the painted surface

the painted surface

How To Reglaze or Repair a Window

p
a
g
e
12

Steps To Take When Repairing, Puttying and Reglazing a Window

There will be some small pieces stuck to the glass. This and old paint can be scraped away using the single-edge razor blade window scraper.

Next, sand away loose paint and oxidized wood on the window frame. Use a small piece of sandpaper folded in thirds being careful not to scratch the glass. Brush away or vacuum the dust and chips and evaluate the window. All loose glazing and peeling paint should be gone, the glass should be clean and the wood frame smooth, dust free and ready for a coat of primer.

Cross section of window, muntins and glazing.

Prime the wood frame with a good quality oil-based or acrylic primer. Priming will help the new putty adhere and add another layer of protection. Be sure to prime all of the bare wood, brushing it into all the corners and hard to reach spots. Any primer you get on the glass can easily be scraped away when dry.

Scraper and glazing combination tool.

When the primer is dry you can begin to putty the window. Knead the glazing compound until it is soft and pliable. Roll a small amount between your hands to from a rope of the compound about 3/8inch or 1cm in diameter. Lay this into the frame and use the flat side of the glazing tool or a stiff putty knife to push it into the frame and glass. Then use the shaped end of the glazing tool to go across the putty to smooth and shape it to form an angle. Try to use a continuous stroke from corner to corner. This is where the dedicated glazing tool is needed. Its unique design forms the proper shape and angle. Be careful not to use too much putty. Compare the repair to a window in good shape and try to match the angle. If too much is used or the angle is too steep the excess will be seen from the interior side of the window. You may have to go over the putty more than once to reduce the angle. If the putty develops little open pockets these can be smoothed over with a light stroke of the glazing tool or with your fingertip.

There will be some excess which should be cleaned off the glass and wood now. A light brushing with and old paint brush will work, just be careful not to gouge into the freshly laid putty.

The new putty needs to set-up for a few days to become firm and form a skin. This may take several days depending on the temperature and humidity levels. When the putty is firm it can be primed with an oil-based or acrylic primer. Now the entire window can be painted with the finish coat.

Finish up by carefully cleaning the window glass after the paint is thoroughly dry.

Help!
If you have found the painted surface to be helpful and would like to help us pay for the continuation of this site we encourage you to make a gift in any amount you feel appropriate. The support will be made through PayPal.

Links
If you have a website we invite you to link to the painted surface. Linking code can be found at; "Link to us". If you know a website owner please share this with them.

Thank you,
Michael
Editor - the painted surface

An excellent source for all of your film and digital camera needs....order with confidence.

Adorama Logo