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The skill level; time to complete; materials; and tools required to Prepare to paint is as follows:

Skill level: 1

🔘 ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️

Details on Skill levels

Time to complete:

Experienced: 20 mins

Handy: 35 mins

Novice: 1 hr

Materials:*

1. TSP
2. primer
3. trim paint
4. glazing putty
5. linseed oil
6. painter’s masking tape (optional)

Tools:*

1. TSP
2. primer
3. trim point
4. glazing putty
5. linseed oil
6. painter’s masking tapo (optional)

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Windows seem to get the worst of weather. They’re expected to hold up in rain, wind, blinding sun, and hot humid weather followed in some parts of the country by snow and cold winters with sub-zero temperatures.

It’s no wonder they often have flakes, chipping paint, broken putty, rotten wood, and dirt, dirt, dirt.

If it’s time to repaint your windows, prep work is a must. Wash everything down with TSP (see __). Scrape off any loose paint, sand the rest, then prime any bare wood.

Should you use masking tape? Putting masking tape along the line berween the frame and glass eliminates the need to be overly neat with the brush, but this may involve more time than it’s worth. Many painters just try to be careful, then scrape off extra paint with a razor blade.

Open and close the window several times as the paint dries. This prevents the moving parts from forming a bond and keeps you from dealing with a window that won’t open because it’s painted shut.

It’s a rare house that doesn’t have at least one window painted shut, but there are several ways to free them. Sometimes a sharp rap on the frame with a rubber mallet or the heel of your hand is all it takes (don’t hit the glass). If not, work around the seam between the sash and frame with either a utility knife or a special sash saw (see page 36). And before you get too frustrated, remember every window has two sides-yours could be painted shut on either side.

Parts of a basic double-hung window

• Upper sash: upper frame of a double-hung window.
  Lower sash: lower frame of a double-hung window.
• Sash rails: horizontal pieces of the frame forming the sash.
  Sash stiles: vertical pieces of the frame forming the sash.
  Meeting rails: rails that overlap each other in the middle of the window.
  Windowsill: piece of wood, metal, or plastic at the bottom of the window.
  Usually slanted so water drains away from the house.
• Trim: wood, metal, or plastic that frames the outside of the window.
  Head: piece of wood, metal, or plastic at the top of the window.

Steps on how to Paint window trim

Step 1. Scrape any loose putty around the window panes, brushing the sash clean. To help new putty stick and last longer, brush the newly exposed wood with linseed oil, and let it soak in. Roll some putty between your hands, and press it into the bare spots. Smooth it with a putty knife to create an angled surface. Remove small imperfections by running a damp finger along the putty.🔻

Step 2. Let the putty dry for about a week. Then open the window and pull the top down until it’s about 3 inches from the sill. Push the bottom sash up until it’s about 3 inches from the top of the window frame. 🔻

Step 3. Paint all the parts of the sash you can reach. Start with the pieces in the grid (called muntins) if there are any. Then paint horizontal pieces followed by vertical for the neatest job. 🔻

Step 4. Put the sashes back into their regular positions but leave them slightly open, with about a linch gap at the top and bottom. Paint the parts of the sash you were unable to reach in Step 2. Move the sashes occasionally as the paint dries to keep them from sticking. 🔻

Step 5. Paint the stops and jambs. Don’t paint the tracks where the windows travel —any paint buildup could cause the windows to jam. 🔻

Step 6. Paint the window casing. Mask the siding unless you plan to paint it as well. 🔻