Windows are a kind of "eyes" at home. Now, most of the buildings seem to be impersonal due to the fact that standard PVC double-glazed windows are used everywhere. However, there are those who, despite the fashion and practicality of modern technology, still give preference to a wooden structure, because its ecological and aesthetic advantages are undeniable.
In order for wooden frames to last longer, it is necessary to reliably protect them from the effects of sunlight and dampness, as well as various insects and their larvae. To complete all these tasks is called painting a wooden window. In addition, such processing will retain its appearance for a long time, however, provided that it has been correctly and timely carried out. We will tell you about how to paint and protect new windows from wood, as well as restore old ones if possible.
What tools will be required?
The simplest set is required when painting a new window. For the old design, the list is expanding markedly. Prepare a spatula, a scraper, a drill with a special nozzle or a grinding machine, a roller and brushes, sandpaper (fine and coarse-grained), masking tape, a metal sieve, a paint container, a stable chair, a stool or a step-ladder in advance rags, and newspapers.
Further down the list are consumables. As a matter of fact, this is how to paint wooden windows and process them before that: putty, primer, paint, thinner, white spirit. Do not neglect protective equipment such as a mask, goggles, a respirator, a hat and gloves.
What paint to choose for windows?
Even a professional will not be able to unequivocally answer the question of which paint to choose for painting windows. The preferences of each owner of a wooden structure are different. Someone for tradition and white color, others for the naturalness and natural structure of wood. The modern construction market offers a very rich selection:
- alkyd enamel;
- acrylic (water-dispersed) paint;
- clear nail polish;
- Oil paint;
- primers and drying oil;
- solvent based stain.
If preference is given to the natural color of wood, then for staining and protection, experts recommend using special varnishes, azure and impregnation. They penetrate perfectly into the tree, form a water-repellent layer and prevent the penetration of rot and mold, and also protect against pests.
For internal work, it is preferable to use acrylic paint, which is practically odorless and dries quickly (in just 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 a purely personal matter for each owner, his preferences and financial capabilities.
Step 1: removing old paint from the window frame
If the window frames made of wood are new, then painting them is not particularly difficult. The situation is much more serious with old windows, which have already been painted several times. Before carrying out a new treatment, they should be carefully prepared. Peeling paint is best removed completely. Moreover, the better it is done, the more attractive the final result will be.
Old paint from the windows can be removed using special compounds that soften the layers, gradually turning them into a curd mass that can be easily removed with a scraper or spatula. However, it should be remembered that such funds are quite toxic, and therefore when working with it should use gloves, glasses and a respirator.
It is possible to use a construction hairdryer when processing old windows, which will soften old paint with hot air. Further 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 advisable to remove the glass from the frames.
If the coating is not much worn out under the influence of atmospheric factors, you can do with small preparatory measures and not completely remove it. However, before painting wooden windows with old paint, in any case, they should be thoroughly sanded and then dusted, and irregularities treated with putty.
Step 2: sealing cracks and cracks
Wooden products have one significant drawback - it is cracking when dried. On the window frames, quite often you can find both small and rather deep cracks. Therefore, before painting, be sure to inspect the structure, including the joints of the window unit with the wall. Cracks are a place of accumulation of dirt and moisture. Thoroughly clean them of accumulated dust with a brush or vacuum cleaner, dry and fill with special putty. After the composition has dried, sand the entire wooden surface with coarse sandpaper. Otherwise, after painting, uneven areas on the frame will be very noticeable.
Step 3: primer coating the window frame
Before painting the wooden window frame, it must be primed. This is done not only in the case of the new design, but also when stripping the old to the tree itself. If this is not done, the paint will not adhere well and not even a year will pass, as it will have to be put in order again. Application of a primer promotes better adhesion of the paint to the surface, reduces its consumption. After its use, the wood fibers can slightly raise, so experts advise once again sanding the window frame with fine-grained sandpaper. This should always be done in the direction of fiber growth.
The choice of primer depends directly on what paint will be used in the future.
Step 4: final preparation step before painting
The process of preparing wooden windows for painting ends with a design inspection. Carefully inspect it for traces of tar. This is especially true if the frame is new and / or made of coniferous wood. Resinous precipitates should be carefully removed, since the acid present in their composition will gradually destroy the paint layer. Next, the surface of the wood must be degreased. What composition should be used for these purposes depends on the type of paint. It must be compatible with her. So, from ancient times turpentine was used in combination with oil paint. Its residues on the surface in no way affected the quality of the paint. White spirit or simple kerosene, gasoline is popular.
Step 5: protect the glass surface of the window
As practice shows, even the most experienced craftsmen easily touch the glass of the window construction with a brush. Therefore, it will be better if you protect it with a special masking tape. The process will not take much time, but the painting of the wooden window will be much faster, and the coating will turn out without smudges, smooth and neat.
Keep in mind that masking tape must be removed from the glass surface before the paint on the window frame dries. Otherwise, there is a risk along with it to tear off part of the paintwork.
Step 6: paint and brushes
Whatever composition you choose for painting a wooden window, you should first mix it well right in the bank. Then paint through a metal sieve must be filtered into a special bath or other container. This step will save you from lumps that may subsequently fall onto the surface to be painted.
Do not dip the brush into the paint completely, it is best to do it in half. Excess should remain in the bath or jar. To do this, brush gently along the edge of the container. A large amount of paint is completely useless, so you only contribute to the formation of smudges.
Prepare several types of brushes in advance. For the most inaccessible places, those smaller are suitable, for a flat surface - large or roller. A flat brush is much preferable to a round brush.
Step 7: applying paint to the surface
So, having learned about how to prepare the surface before painting the wooden windows from the outside and from the inside and having completed this stage, you can safely proceed to the main work.
Painting a window is best from the inside out. It is necessary to open the frame and initially process the internal surfaces, primarily horizontal ones. Next, move from bottom to top. If there are curly elements on the frame, it is better to start with them using a narrow brush. For flat surfaces, use a roller, because with it, the paint lays much more evenly. Apply it in several layers (2-3). Do not try to cover all dents, gaps and cracks with one stroke. A thick layer of paint will certainly begin to spread, there will be sagging and, in general, the work may be damaged.
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. This is usually enough. In the case of old windows, you may need a third layer, as dry wood strongly absorbs paint.
In what weather is it preferable to paint the windows?
The question of what weather is best to do window painting is far from idle, as it might seem at first glance. Specialists always pay attention to this aspect. They advise carrying out work on a cloudy spring day when it is already warm, but there is still little moisture in the air, and ultraviolet does not have a destructive effect on the paint. Best of all, window frames dry at temperatures 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 the rapid destruction. In addition, when painting a wooden window, the coating may delaminate due to dampness, poor primer or poor-quality preliminary cleaning of the surface.