When we started scraping the trim on the cottage so it could be repainted, to our horror we discovered all the putty holding in the window panes was dry, cracked and dislodged. No problem, we’ll just reputty the windows, all 24 of them. Yikes!

First problem, getting the putty. We went to Home Depot and started in the “Window and Door” area. No putty there. Then we asked a fellow and he said, “Try paint”. OK, so in the paint area there are all kinds of caulk, spackle, putty, etc. but no window putty. Oh, yes there is. In its own special area within the paint department they have (da-da-da-daah) Glazing Compound. (Don’t bother asking the paint mixing guy because he won’t know.)

Before we could actually begin to putty, Charlie had to scrape and chip away as much of the old putty as possible with his 14-in-1 tool. I’m pretty sure a 5-in-1 will work just as well.

Then (after a few failed attempts and reading “How to Replace a Window Pane” on “This Old House” website) we learned to make a long snake of the glazing compound and push it securely around the glass pane.

Dip the end of your impeccably clean narrow putty knife in mineral spirits and cut a 45 degree angle between the window frame and the glass. Scrape away excess putty and return to tub because it can be reused.

Clean your putty knife after each pass.

Go over it again if you need to. Remember to dip the putty knife in the mineral spirits.

According to “This Old House” don’t clean up the windows for a couple of weeks until the glazing compound dries and sets a bit.

A BIG job. Now that we know how AND have all the tools, maybe we would tackle it again (but I doubt it). This is the kind of project that makes a house a better place to live but it’s time consuming and has minimal aesthetic value.

Do you have an unlovely but necessary job hanging over your head? We encourage you to git ‘er done!
I live in South Africa and wondered where I can purchase Pre Mixed Glazing Compound from. Could you give me the Suppliers telephone number please
I would have no idea. Sometimes it comes in a tube like caulk that it administered from a caulking gun. Jo
Thanks information about mineral spirits was a big help.
Mineral spirits are useful in many ways. Jo