Repairing Old Wood Windows
Step-By-Step

Average time to glaze a six pane window is about one and one half hours.

Do not purchase a latex-based putty in a caulking tube. Get the real thing, which is an oil-based product in a can such as Dap 33 glazing. When you first get your can mix it thoroughly. The best way is to remove it from the can and mix it. Note: I have been told that glazing putty shouldn't be kept for more than two years.

Expect that the glaze can take up to two weeks before it can be primed and painted. The reason being is that glazing hardens through oxidation, a slow process. More about glazing hardening »

After the epoxy consolidant (see previous step-by-step) has dried for a least two days, it is time to reset the glass. Be sure to clean each glass pane with a glass cleaner before installing.

Apply a thin bead of putty to the frame. One method is to roll out a thin bead and place it on the frame. Make sure the bead is large enough so that the glaze squeezes out for a good seal.

If the glazing is cold, you can heat the glazing putty for about 20 seconds with a heat gun on low. Then press the glass into it. The idea is to seal the glass against the front of the frame. You should see the putty squeeze between the glass and the frame. Some will squeeze out of the back and can be cleaned up later.

Once the glass is tight against the glaze, insert the points. We had to cut down some of the points we bought as they stuck out too high and pushed through the mullion.

Small panes up to 12" can use 1 or 2 points per side, evenly spaced, adding 1 point for every 6 -8 inches. To insert the points, put one against the glass with the point down into the wood. Use your putty knife to wiggle-push the point down until it is seated at a height below the final height of the putty.

Trim the putty off the frame that has squeezed out the opposite side.

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Roll a small bead for the pane's bed.

Clipping a glazing point so it will fit the old window

Be sure to use a small putty knife made for glazing, and make sure it is always clean.

Remove a golf ball sized piece and warm it by rolling it in your hands. Then, press it into the frame against the glass, so that the groove is overfilled. Neatness doesn't count here. Once you have done all four sides, pick up your putty knife and, starting in any corner, glide the knife over the putty, pressing it firmly into the frame and cutting off the excess putty at the same time. Move slowly, with the knife at a deep angle to the frame. Use your fingers for smoothing.

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Place rolled glazing around the glass.

Press the glazing in with your fingers.

The glazing removed with a putty knife

The final job.

The glazing must set a skin for at least 7 -14 days before you can prime and paint. The glass should be cleaned the second day so that all of the putty oils are removed. It is important that in painting the glazing, the paint flows onto a small part of the glass to make a weather tight seal.

Painting the window
From the alt.home.repair web site April 2003
It takes a LOT longer for the compound to skin over enough to prime and paint. If you call DAP about it, they'll tell you that it takes a minimum of two weeks for it to skin over enough. My personal experience is that 2 weeks *outdoors* will form an adequate skin. I glazed some new windows around Christmas time (the sashes are in my basement), and 3 months later they still hadn't skinned over enough. When I primed/painted one of them, the paint developed cracks a day later. What I normally do is to prime/paint everything except the glazing, rehang the sashes, then wait a few weeks for them to skin over and then prime/paint the glazing with an artist's brush.

Painting
If you used the epoxy consolidant to coat your window, sand it to remove the gloss, and then paint with a good acrylic. A primer is not needed.

I have fond that a small brush makes painting the glazing easier.

Brass weather stripping
After painting, add brass weather stripping. Be sure to use brass nails. This stripping will hold up well for years.

Back to: Part 1: Repairing and Removing Glazing and Paint »