How to Remove Sash Windows for Painting | 10 Simple Steps To Follow

The sliding sash windows are with us for many centuries. Regular cleaning, painting, and staining can keep it looking great for a long time. It is made in such a right proposition that it can be easily dismantled for repair or replaces a broken sash cord. Do you know how to remove sash windows for painting? Now I will adequately guide you about sash windows and the full method of painting throughout the article.

There are different kinds of sash windows available in the market, from which some are removable and maintainable. In contrast, others even can’t remove it; the only option left to replace the window. 

Some types are down:

• Plastic windows: These windows cannot be dismantled very easily. Plastic windows warranty lasts for ten years, but proper cleaning can lead it to many years. Once it is damaged, you can only replace it.
• Timber Windows: Timber windows last for centuries because of regular maintenance and painting.

Tools to Remove Sash Windows for Painting

• Flat pry bar
• Screwdriver
• Heat gun with nozzle shield
• Utility knife
• Putty knife
• Dremel with carving bit
• Natural bristle paintbrush
• Synthetic filament brush
• Ladder
• Dustsheet
• Paint kettle
• Paint

How to Remove Sash Windows for Painting

For removing sash windows for painting you just have to follow the below 10 steps:

• Get the sash out
• Free the glass
• Clean out the joints
• Apply the Epoxy
• Prime the sash
• Paint the sash
• Bed the Glass
• Insert the points
• Tool the putty
• Rehang the sash

Now, we will discuss the steps in detail.

Step 1: Get the sash out:

• Unscrew the stops. It means you have to take out the moldings from the downside of the sash.
• Take out the sashes on the window and take off the cords and chain on both sides.
• Now tie the cords to keep them from being pulled into the weight pockets.
• Now remove the parting bead. It is the upper sash part that holds on to the vertical strips.
• Now take the upper sash.
• Remove all the components like sash cords, chain, sash hardware, and store them in a safe plastic to use later on.

Step 2: Free the glass:

• By using a heat gun, set it to medium, soften the old and hardened putty compound.
• Now scrape the putty with a knife and equalize the by removing excessive putty.
• Pull out the metal glaziers from the wood.
• Now remove the glass.
• Point each point wherever you take out the metal glaziers.

Step 3: Clean out the joints:

• When you take out any sash, points may become loose or broken. To fix it, use Dremel to grind away loosens parts.

Step 4: Apply the Epoxy:

• To fill out the joints, mix the two parts of epoxy filler and 1 part of the goop to make a consistency like Vaseline.
• Now fill the gaps and leave it for 10 minutes. Take a knife and equalize all gaps and space lines.
• Wait overnight to set it properly.
• When it completely dries, sand it with a utility knife to remove the excess component.

Step 5: Prime the sash:

• To priming, the sash it’s essential to sand it so that primer sticks to it.
• For sanding, first, check the jointing compound is wholly dried or not? If it’s not dried, then leave it for 1 more day.
• When it epoxy wholly dried, then sand it with 100- grit paper.
• Now apply oil-based primer.
• Seal the wood properly with primer.

Step 6: Paint the sash:

Precautions and components:

• Glazing bars: Choose a brush of the right size to paint the glazing bars. Glazing bars are the vertical and horizontal design boxes in the window. Due to climate changes, troll its color, so it becomes necessary to paint this area. But painting this area is quite difficult. Whenever the rain comes, the water stays in putty to prevent it fill the junction between glass and putty.
• Paint kettle: paint kettle holds a manageable amount of paint, you can easily carry it, and one advantage is it will help you prevent the use of dirty brushes.
• Modern demand: The contemporary demand for paint is changed over time as if you have to choose a color you need to ask a reliable supplier for the exact paint.
• Long time storage of paint can separate it’s all components let all sets in the bottom of the box.
• Always examine the weather before painting.
• If you paint the glass accidentally, then it can be removed with a paint scraper.

