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Chinking & Caulking Application Tips

Your logs are going to move and sooner or later you are going to need to seal them. Follow the tips below to make this job easier and keep mother nature where she belongs—OUTSIDE. Please contact us at 1.800.490.3695 with any questions.

  • Apply log home chinking or log home caulking after a compatible stain has been applied for best adhesion and the least amount of labor.
  • Always use backer rod. Try Grip Strip Backer Rod or Closed Cell Round Backer Rod.
  • Use a spray adhesive for smaller rods or a dab of sealant to help hold the backer rod in place. Be careful not to apply the adhesive directly to the logs. 
  • Start at the top of the wall when chinking or caulking in order to avoid leaning your ladder into your finished joint.
  • Inexperienced contractors should start in a closet. Watch our videos for chinking help!
  • Apply only as much material as you can tool in 10 minutes.
  • Use a trowel or spatula that is close to the width of the finished joint size.
  • Need help loading a caulking gun? Check out our video now!
  • Wet the trowel only and not the chinking to prevent the material from running.
  • After smoothing material to the proper thickness then wet the surface and tool to the desired finish.
  • Avoid application in direct sunlight. No blisters.
  • Protect freshly applied material with plastic film or white tarps if rain is imminent during the first 24 hours.
  • Avoid applying material in cold or extremely hot weather.
  • Use a wet rag to immediately wipe up runs and drip marks.
  • Only apply chinking or caulking to wood that has moisture content of 23% or less. Too much moisture can cause joint failure.
  • Only apply sealants on logs that are between 45° and 90° and not in direct sunlight.

What do I need for chinking or caulking projects?

Assemble all of your equipment, tools and chinking materials together at the job site. Know where the electrical and water supplies at the site are located and be prepared with proper hoses, cords, etc. A secure, temperate area should be used for storage of the chinking. DO NOT FREEZE and do not allow materials to become overheated. If you are using a hand or air-powered caulking gun, check it for proper working condition. If you are using a battery-powered gun, have an extra battery pack available. If you are using a commercial pump, check it for proper working condition. Extra pump parts, such as stator, rotor, nozzles, and hoses and other maintenance parts will help avoid costly delays. Be sure to carry several heavy duty extension cords and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for operation of the pump.

  1. Chinking pump and/or bulk-loading caulking gun(s)
  2. Tool Pouch
  3. Clean, lint-free rags for wiping down log surfaces, for spills, runs, and cleanup
  4. Sharp knives suitable for trimming backer-rod
  5. Cardboard box or table for holding backer-rod while adhesive is applied
  6. Spray adhesive (such as 3M™ 77) for installing backer-rod
  7. Spray bottle for ‘release agent’
  8. Isopropyl alcohol – combine with 50% water for ‘release agent’ mixture (label for precaution)
  9. Masonry margin trowels of appropriate sizes (1/2” to 2” most commonly used)
  10. Spatula for scraping pails
  11. Sheets of heavy plastic or canvas to protect job site from spills and inclement weather
  12. Backer-Rod in appropriate sizes, or other backing materials
  13. Adequate quantity of chinking/caulking

Log Home Stain Application Tips

Protecting your log home with a quality log home stain is only half the battle. Below you will find some important tips for staining your wood the right way. Please contact us at 1.800.490.3695 with any questions.

  • Use a .015 or .017 tip size for your sprayer.
  • Never apply stain with a roller.
  • Never dilute or thin stain.
  • Read all label instructions and apply the manufacturer's recommended number of coats.
  • Apply the 2nd coat before the 1st coat is dry. Our stains work the best wet on wet.
  • Always back brush in order to work the stain into the pores of the wood.
  • Always apply a stain sample prior to starting job.
  • Always remove mold and mildew prior to staining
  • A stain is only as good as the wood it is going on.
  • Always remove mold and mildew prior to staining
  • Make certain that the moisture content of your wood is 20% or less. Too much moisture can prevent good stain adhesion and lead to peeling.
  • Apply your stain to wood that is between 45 and 90 degrees and not in direct sunlight.
  • Prep the surface of your wood prior to staining. (Blasting, Sanding or Pressure Washing)

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