From: finkel@sdi.com (Joel Finkel - SDI)
Newsgroups: rec.woodworking
Subject: Re: Window glazing
Date: 2 Oct 92 10:02:10 CDT
Organization: Systems by Design of Illinois (SDI), Chicago

In article <DRAND.92Oct1154519@spinner.osf.org>, drand@spinner.osf.org (Douglas S. Rand) writes:
> In article <BvG14u.L9r@acsu.buffalo.edu> bartnik@acsu.buffalo.edu (David Bartnik) writes:
> 
>    I'm in the process of repairing a few windows around my house before
>    winter and I have yet to learn the secret of applying glazing to the
>    windows without it sticking to my fingers and putty knife. Hardly any
>    of the glazing sticks to the window and what does looks awful. I've 
>    tried applying it warm and cold and nothing seems to work.  Any help
>    would be appreciated.
> 
> It's a pain.  First you take a bit and work it with your hands until
> it's warm.  Roll this out with your hands into a rope and press this
> rope into the clean and primed (or oiled) area between the window
> pane and the frame.  Once you've applied this bead of glazing,  use
> the putty knife to press it down and form a nice triangular bead.
> Once the glazing is dry,  paint with an exterior paint.
> 
> Make sure the glazing isn't old and hard.  You might be able to
> soften it with a little mineral spirits,  turpentine or some
> linseed oil.  Linseed oil makes a good thinner if you want a 
> somewhat softer and stickier version.
> 

	 Doug has a lot of good suggestions.  Allow me add a few more
	 learned from 3 years of experience:

	 0) Before inserting the glass, lay down a LIGHT coat of oil
	    (as Doug suggests) on the rabbet, and give it a few
	    minutes to soak in.  WIPE OFF EXCESS.  Then lay down a
	    THIN layer of putty to provide a bed on which the glass
	    will lay.  This cusions the glass, adjusts for uneveness of
	    the rabbet, and provides a seal on the inside of the
	    glass.  Press down on the glass with light pressure when
	    inserting the push points.  The excess putty will ooze out
	    of the inside of the sash; this can be smoothed and cut
	    off with the putty knife.

	 1) You need to find the proper angle to hold the putty knife.
	    Let's see if I can describe it! With the sash laying flat,
	    (you will start on the sash edge closest to your body), 
	    start with the knife handle pointing straight up, with the
	    back side of the blade towards your body, (the lower part
	    just touching the line of putty).  Now, tilt the knife
	    over to the right (towards the direction you will pull it)
	    about 60 degrees.  Now lean it back towards your body to
	    achieve the proper angle of the putty.

	 2) Hold the knife handle in your right hand and with your
	    left index and middle fingers on the blade, apply pressure
	    and keep the angle correct as you pull it along with your
	    right hand.  The lower right corner of the blade will ride
	    along the glass and the wood of the sash will hit in about
	    the middle of the blade edge.
	
	 3) Corners are the most fun.  Keep pulling at the proper
	    angle right 'through' the corner on your right.  Now
	    rotate the sash 90 degrees clockwise (keep it lying flat).
	    Start this next edge with the putty knife at the correct
	    angle, and press it into the corner on your left (half of
	    which you finished before rotating the sash).  The first
	    stroke is not sideways! It is straight up into the air.
	    This will result in a smooth 'mitered' corner.  Then
	    finish the side as you did the first side.

	 4) The trick is to apply the putty so that you cannot see it
	    when looking from the inside of the window.

	 5) You do not need to let the putty dry completely before
	    painting.  But it must be firm.  Different putties have
	    different setting times.  After sampling many types, I
	    found that DAP was the worst and NU-PUTTY was the best.

	 6) When painting, it is important to paint the glass as well
	    to form a good seal to prevent moisture from seeping
	    between the glass and the putty.  There should be about
	    1/8 of an inch of paint on the glass.  Extra paint can
	    easily be removed with a razor blade when it has dried.
	    Use a GOOD oil based paint.

	 7) Stop and take a rest when your eyes glaze over (sorry, I
	    couldn't resist).

	/Joel
-- 
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		     vote for RON DANIELS for president
  Joel R. Finkel   Systems by Design of Illinois (SDI) 	 finkel@sdi.com
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Newsgroups: rec.woodworking