Painting Old Wooden Windows

[rockyroller]

tried a test before attempting a larger section. this will be another ongoing remote project that will certainly span the new few months & into following years. approval for a pro is pending but doesn't seem promising. hence me hanging out the window. I should count all the windows. they aren't all so dried & petrified. pretty much they just all need scraping, priming & painting

this sill took
- scraping
- 2-part, epoxy filler
- sanding
- primer
- final coat
(possible 2nd coat pending)

one tricky part of this is time. dry time. between the 3-4 application steps. on a warm summer day, with a small fan, the test was completed in under 90 minutes

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Why not just replace the windows instead?
I am aware the cost will be more (how much are all those primers and paints going to add to anyway? Plus your time?) but the property would really benefit from modern windows imo.
Good luck with the job if you decide to go ahead!

 

[annedonnelly]

I think that window is rather nice. A modern plastic one is unlikely to have all those lovely little panes. If the wood's not actually rotten and you have the time I'm sure you can make a good job of it.

 

[Gillstay]

I just rubbed down my windows and then painted them with a clear silicon based waterproofer thats good for 10 yrs. I might redo it a bit earlier but 8 yrs is way better than most paints.

 

[rockyroller]

Why not just replace the windows instead?
I am aware the cost will be more (how much are all those primers and paints going to add to anyway? Plus your time?) but the property would really benefit from modern windows imo.
Good luck with the job if you decide to go ahead!

👍 that will be for the next owners. there's no budget for a pro painter never mind window replacement. but yeah, they all need to be replaced. they're all single pane & there isn't a storm window to be found anywhere. we can't sell it with the windows the way they are now

 

[gbb]

At the time (35 years ago).I 'thought' id done a good job of scraping and sanding, priming and glossing our original windows (i suspect they were softwood)
Looked lovely...sadly within two years they didnt look much better.
I obviously hadn't done a good enough job

 

[rockyroller]

At the time (35 years ago).I 'thought' id done a good job of scraping and sanding, priming and glossing our original windows (i suspect they were softwood)
Looked lovely...sadly within two years they didnt look much better.
I obviously hadn't done a good enough job

aww sorry to hear that. so do you paint every 2 years?

this house was built 6- years ago in 1966. growing up, I remember pro painters re-doing the interior, at least once. no memory of the exterior being done. gotta assume the exterior was re-done at least once during that time ...

 

[Ian H]

Why not just replace the windows instead?
I am aware the cost will be more (how much are all those primers and paints going to add to anyway? Plus your time?) but the property would really benefit from modern windows imo.
Good luck with the job if you decide to go ahead!

It looks to me like a fairly early Georgian window. You'd have to spend a goodly sum to get something that wouldn't really spoil the look of the place (shame about the wall slates though).

 

[gbb]

aww sorry to hear that. so do you paint every 2 years?

this house was built 6- years ago in 1966. growing up, I remember pro painters re-doing the interior, at least once. no memory of the exterior being done. gotta assume the exterior was re-done at least once during that time ...

Probably about the same age as.mine, perhaps late 60s. I suspect your windows are made of far better timber, there are virtually no houses locally that still have the original frames, all long gone. Sobering thought that what outwardly looks a modern house...is actually around 60 years old

 

[rockyroller]

(shame about the wall slates though).

yeah dunno what they are made of. they have endured. they can use a cleaning & painting too. or the next owner can go crazy & replace or cover the siding

 

[rockyroller]

they don't make them like they used to, that's for sure. all of the windows operate as designed. go up & down w/o issues & stay where you leave them. none of them need to be propped up w/ a stick, like our condo windows

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I think that window is rather nice. A modern plastic one is unlikely to have all those lovely little panes. If the wood's not actually rotten and you have the time I'm sure you can make a good job of it.

It looks to me like a fairly early Georgian window. You'd have to spend a goodly sum to get something that wouldn't really spoil the look of the place (shame about the wall slates though).

Just my opinion, but I'd rather have a house with energy efficient windows.
@rockyroller did you say the property is a good bit away from your home?
Have you considered the travelling expenses, your food and drink while on the job, your time (more time than a professional would need), your discomfort (all day alone in a house that could soon get freezing), the cost of the materials you'll have to buy.
Maybe consider lowering the property's price because the windows need replaced?

 

[rockyroller]

Just my opinion, but I'd rather have a house with energy efficient windows.
@rockyroller did you say the property is a good bit away from your home?
Have you considered the travelling expenses, your food and drink while on the job, your time (more time than a professional would need), your discomfort (all day alone in a house that could soon get freezing), the cost of the materials you'll have to buy.
Maybe consider lowering the property's price because the windows need replaced?

200 miles & yes I’ve considered those other things & much more but for now I’ll be painting some parts of some windows