Hi All.

I am restoring old wooden double hung windows. Everything apart and striped down and about to be re-painted.

My question is about re-installing one of the panes of glass. Now that the frame and all the channels are stripped clean do I repaint the channels [where the glass goes] before puttying back up or not.

Also, it was suggested to me that I use Solar Seal instead of window putty. Your input and alternative suggestions please.

As alaways thanks for the time and attention.

Frank in NJ

Paint the channels with linseed oil first.Then a small amount of DAP33 around the channel to bed the glass into, Then put glass in and use points to hold the glass in place (points are the small metal triangular steel wedges). Then roll up in your palms a small rope of DAP33 and put it around the glass. Fill the channels with it. Then take a putty knife and smooth the ropesropes. Try for a 45 degree angle on the finish. Let it dry then prime then paint. Use exterior 100 percent vinyl acrylic paint (the good stuff). You want to run paint up onto the glass about 1/8 to 1/4 inch th deal the little crack where the putty meets the glass.

You mean to tell me that there is no "secret sauce"?

I've done these 15 years ago or more and followed the above remarks at that time.

LOL....after I posted, I recalled that I always forget to check YouTube....and also did a regular web search.

It seems that the linseed oil protocol is out of fashion so to speak. As no one spoke of it save one and even they said not to use it anymore.

thanks to that I am more confused than ever.

DAP is what I used back then and had even used it as a child, warming it up and making the ropes for my Dad & G'pa.

Same house as now.

All kidding aside, I thank all of those who took the time to help.

Ha-ha Frank, there is no modern "secret sauce" solution because you are dealing with old tech, old materials, "restoring old wooden double hung windows." Actually, not true-- there is a modern solution: replace the old wooden double hung windows with new double or triple pane units, not sure if that's what you were after.

I have seen recently the glazing compound offered in caulking tubes with a special formed tip, maybe that appeals to you?

BTDT, watch out for old lead paint on the frames, takes a LONG time for the DAP 33 do dry and firm up before painting.

If your putty knife is mirror shiny that helps a lot in getting a nice finish on the putty. Do not underestimate that.

If replacing all the putty, the caulk tubes are not as good as the old fashion warm in your hand stuff. If only a little bit needs replacing the caulk tubes are handy. The caulk stuff is "looser" than putty and does not smooth quite as well.

I did dozens of them 20 years ago and put in new balance system too.

same system as mentioned by you to install glazing but I burned off all the lead paint - Maybe that is why I am whacky

Newer is not always better, sometimes it's just easier.

I've always used linseed oil. It keeps the old wood from drawing the oil out of the putty. I also dip my putty knife in linseed oil before smoothing the putty. It's important to let it cure for several weeks before painting.