News1 min ago
Leaded windows
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Some of the lead on my front window has come away - can anyone tell me if I can glue it back myself and if so what adhesive should i use thank you - Janet
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When you say it's come away, can you be more specific?
Each little pane is held in place with putty - black paint mixed in to make it dark - and the lead strip itself which is a wide flat U shape. The glass pieces are pressed into the lead channel and then it is firmly pressed shut with the side of a blade. Over time, the putty often deteriorates and crumbles away. If it is very old or has been exposed to a lot of pollution, the lead can weaken. I also knew an old lady whose free range budgie had nibbled bits out of her leaded windows. It died some time later, whether due to the lead or old age I don't know.
It is generally quite hard to put just one piece back into a window without it looking a bit wonky. If you don't mind it looking a bit wonky you could have a go yourself with a butterknife and some putty.
It might be if you look closely that the whole lot needs re-setting. This is probably best done by a professional, but it basically entails taking out the entire panel and re-setting it in new lead strip (lead 'cames').
Each little pane is held in place with putty - black paint mixed in to make it dark - and the lead strip itself which is a wide flat U shape. The glass pieces are pressed into the lead channel and then it is firmly pressed shut with the side of a blade. Over time, the putty often deteriorates and crumbles away. If it is very old or has been exposed to a lot of pollution, the lead can weaken. I also knew an old lady whose free range budgie had nibbled bits out of her leaded windows. It died some time later, whether due to the lead or old age I don't know.
It is generally quite hard to put just one piece back into a window without it looking a bit wonky. If you don't mind it looking a bit wonky you could have a go yourself with a butterknife and some putty.
It might be if you look closely that the whole lot needs re-setting. This is probably best done by a professional, but it basically entails taking out the entire panel and re-setting it in new lead strip (lead 'cames').
mosaic ty for your very comprehensive answer, i feel guilty now because i think I have been misleading. My window is simply a modern double glazed window and the lead strips are simply applied on the top of the glass, i guess you are talking about lovely old leaded windows as on listed buildings - I wish mosaic but no such luck. Thank you taking the trouble, Janet
Tom you need Decralead ... http://www.decraled.c...02/info.php?p=2&pno=0 clean your window where the old lead has peeled away.
Try white spirit to loosen the adhesive, then use your thumb nail to get the lumps off.
Clean the glass with glass cleaner ... then use a sharp knife to cut a neat edge where the old lead has come away. Cut a strip of Decralead to fit... peel the backing off and stick it in place ....
http://www.decraled.c...02/info.php?p=2&pno=0
Try white spirit to loosen the adhesive, then use your thumb nail to get the lumps off.
Clean the glass with glass cleaner ... then use a sharp knife to cut a neat edge where the old lead has come away. Cut a strip of Decralead to fit... peel the backing off and stick it in place ....
http://www.decraled.c...02/info.php?p=2&pno=0
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