It can be hazardous when inspecting and repairing windows, so take proper safety precautions. Some of the major replacement wood window manufacturers may be able to closely match frame profiles and styling of the old windows. It might end up being less expensive than repairing them. If a lot of them are in very bad condition, get a quote on having them all replaced. Unless the frames are totally rotten, you should be able to repair almost any part to return them to almost like-new condition. What repairs to them can I do myself? - Don H.ĭear Don: People are often surprised by the significant impact of window style on the overall appearance of an older house. I want to repair them, not replace them, to maintain its character. David Wixon & Associates, Inc.Dear James: The wood frame windows in my vintage house are pretty deteriorated.White Iris Restoration & Stained Glass, Madison, WI.Soccio Rodriguez Design, Monongahela, PA.Jack Wallis Stained Glass & Doors, Murray, KY. Brian McNally, Glass Artist, Santa Barbara, CA.Anne Ryan Miller Glass Studio, Nashville, IN.Nervous about repairing stained glass yourself, or looking to buy new? Here’s where to go: The putty mixture does a nice job of cleaning the glass and cames, so you’ll also give your stained glass a nice cleaning in the process. If you have the time and inclination, you can repeat the process on the opposite side of the window to further stabilize it. The brass brush comes in handy for getting into the crevices along the edges of the cames. Allow the remaining putty to dry for another few hours until it’s fairly hard, then use the steel wool to clean the glass and lead. Start in the middle and wipe the putty mixture toward the lead to further insert it under the cames. First, when the putty mixture is dry enough to be picked up with a rag (about 15 to 20 minutes), clean off the majority of the glass surface if the putty dries too long, it will be harder to remove. You’ll need to clean up the window in two stages. To get an even tighter fit, you can take a wooden stick and gently press down the edges of the lead after you’ve applied the putty. The putty mixture doesn’t have to be packed solidly into the lead-when brushed on, it will be forced under the cames and around the glass, and will stabilize as it dries. Step 3īrush the putty mixture onto the window, pushing it into the cames-in doing this, you’ll end up covering most of the window surface. You can add more black if you’d like to match it more closely to the color of the cames, although the putty won’t be too visible after you’ve cleaned up the window. I also recommend having a small brass brush on hand to help with cleaning.Īfter you’ve removed all of the old putty from the cames, mix the new putty, oil, and lamp black into a stiff liquid that’s easily spreadable-about the consistency of molasses. (You shouldn’t need more than an ounce or so.) You’ll also need something with a sharp point to clean out the old putty (dental picks work well), a small bowl and stirring stick (I like to cut down a cheap paintbrush so the bristles are short and stiff), and a rag and #1 steel wool for cleanup. The latter is now more easily found in liquid form than powder-you can buy it at Ace Hardware for $1 per ounce. To create the new putty, you’ll need a mixture of glazing putty, linseed oil, and lamp black. Start by gathering your tools and materials. Fortunately, the fix is a relatively easy one. Although the window may have no obvious problems, you’ll know it needs to be tightened up if the glass rattles when you drum your fingers over the surface. As the window’s original putty dries over time, it can fall out of the lead cames that enclose the glass, causing instability. Vintage stained glass windows often need repairs. If the panes of your stained glass are rattling, it needs an application of fresh putty.
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