The ongoing 'how to chink for cheap' saga

[Ernest T. Bass]

Hey guys,

I've pestered before about how not to spend over $600 on caulk for our vertical log cabin/small house.. Now that spring is around the corner, I've been giving it more thought and research. Since we've managed to come this far on a shoestring budget, I have a hard time swallowing the cost of the commercial sealers.

I found this Forest Service article that had some ideas.. Here's a couple quotes:

The Oklahoma State University of Agricul-
ture and Applied Science, Stillwater, Okla., has
reported a successful method of chinking with
spar varnish, linseed oil, and mineral wool of
the kind sold in batts for insulation. Exterior
varnish is brushed on the joints between the
logs. Before it dries, rock wool is tamped into
place with the end of a board about 3/8 inch
thick and 6 inches wide. Varnish or linseed oil
is applied to the exposed surface of the rock
wool by sweeping the brush over the surface
quickly to avoid deep penetration of the liquid.
Brown rock wool can be used on the outside
and white on the inside of the building. This
chinking adheres tenaciously to the logs. It has
enough elasticity to compensate for log
shrinkage except where the logs have twisted
badly. Where the chinking has broken loose
because of such twisting, it can easily be
tamped back into place. Insects and rodents
are not inclined to attack chinking of this kind.

And...

Asphalt emulsions, used in combination with such organic substances a s
wood fiber, or fine sawdust have been tried with varying degrees o f
success . Like calking compound it remains plastic (in a case-hardened
condition) indefinitely, adheres well, except when spread upon a we t
surface, and can be applied with a gun . The black color may be objection -
able, but it can be changed to suit the taste, after a first coat of asphal t
aluminum paint . Actually, with fresh, light-colored '.Logs it serves about
the same function as a black mortar outline around fireplace rocks . Car e
must be exercised in its application, for there is an inclination to produc e
stains .

Do either of these methods sound plausible? Could the rock wool in the first method be substituted with fiberglass?

I'm thinking I might try some experiments, but first I'd like to pass this stuff by you smart people to spot any obvious negatives, longevity, etc. This isn't a fancy full-time residence, so I don't mind taking some alternative-minded risks.

Thanks!

[glenn kangiser]

I have read a couple of other formulas on the net - I would say you may just have to experiment a bit and try it.

Fiberglass doesn't deteriorate it could work --- and it comes in pink also.

[Jens]

how about shredded bankers?  I hear they have great r-value.

[Ernest T. Bass]

I'd love to here the "other formulas", if you have them handy Glenn. I've been doing some experiments.. I tried sheep's wool but it seems to "bouncy" to compress into the seams.

Shredded "banker", Jens? That's either a perfectly logical suggestion that I have no idea what it is, a typo or a joke..

[glenn kangiser]

I don't remember where it was for sure.

Here is a bit of info and an offer of a recipe for asking.

http://www.bearfortlodge.com/bearfort_lodge/2006/08/log-home-repair-restoration-a-note-about-chinking/

Just found his recipe.

http://www.bearfortlodge.com/bearfort_lodge/2006/09/log-home-repair-restoration-replacing-chinking-and-fixing-logs-part-iv-chinking-and-a-chinking-recipe/

[Ernest T. Bass]

That's a really neat site, but I don't think a cement chink is my solution. The narrow seams would make it tough to drive support nails in, and trying to keep a vertical column of mortar from falling off the wall could be tricky..