Most often, you look out of windows, although sometimes you look at them. And perhaps think about repainting them. But how does one know that it's time? A window's most sensitive part is the bottom piece of the frame. Something needs to be done if you can see cracks in the putty and paint here. We believe that you should frame your view in a neat way.
Good preparations will enable successful end-results. Start by washing, scraping, sanding, priming and applying putty before getting started. In this way, your windows will last longer without having to re-do the job too soon.
SEAL ANY LEAKS. To be able to paint properly, the wood must be dry, and the glass and putty must be intact. Otherwise, the window will be destroyed by moisture entering the wood. If you need to apply new or supplementary putty, start by lifting off the window frames. Remove any remaining sealing strips, and clean with paint cleanser. Pick away any loose putty. Press carefully with a knife between the putty and the wood – never towards the glass! Prime the window frame with oil and paint. Wait until the primer has dried before starting to apply the putty with a putty knife.
DO NOT USE A HEAT GUN! Do not use a heat gun to loosen old paint. There is considerable risk that the glass pane will crack. Instead, you can heat with an IR lamp that can be rented from your paint store.
TAKE CARE OF MOUNTINGS AND FITTINGS. Unscrew the window's mountings and fittings. Apply Vaseline to the connection fittings between double windows so as to protect from paint daubs.
SCRAPE THE FRAME. If the frame has been painted several times, start by scraping seams and joints so that the paint does not become too thick and prevent the window from being closed.
PRIME THOROUGHLY. It is very important that the windows be thoroughly primed, including the outside, with penetrating priming oil under the first coat of paint. Sand everything that is to be painted. Weather-greyed wood must be sanded down to healthy wood. Then prime oil all clean wood surfaces, including putty seams. Ensure that all leg-ends be impregnated with oil. Allow the priming oil to draw for 30-60 minutes before painting with primer.
Paint your windows in the spring or summer so that the warmth removes any moisture from the wood. You can then lift off the window frames and paint them outdoors.
USE THE RIGHT PAINT. Windows are less well insulated than other parts of the facade and are constantly exposed to moisture and condensation due to temperature differences between the outside and inside. It is therefore important to paint the window's outside with a special outdoor paint, and the inside and the space between outside and inside with indoor paint. Follow your paint store's recommendations.
NEW PUTTY. Add new putty in the same thickness and angle as the existing putty. Dip the putty knife in soapy water before smoothing so as to obtain an even surface. Ensure that the putty comes about 1 mm within the visible edge on the opposite side so that you can apply the paint 1 mm on the glass pane without it being seen from the other side.
HOW TO PAINT. Work the paint in with the brush and pay particular attention to angles and corners. Finish with a light and long stroke so that the paint obtains a smooth surface. Then wait until the paint has dried before closing the windows and putting them back in place. Otherwise, it will be difficult to open them again.
GO SLIGHTLY OVER THE BORDER. The paint should cover about 1 mm of the glass when you paint putty and frames so as to form a seal that prevents water from penetrating between the glass and putty.
PAINTING THE PUTTY. Place the window paintbrush upright by the edge of the putty. Press softly so that the brush reaches out to the glass. Turn the brush towards the glass and spread the paint.
If you have followed the above advice, your windows should remain in good condition for at least eight to ten years. Wash the window frames each year and check for any cracks in the paint, which can be easily sanded and repaired.
