Paint windows – how to, step by step

Check that the wood is dry

Before you start painting, the window needs to be sufficiently dry. Check the moisture of the wood with a moisture meter. The moisture should not exceed 16%.

Scrape and paint the fittings

If the window has corner brackets, unscrew them. Scrape off any loose paint with a paint scraper or wire brush, then paint them with anticorrosive paint. Follow the instructions on the paint can.

Remove the sealing strips

Remove old weatherstripping from the window.

Wash the window frames

Wash the window frames with algae and mould remover. Remove loose or cracked putty with a knife or a flexible filling knife. Be careful not to crack the glass.

Scrape off loose paint

Scrape off loose paint with a paint scraper and wipe off dust with a dry cloth.

Tip!

Use a small scraper on the smaller areas to access details.

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Add oil

Oil all the wooden surfaces of the window frames – that is, all the surfaces you just have scraped. Put extra oil on the end grain and also oil the putty seam, i.e. the area of the window sash where the putty will lie.

Let dry

Let the oil dry according to the instructions on the can.

Sand away fibre breakage

When the wood becomes damp from water or oil, the wood fibres can rise, making the surface feel rough and prickly. So when the wood is completely dry, sand away any fibres that have risen with a fine sandpaper.

Painting window frames and putty seams

Prime the window frames thoroughly. Paint in the putty seam as well and let the paint dry thoroughly. In the next step, it is time to apply putty.

Use a caulking gun

Apply new putty with a caulking gun. Cut off the nozzle of the fog sprayer at a 45 degree angle and place the nozzle against the sealant neck.

Tip!

Also fill any gaps and cracks in the window frame with putty or wood filler.

Start in a corner

Start in one corner and spread the putty in an even flow. Make sure that the gap for putty is properly filled. Smooth the surface and remove excess putty with the putty knife. Allow the putty to dry on the surface before proceeding with masking.

Now it’s time to mask the glass. Use masking tape for outdoor use. Place the tape about a millimetre from the edge of the putty, so that the paint will cover the putty and a small part of the glass when you paint. This prevents water from penetrating between the glass and the putty.

Finish by screwing back the corner brackets. Then it’s time to paint.

Use plenty of paint

Apply plenty of paint to the window frames. Be careful not to drip on the glass.

Tip!

Use outdoor paint for the outside of the window and indoor paint for the inside, as well as for the space between the outside and inside. This gives the window the best possible protection against moisture and condensation. Windows are less insulated than other parts of the façade and are more affected by the differences between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Talk to your paint retailer for help in choosing the right colour.

Use different brushes

Use a wider brush for large areas and a smaller brush for crevices and details. Let the paint dry.

Paint one more time

Paint once more to get a really even coverage.

Remove the tape

Remove the masking tape before the paint has dried completely.

Done! Now you have windows that will stay beautiful for years to come.