is applied wide enough to go beyond the backer tape and adheres to the log surfaces (see photos #12 & 13).

Photo 9	Photo 10
Photo 11	Photo 12
Photo 13

Hard Board Spline Systems:

1. Install furnished spline in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
   
    
2. Spline board should fit tightly to upper and lower logs, with no gaps at seams or joints. In some cases, there will be a slot in the bottom of the upper log to slide the spline into, which creates a "floating" spline to accommodate any movement.
   
    
3. Apply PERMA-CHINK directly to the spline at the recommended 1/4" -3/8" thickness (see photos #14 - 17).

Restoration of Failed Mortar:

1. Use trapezoid or backer rod to fill horizontal gaps and cracks where mortar has separated from logs due to shrinkage. "Canned" expanding foam may also be used to fill these areas. Be sure to trim away excess before applying any chinking.
   
    
2. Expanded Polystyrene may be used to fill large gaps and voids where mortar has been removed (see photo #18).
   
    
3. Old mortar does not need to be removed prior to applying PERMA-CHINK, if it is solid and not crumbling (see photo #19).
   
    
4. PERMA-CHINK is then applied over the entire surface. Always go past the mortar to get good contacts to the logs.

Photo 14	Photo 15
Photo 16	Photo 17
Photo 18	Photo 19

HOW DO I STORE PERMA-CHINK?

Store buckets of PERMA-CHINK at moderate temperatures, in a clean dry place, out of direct sunlight. Although the product is freeze-thaw stable, it is best to protect material from freezing. Do not store in close proximity to radiant heat sources like fireplaces or wood stoves, as the excessive heat may cause the material to start curing in the bucket.

HOW CAN I RENEW OR CHANGE THE COLOR OF MY CHINKING?

Just brush on a coat of CHINK-PAINT! For information on this product, please click on the CHINK-PAINT link on the Logfinish.com website.

HOW IS PERMA-CHINK SHIPPED?

PERMA-CHINK Log Chinking is shipped in D.O.T.-approved five gallon plastic buckets that are packaged in strong corrugated cartons. 99% of our orders are shipped within 24 hours of order receipt via UPS Groundtrack.