Window putty repair how to#
Window putty repair skin#
Window putty repair download#
Window putty repair windows#

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.

Window putty repair windows#

I recommend using an oil-based paint whenever painting a metal surface.Ĭomplete all these steps (other than putty glazing) on the inside as well and your historic steel windows should be ready for another 50 years with only minimal maintenance other than regular paint jobs.Dear James: The wood frame windows in my vintage house are pretty deteriorated. You need to cut in a straight line with your paint brush and let the paint dry naturally in order to create a good seal. The paint should be lapped onto the glass about 1/16″ in order to seal the putty.

Window putty repair skin#

Some putty can be be painted right away, while others require a couple weeks to skin over before painting.

Press the putty into the glazing rabbets and finish the putty with a smooth bevel and clean 90 degree corners.įollow the manufacturer’s recommendations for painting the putty. You’ll need a putty designed for use on metal sashes like Sarco Dual-Glaze or DAP 1012. Once the primer is dry, you can proceed to putty glazing. Then prime all the metal surfaces with a quality metal primer. Treat any rusted areas with a rust treatment like Ospho (this step is fairly complex and is described in more detail in the e-booklet). Then, clean the glass as best you can before proceeding. Once the paint is gone, sand the surface smooth and wipe all the sanding dust down with a damp cloth when you’re finished. Use a ProScraper to remove any old paint. Scraping paint down to bare metal is essential here if you want your new paint to last. Once all the old putty is out, you’re ready for paint removal. The best way we have found to remove the old putty is using an inexpensive wood chisel and hammer, but be careful of the spring clips that hold the glass in place. There is also a possibility that it contains asbestos so you should have it tested before large scale removal. Old glazing putty on steel windows is often much harder than on historic wood windows. The process is pretty straight forward and mostly focuses on removing the old glazing and paint down to bare metal before applying fresh coatings. Historic steel windows are best restored in place, though with some effort, they can be removed from their opening and restored in a shop.

Window putty repair how to#

Pick up your copy right here! The Craftsman’s Guide to Restoring Steel Windows How To Restore Steel Windows

Detailed photos and breakdowns of each step showing exactly what and how to do it.

It is 12 pages of everything you’ll need to know about restoring steel windows.

Window putty repair download#

If you really want to get down and detailed about working with historic steel windows, you should purchase and download my picture filled e-booklet. I’ll discuss the highlights here in this post to give you a primer on the subject. We have put together a comprehensive guide to walk you through the process of how to restore steel windows. Well, that is something I would like to remedy here at The Craftsman. While much attention has been paid to restoring traditional wood windows by preservationists, historic steel windows have fallen through the cracks. Many steel windows sit and deteriorate across the country. Then, from the 1930s until the 1950s, they were a popular choice in residential housing due to the decreasing availability of quality lumber. They became popular in big cities to combat the fires that were so common around the turn of the 20th century. Historic steel windows are all across America.