You may be thinking that stained-glass windows are just for churches and wealthy people’s homes. But there is no reason you can’t enjoy the beauty and privacy of a stained-glass window in your home, too. If you’re a homeowner, then you know that repairs are just a part of life. And if you have a stained-glass windowpane, then you know that it can be a pain to fix when it gets damaged. For repairs or restorations to work properly, you must avoid causing more damage than what already exists. We recommend using fragile pieces of wood as cushioning tools. Read on for all the information you need.
It’s not always easy to tell when your stained-glass window has a broken piece. Again, restoring damaged glassware is a tricky task. You might need some help from an expert. And that is where Glass Express comes in. But when you get it right, the satisfaction of completing this project and seeing your work come alive in front of your eyes makes all those messy hours spent on cleaning up worthwhile. As you can see, repairing a stained-glass windowpane is not as hard as you might think. Hopefully, the tips below will help you get started.
Necessary Tools
Do-it-yourself stained-glass windowpane repair isn’t as hard as it seems. Here’s a list of the tools, parts, and materials you’ll need for your project.
- Protective gear: Gloves and eyeglasses
- Padded worktable
- Small wood chisel
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Cutter tool or sharp knife
- Soldering iron
- Shears
Remove the Glass From the Frame
Taking out a window is often necessary when it has been broken by vandals or negligence. The two most common types are wood windows, which can be removed through an old process, and metal-clad frames which must be unscrewed from the wall. Both tasks require some skills, depending on how DIY savvy you are.
A. Wood Frame
- Wear protective gear, including gloves and glasses
- Place sheets of plastic under the window to catch any falling glass
- If the entire window frame is broken, remove it slowly while standing away from edges where possible injury could happen
- Use a small hammer and chisel to clear the old putty. Work carefully so as not to break any of these nearby pieces. If it’s stuck on well enough, use your heat gun for 10 seconds. Then, push against an edge with force enough that will clear away what remains beneath the wooden frame.
B. Metal Frame
- Remove all the glaziers’ points- the small metal triangles that can be removed with pliers.
- Clean up any leftover putty and smooth the surface to make sure there aren’t any more bumps or ridges on it before applying linseed oil- which will help prepare your window for a new installation.
- With a few screws removed, you can easily pull off the old window frame
- Disconnect the frame by removing all corner screws. Then pull or tap on pieces until they separate. If it’s stuck together stop! Don’t damage the rubber weatherstrip with force because this will cause cracks which can lead to further problems down the road.
- Use a rubber mallet or pry apart the frame with a screwdriver to remove any stuck pieces.
- Remove the remaining or damaged pieces and discard them properly.
- Put down plastic sheeting under both windows and the padded work surface.
Inspect the Windowpane For Any Cracks or Breaks
Start by placing the window on a flat, padded work surface and remove any pieces of broken glass with pliers. You can also get creative and use different-sized pieces of wood so that the window is raised just enough for you. Work carefully so as not to damage nearby glass or foil-sided wall panels. If there is still an intact piece remaining after your gentle touch fails, use scrap wood beneath it for extra support before scoring their location using either a cutter tool or sharp knife. Place the cutter or pliers carefully against the scored line and give it a quick tap with your hand. The glass should break along those score lines easily enough, then you can remove pieces as needed.
Solder Around the broken Area
With the soldering iron heated up, drizzle some solder around your repair area until it is well adhered to. Once you have cleaned up all of the extra solder and loose foil, remove any neighboring glass without damaging it. There should now be an outline hole where your missing piece once was.
Determine the Size of the Damaged Part
To make a replacement for the lost piece, first, place some scrap wood underneath it in contact with your back window. Place another pattern paper on top so that you are directly beneath where there’s an outline of missing glass and trace around them both using sharp pencils or pens – this will help figure out exactly what size pieces are needed.
Test-Fit the Replacement Glass
Once you have the replacement glass, cut out a piece of it with pattern shears. Make sure to test-fit this in place and trim away any excess before gluing them together. Use a felt marker to trace around the pattern, then cut it out. Scrubbing up any residue with glass cleaner and drying thoroughly before putting away will help keep your newer pieces looking their best.
Foil the New Piece of Glass
If any of the foil around your repair area is pulled away, cut new pieces to fit and smooth them into place. Use a fid for maximum accuracy when slipping the replacement glass into the right position. The scrap wood beneath the glass will hold everything strong enough while you’re up high doing this job.
Final Touches
Apply brush flux onto the repair area. Solder up the replacement piece, being careful to match its seams with those on your window. Do not overdo the soldering but ensure it is just enough for the existing seams.
Finally, smooth the seams, blending the old and new solder points. Keep the soldering iron moving and don’t let it sit in one spot for too long. Solder the seams on the backside of the window. Let it cool completely before cleaning the window using an appropriate cleaner and paper towels. Only after drying should, you put on a patina similar to the original.