There are two methods of painting: Internal painting: 

• Paint the glazing bars and inner sash. The inner sash includes the top surface of the meeting rail and the bottom rail.
• Paint the outer sash and the face of the meeting rail.
• Now start painting the lower sash.
• You can now complete the remaining outer sash painting. Leave it till dry.
• According to your color scheme, you can paint the pulley stile; it’s up to you either you paint simultaneously or later. If you choose to paint simultaneously, then paint the parting bead and the stuff bead because you take it off. 
• Finish the procedure by painting the lining, frames, and shutter. Paint one component at a time, and then move to another.

External Painting

• Reverse the internal painting steps.
• Paint all the visible surfaces, except the top surface of the top sash of the inner sash.
• Finish the painting on the inner sash and the pully stile together with cill.

Step 7: Bed the Glass:

• Put the sash in the direction of upward seems to be it shows its exterior side.
• Roll the glazing compound onto the long rope, gently press it between hands, and rabbet around the pane opening.

Step 8: Insert the points:

• To insert a new point in the pane, plant 2 points on each side of the pane. Remember, you must evenly point to level it.

Step 9: Tool the putty:

• Press another rope into the compound and put on the pane. Equalize it with a knife. 
• Please wait for a week till it dries. 
• Then put primer and paint as mentioned above.

Step 10: Rehang the sash:

• Now reattach all the taken of components as labeled. 
• You can use the same for weather stripping, but it is better to put new ones as it gets older.
• Reattach the hardware.
• Reattach the cords and chains.
• Now install the window back.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you remove a sash window?

To remove the sash, follow the down steps:

Get the sash out:

• Unscrew the stops. It means you have to take out the moldings from the downside of the sash.
• Take out the sashes on the window and take off the cords and chain on both sides.
• Now tie the cords to keep them from being pulled into the weight pockets.
• Now remove the parting bead. It is the upper sash part that holds on to the vertical strips.
• Now take the upper sash.
• Remove all the components like sash cords, chain, sash hardware, and store them in a safe plastic to use later on.

Step 2: Free the glass:

• By using a heat gun, set it to medium, soften the old and hardened putty compound.
• Now scrape the putty with a knife and equalize the by removing excessive putty.
• Pull out the metal glaziers from the wood.
• Now remove the glass.
• Point each point wherever you take out the metal glaziers.

How do I free up painted sash windows?

If you want to free up the already painted sash window, then:

• Hold the knife firmly in your hand.
• Run down the knife towards the painted joint between the sash window and its frame.
• Repeat it several times.
• Don’t damage the wood with a run knife between sash and frame.

How do you remove a double pane window sash? 

For this, you have to follow down steps:

• Unlock the jointing points let latches on the top sash of the bottom sash.
• Push the sash up.
• Push up several inches.
• Take out the locking tabs on the top left and right sash the pull it inward.
• By following this method, you can remove a double pane window sash.

How do you remove a single sash window bottom?

1. Remove the window screen if possible.
2. Raise the lower window from 5″ to 6″ above the sill.
3. Pull the top of the lower sash towards you to release the top of the sash from side channels.
4. This method will help you to remove the window sash by replacing a window sash bottom.

Can I replace the window sash?

Answer: Yes, to replace window sashes, examine the window sash and glass. Once you localized that the glass is broken then, you can only change the window sash. There is no need to change the full window.

Conclusion

The sash window goes for centuries to end this topic, but environmental changes troll its effectiveness over time. But proper care and maintenance still lead it for years. I hope this article will help you in removing the sash window for painting. While replacing the window sash, you must put all the joints, chains carefully. Make points precisely to avoid any headache. If your pane is larger, then make two points that must not exceed more than 12 inches. Last advice must see the climate before starting the painting window as don’t paint in summer as the paint becomes so watery and in winter the paint becomes thick. So it would help if you chose moderate weather. Hope you have learned how to remove sash windows for painting.

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