Welcome to Perma-Chink Systems' Do-It-Yourself section! Here is where you'll find our Tech Tips, Videos, Instructions, and general How-To guides regarding our family of products. We hope you find this information useful.
If you're new to the log home care world, we have workshops available at our branch locations, and the ability for web/phone support.
If you have any questions not answered in the DIY section, feel free to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 800-548-3554 and talk to one of our knowledgeable customer service representatives. We're open 8:00AM to 8:00PM EST to serve our coast-to-coast customers.
Perma-Chink Systems namesake product, Perma-Chink, is the leading sealant for log homes. We've extended the same performance and quality of Perma-Chink in our other sealants, Energy Seal and Woodsman.
Below are our Tech Tips for all our sealants, including our Chink Paint, which provides an excellent solution to refresh old, but sealed, chinking.
Tech Tip |
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Tech Tip |
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Chink Paint Versus Chinking | Chink Paint (Textured & Smooth) |
Tech Tip |
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Tech Tip |
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Calculating Linear Feet | Calculating Square Footage | ||
Application Temperatures | Sealing Log Siding | ||
Energy Audit | Finding Air Leaks | ||
Freeze-Thaw Stability | Hot Weather Applications |
Perma-Chink Systems have the best stains for log and timber homes. While we tend to call our stains "finishes," most consumers are used to the phrasing of "wood stain." Why the difference? The quick answer is that stains permeate the wood, while finishes form a film over the surface, protecting the wood. If you want to know more about the difference, our tips below can answer your questions.
The Tech Tips are grouped below by how our system works. Like most things in life, success is determined by a strong foundation. So the first section contains information on getting your log or timber home ready for the finish of your choosing. Following the surface prep section, we've consolidated information about our finishes for both exterior and interior. The final section is dedicated to known issues with log and timber homes that all homeowners have to deal with, regardless of which finish they choose.
TECH TIP |
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TECH TIP |
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How to Apply Lifeline Interior | Applying Sure Shine | ||
Interior Color Coats & Topcoats | Finishing Floors |
TECH TIP |
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TECH TIP |
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What is Mill Glaze? | About Water Stains | ||
About pH | About Moisture Content | ||
About Moisture Meters | About Mold & Mildew | ||
About Resin Bleed | Preventing Mold Growth |
Perma-Chink Systems has a full line of wood cleaners designed to clean, restore, and prepare your home for maintenance. We cover the basic cleaning, as well as how to handle known wood issues like resin bleed.
Perma-Chink Systems offers wood preservatives designed to protect your home from insects and wood rot. Below are our Tech Tips for our preservatives, along with some general product knowledge on storing procedures.
Despite our best efforts, sometimes problems develop in wood that requires some more serious work than just stripping the finish or applying a new topcoat. Wood decay does happen, and it can be repaired if caught early enough. Perma-Chink Systems offers two-part epoxy products, M-Balm and E-Wood, to repair damaged logs.
If you're looking to restore your home's beauty through taking the wood down to bare wood and applying a new finish, we can help you with that, too. We offer S-100 and StripIt, environmentally-friendly water-based strippers.
All homes have pests. Log and Timber frame homes have specific pests that like to chew up wood, or burrow inside. For many pests, Perma-Chink Systems offers specific products to treat the wood, aimed at preventing damage from pests.
Tech Tip |
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Tech Tip |
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Pest proofing your home | Woodpeckers | ||
Carpenter ants | Ladybugs and boxelder | ||
Carpenter bees | Parasitic wasps | ||
Wood boring beetles | Wildlife damage |
We have a collection of videos covering common home maintenance tasks specific to log and timber homes. Below are our videos, which are also available on our YouTube channel.
Sealing Logs and Checks |
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Sealing Log End Grain | |
Sealing Log Checks |