I am repairing a broken 12 light window sash out of an old schoolhouse. I repaired the damage,removed all the old glass and stripped the sash of all old glazing and repainted with an oil based primer. I'm ready to install the bedding layer of glazing to the sash. I have reglazed alot of old windows but never found a good way to put in this bedding. I tried forming a thin thread by working the glaze in my hands. I have tried laying it in with a putty knife. Either way was difficult and tedious.I have also resorted to laying down a bead of latex caulk. How was this done? Is there an efficient method for putting in this putty?
I'm not sure what the "bedding" is. I don't know whether it's a thin amount applied before placing the glass in or the glazing you lay down around the glass once inserted. If it's the first one, I don't have anything for you. If it's the second, I always roll some glazing putty in my hands making a "snake-like" piece and lay it against the glass and wood. I found the putty knife made for this with the angles on the blade make it simple to press and form the finished glazing.
I have no problem laying in the outer glazing. I've had years of practice. It is the thin layer under the glass that I have trouble with.I have never been able to find a good way to do it. People have done this for many years.Every piece of glass I have replaced had a thin layer between the glass and the wood. Someone must know a good way to get it there.
Re: Here's a pretty descriptive video of what I do
Jack Guzman from Maine
Thanks for that link. There are links to other videos there also. I watched a few. I think I have a clue how to proceed. I believe my mistake was in trying to limit the amount of putty. That guy just globs it on.
On This Old House, they went to a window shop. The gal rolled a snake of hand worked putty and laid it around to make the bed. She laid down the piece of glass, then placed a folded towel on top of that, then put an electric pad sander with no abrasive on it on top of the towel and turned it on. The glass settled quickly down in the bed in just seconds. She slid in the points and went from there. The business was Window-Woman of New England, but can't find a video. There best tip was using as steam box to start work on the window. With the window fully warmed and steamed, the old paint and old putty almost fell off.
Dick, I’ve done the steam method, and yes it does a great job, except 12 light is too much for this old man to work quickly enough, so I would advise having a helper with good eye/hand coordination, and quickness too.
Don’t even think of using Dap brand, it takes FOREVER to set. Sarcoseal multi-glaze TYPE M. It’s what the pros use. You can get a latex window glaze in a caulking tube at any hardware store, that is easy for the bedding bead, but I found it too hard to get right on the outside, then it shrinks a lot.
As for rolling out a rope length, I found it to be easier and quicker to use a 6” broad knife and a mortar board To hold and kneed the glaze on. Then with a pretty clean blade pick off a ~1” blob across the end of the blade, which I smash into the corner while wiggling it in. I may leave about twice as much as needed for the final bead. Then with a nice polished bent 1.5” w knife held at the right tilt, one pass will Eject the extra out both edges while slowly drawing it down each side.
