the painted surface
How To Reglaze or Repair a Window
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.
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.
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.
More helpful painting tips, techniques and how-to articles can be found by following these links.
How To Paint a Room ◊ How To Paint a Stairway ◊ How To Paint a Two-Story Room ◊ How To Choose Colors ◊ Six Step Color Choice ◊ Popular Color Ideas ◊ How To Choose Paint ◊ Tools ◊ How To Caulk ◊ How To Patch a Hole ◊ How To Patch a Crack ◊ How To Cut In a Wall or Ceiling ◊ How To Roll a Wall or Ceiling ◊ How To Paint Woodwork ◊ How To Paint a Window ◊ How To Paint Baseboard ◊ How To Paint a Door ◊ How To Paint Crown Moulding ◊ How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets ◊ How To Choose a Premium Paintbrush ◊ How To Paint a MDF Bookcase ◊ How To Paint Aluminum or Vinyl Siding ◊ How To Paint Over Faux Finishes ◊ How To Use Magnetic Paint ◊ How To Use FrogTape ◊ How To Paint Repair Water Damaged Drywall ◊ Hiring a Contractor ◊ Paint Stripper Safety ◊ Painting Louvered Shutters ◊ 2013 Color Trends ◊ Choosing Front Door Colors
