Window Glazing

BChester

Hello,
What is the most efficient way to re-glaze windows? My technique is too time consuming and I'm sure that there are many little tricks to learn to improve speed and quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

ProWallGuy

What is your technique, and maybe we can tweak that.

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Digital Murals Installation

Humble Abode

I find the most efficient way to glaze windows is to... take them to Ace and let them do it... They have more experience than us and they do it cheaply. I am terrible at it and it takes a long time.

Don't get me wrong I would like to become proficient at it, but I hate to 'practice' on the job site.

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The NAPP
Milwaukee Painting Contractor

Tom R

Don't know if there's any 'tricks' to it, - - but I just roll it up into a fat string in my hands, - - while the friction is warming it at the same time, - - then lay in in place, - - and then 'push-and-form' it tight with one swipe with my 1" putty knife held at the angle.

Only way I know of getting any faster at it is with what comes naturally with experience.

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TR's painting

That's about how I do it too.

I take a handful and keep pushing off pieces into the sash w/my thumb. Then hold my (clean) putty knife at an angle and FIRMLY swipe it. If it's still a little rough, you can gently smooth it out with your finger. The corners can be a little tricky, and take a little practice.

Another hint that might be helpful..if the putty's got too much oil in it (messy and sticky), add some whiting as you're warming it up in your hands.

GMW

What brand are you using? I find I get better results with the UGL glazing compound than the DAP stuff.

Tom R

Welcome, TR's painting, - - T R Construction here, - - glad to see we're in 'ca-hoots'!!

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TR's painting

heh, yeah I noticed that.

My "T" is for Tim though.

Thanks for the welcome, Tom

BChester

I use the same technique it just seems to take forever and is a pain to get perfect. Maybe thats my problem...sometimes things aren't going to be perfect. Thanks for your help.

chris n

add some whiting

What is "whiting"?

Bret

There are alot of variables. If you are able to, place the window on a set of saw horses waist level, it makes it much easier. Also, make sure the edges are free of the dust and dirt that remains after chipping the old glazing out. After kneading the putty up and rolling it out, press it very firmly into the joint, then take a straight knife with one end on the glass and the other on the frame and drag at a constant angle. Allways use fresh putty that has no dried areas.
Wipe away the smears on the glass with a solvent.

TR's painting

Whiting is a powder (the same stuff they use to line playing fields).

Synko packages it too, and it's usually right next to their Patch-All on the paint store shelf.

At least it used to be..the box I have has lasted me for about 10 years.

AAPaint

FYI, whiting can also be used in most of your other putties as well. I know some guys who use it religously for puttying trim...it helps a good bit with keeping your fingers clean while using it.

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-AAPaint

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
Jacksonville Painters
Jacksonville, FL.

chris n

I have never seen or heard of it but will look this morning for it,thanks.

ppmc

I always make sure this is plenty of thinner on your hands and 5-1 and that will make the glaze very workable .

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AAPaint

Oh my....this is not good advice, I'm afraid.

I agree some spirits on your knife will help you to work it better, but I don't recommend anyone go dousing your hands with thinner, spirits, or any other solvents for that matter. You are SERIOUSLY risking your health to do so.

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-AAPaint

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
Jacksonville Painters
Jacksonville, FL.

LaPintura

Does anyone have any advice for re-glazing windows in an old house? Here is my situation...
There are windows that need reglazing but the sashes cannot be removed from the frame. Honestly, I've never attempted glazing, so I have an oppertunity to practice here. Even tho I've been painting for a number of years, I know very little about this and want to expand my knowledge/experience. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Joewho

It's hard to explain, the front edge of the knife should flat against the window. As you slide the knife, tilt the leading edge upward very slightly, while the top edge is still flat against the window.
Don't start and stop, make a clean sweep

paint_booger

A few tips I haven't seen yet ...

Be carefull when scraping the old glaze. If you hit a glazer's point, you might splinter or crack the glass.

Rather than neutralize the oils ... try changing the temperature of the glaze. It's not as sticky when it's cold. Put it in your lunch cooler.

After pressing the glaze on with your 1 inch flex blade, rub it the opposite direction with your finger > VERY LIGHTLY. It will eliminate the splits.

Don't put it on too fat, or you will make the window look bad from the inside. Try to keep it at the same depth as the interior is.

Make sure you push it into the surface enough that it will stick, and not roll off. If this becomes a problem, try smashing it in with a 5 inch flex blade before smoothing it with your 1 inch.

Priming the areas after scraping will create a dust-free surface.

Rub a little into the cracked glaze that doesn't chip off also.

If the glass moves when you are smashing the putty on, it needs to be secured with a glazer's point or two. Be carefull not to put the point in too tight. A quick shot with a heat gun will soften the old glaze so you can remove it and pop the point in.

Clean the oil off the window with a paper towel and some windex right away so you don't have to do it when it's dry. Be very carefull not to touch the glaze when you do this. I usualy smooth the putty with my finger <LIGHTLY> when I'm done, then again with the windex ... on the glass only.

Show the home owner all the broken panes before you start scraping ... they might think you cracked them. Most home owners don't realize how many broken windows they have. Walk around the inside with them, and do an inspection.

And finaly, if you are taking them to the nearest ACE ... go down in the basement, and have them teach you. Ore hire the guy to work for you. You can't out-source our entire trade. This IS one of out jobs! What's next ... hiring a scraping or caulking subcontractor???


GURU

ModernStyle

Last time I glazed a window I used the stuff that came in a caulk tube. I hate glazing windows, i hate removing the old glaze, i hate tearing up my fingers. I think the thing I hate most about painting is windows, I hate glazing them, painting them, staining them, breaking them. I do it, I try to keep the breaking to a minumum (3 last year), but I dont gotta like doing it.
I also love when they caulk the old aluminum storms on and you have to try to get them off without breaking them so that you can get to the chewed up looking window behind them. I hate windows ......

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