Painting a wooden window: preparation, choice of paint, tips. Old windows: methods of restoration and painting

Windows are the original "eyes" of the house. Now most of the buildings seem to be impersonal due to the fact that standard PVC windows are used everywhere. However, there are those who, despite the fashion and practicality of modern technology, still prefer the wooden structure, because its environmental and aesthetic advantages are undeniable.

In order for the wooden frames to last longer, it is necessary to reliably protect them from the influence of sunlight and dampness, as well as various insects and their larvae. All of these tasks are designed to paint the wooden window. In addition, such processing will retain the appearance for a long time, however, provided that it has been correctly and timely carried out. We will tell you how to paint and protect new windows from a tree, and also to restore old ones as much as possible.

What tools will be required?

The simplest set is required when painting a new window. For the old design, the list is significantly expanded. Prepare a spatula, scraper, drill with a special nozzle or grinder, roller and brush, sandpaper (fine and coarse-grained), paint tape, metal sieve, ink container, stable chair, stool or ladder from the tools. Rags, and newspapers.

Next on the list are supplies. Strictly speaking, this is what color the wooden windows and treat them before: putty, primer, paint, thinner, white spirit. Do not neglect the means of protection, such as a mask, glasses, a respirator, a hat and gloves.

What kind of paint should I choose for windows?

Unequivocally answer the question of what kind of paint to paint the windows, even a professional can not. The preferences of each owner of a wooden structure are different. Someone for the tradition and white color, others for the naturalness and natural structure of the wood. The modern construction market offers a very rich choice:

• Alkyd enamel;
• Acrylic (water-dispersed) paint;
• clear nail polish;
• Oil paint;
• Primer and drying oil;
• Solvent based stain.

If preference is given to the natural color of wood, then for the coloring and protection experts recommend the use of special varnishes, azure and impregnation. They perfectly penetrate the tree, form a water-repellent layer and prevent the penetration of rot and mold, and also protect against pests.

For interior work, it is preferable to use acrylic paint that is practically odorless and dries quickly (literally in a couple of hours). Outside, the structure is best treated with alkyd enamel. But the question of which paint is better to paint wooden windows, imported or domestic - this is strictly a personal matter of each owner, his preferences and financial capabilities.

Step 1: Remove the old paint from the window frame

If the window frames are new wood, then their painting is not very difficult. Much more serious is the case with the old windows, which have already been repeatedly painted. Before carrying out a new treatment, they should be carefully prepared. The baked paint is best removed completely. And the more qualitative it is to make, the more attractive the final result will be.

Old paint from windows can be removed with the help of special compounds that soften the layers, gradually turning them into a curdled mass easily removed by a scraper or spatula. However, it should be remembered that such drugs are quite toxic, and therefore when working with it, gloves, glasses and a respirator should be used.

It is possible to use at processing old windows a building hair drier which by means of hot air will soften an old paint. Then it will be easy to remove it with a scraper. Remove the old coating in stages, warm up only small areas. Before the procedure, it is desirable to pull the glasses out of the frames.

If the coating is not heavily worn out under the influence of atmospheric factors, you can do with small preparatory measures and do not completely remove it. However, before painting the wooden windows with old paint, they should be carefully sanded and then cleaned of dust, and the roughness treated with putty.

Step 2: Fixing cracks and cracks

Wooden products have one significant drawback - this is cracking on drying. On window frames, you can often find both small and rather deep cracks. Therefore, before painting, be sure to inspect the structure, including the places of joints of the window block with the wall. Cracks are a place of accumulation of dirt and moisture. Thoroughly clean them from accumulated dust with a brush or vacuum cleaner, dry and fill with a special putty. After the composition has dried, grind the entire wooden surface with a coarse-grained sandpaper. Otherwise, after painting uneven areas on the frame will be very noticeable.

Step 3: Cover the window frame with a primer

Before painting the wooden window frame, it must be primed. This is done not only in the case of a new design, but also when cleaning the old one up to the tree itself. If this is not done, the paint will not hold properly and it will not take a year to do it again. Applying a primer promotes better adhesion of the paint to the surface, reduces its consumption. After its use, the wood fibers can be slightly raised, so experts advise once again to sand the window frame with fine-grained sandpaper. Do this always in the direction of fiber growth.

The choice of primer depends directly on what further paint will be used.

Step 4: The final stage of preparation before painting

The process of preparing wooden windows for painting is completed by inspection of the structure. Carefully inspect it for traces of resin. This is especially true if the frame is new and / or made of coniferous wood. Resinous secretions should be carefully removed, as the acid present in their composition will gradually destroy the paint layer. Then the surface of the wood should be degreased. What composition should be used for these purposes depends on the type of paint. He must be compatible with it. So, for a long time, turpentine was used in combination with oil paint. Its remnants on the surface in no way affected the quality of the painting. Popularity is used by white spirit or simple kerosene, gasoline.

Step 5: protect the glass surface of the window

As practice shows, even the most experienced masters easily touch the glass of the window structure with a brush. Therefore, it will be better if you protect it with a special painting tape. The process does not take much time, but the painting of the wooden window will go much faster, and the coating will be without streaks, smooth and tidy.

Keep in mind that remove the paint tape from the glass surface before the paint on the window frame dries. Otherwise, there is a risk together with her to tear off and part of the paintwork.

Step 6: Paint and Brushes

Whichever you choose for the painting of the wooden window the composition, it should be mixed well beforehand in the jar. Then the paint through a metal screen should be filtered into a special tray or other container. This step will save you from the lumps, which can get further on the surface to be painted.

Do not immerse the brush completely, it's best to do it halfway. Surplus should remain in a bath or a jar. To do this, brush carefully on the edge of the container. A large amount of paint is completely useless, so you only contribute to the formation of stains.

Prepare several types of brushes in advance. For the most inaccessible places, those that are smaller are suitable, for a flat surface - large or roller. Much more preferable is a flat brush than a round one.

Step 7: Applying the paint to the surface

So, having learned how to prepare the surface before painting the wooden windows from the outside and from the inside and having carried out this stage, you can safely proceed to the basic work.

Painting the window is best from the inside out. You should open the frame and initially process the internal surfaces, primarily horizontal ones. Then move from below to top. If there are curly elements on the frame, it is better to start with them using a narrow brush. For smooth surfaces, use a roller, because with its help the paint falls much more evenly. Apply it in several layers (2-3). Do not try to close all dents, gaps and cracks in one stroke. A thick layer of paint will certainly begin to spread, there will be an influx and, in general, the work may be spoiled.

Apply a thin first coat and let it dry. The waiting time depends on the weather and humidity. When the surface is ready, apply a second coat of paint. As a rule, this is enough. In the case of old windows, a third layer may be needed, since dry wood absorbs the paint very much.

In what kind of weather is it preferable to paint windows?

The question of which weather is best for painting windows is far from idle, as it might seem at first glance. Specialists pay attention to this aspect always. They advise to work on a springy overcast day, when it is warm, but there is still little moisture in the air, and ultraviolet does not have a destructive effect on the paint. It is best window frames dry at a temperature above + 5 ° C and humidity not more than 80%. Avoid rainy weather. Drops of water on the surface on which the paint is applied lead to further "bubbling" of the coating. It not only spoils the aesthetic appearance, but also contributes to rapid destruction. In addition, when painting a wooden window, the coating may become loose due to dampness, poor priming or poor-quality pre-cleaning of the surface.