Do your wooden windows look dilapidated and do not completely correspond to the general interior of the apartment? Ordinary seasonal painting no longer helps to cope with this problem? Do not rush to change them to new and expensive window designs. Believe me, even the old windows that have served you with faith and truth for more than a decade can be put into proper form. Restoration will help you with this. Of course, over time, even multifunctional windows may cease to please you, because progress does not stand still. Among other things, the frames begin to crack, and the paint from them completely peels off, they do not close as tightly as we would like. Take a chance and try to restore your windows and then they will look no worse than modern and new.
The restoration must be carried out in stages. First, unscrew the handles and take out the glass, then clean the frames from the remnants of old paint. This stage is considered the most laborious and will require a lot of patience. Old coatings are removed in several ways: chemical, mechanical, thermal. Most often, paint is removed mechanically using a metal brush, coarse sandpaper or a grinder. The thermal method is used much less often – burning with gas, a building hairdryer or a burner, since these processes heat the paint and dangerous vapors begin to be released from it..
The simplest is the chemical method of removing paint with the help of special cleaning agents. Unlike the previous methods, the chemical wash only affects the top coat, while the wood is not damaged. In addition, washes are much easier to work with, especially if you buy a helium remover. The gel is applied to the surface in a thick layer using a wide brush. Then you will need to wait fifteen minutes and you can start scraping the paint with a spatula. After that, the frame is treated with a sponge soaked in solvent and finally wiped with a towel. Whichever method you choose, be sure to work with gloves and a respirator.
The frames have been cleaned and you can now start to putty chips, dents and cracks. If you notice that in the corners the joints are distorted or cracked, then they need to be leveled and filled with special glue using a syringe. When the glue and putty are dry, the treated surface must be wiped off and only then can you start painting. Remember that for processing wooden frames it is better to use paints that are perfectly absorbed by the wood, are flexible enough, and are also resistant to atmospheric changes and dampness. Also, the paint should include substances that prevent the appearance of mold and mildew. It is better to paint with a roller in one direction so that you do not smudge the walls and windowsill.
When the paint is completely dry, reassemble the windows in reverse order. When installing the glass, coat the joints with acrylic or silicone, this way you will ensure a high level of sealing, and to seal the sashes, put a seal between them. The windows are ready, but the upholstered slopes and the old window sill will spoil the overall look, so update them. The window sill can be easily cleaned, processed and painted, but the slopes can be restored with drywall or plastic. By correctly, efficiently and correctly restoring old windows, you will get a new and beautiful look.
Can anyone provide step-by-step instructions or tips on restoring old windows without professional help? I’m eager to bring back their original charm but unsure where to begin. Would appreciate any guidance or personal experiences!