Repairing Guides

how to repair stained glass

by Lloyd Zieme DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How To Repair Stained Glass

  1. Start by gathering your tools and materials [A]. To create the new putty, you’ll need a mixture of glazing putty, linseed oil, and lamp black.
  2. After you’ve removed all of the old putty from the cames, mix the new putty, oil, and lamp black [B] into a stiff liquid that’s easily spreadable—about the ...
  3. Brush the putty mixture onto the window [C], pushing it into the cames—in doing this, you’ll end up covering most of the window surface.
  4. You’ll need to clean up the window in two stages. ...

Full Answer

How to fix and repair cracked or broken stained glass?

  • Solder it at either end to hold it securely in place
  • Turn over and repeat on the backside
  • Cement, clean and polish as normal

How do you clean stained tempered glass?

  • Combine 3-tablespoons lemon juice and 1-cup of water in a spray bottle.
  • Spray the area to be cleaned and wait five minutes.
  • Wipe clean with a sponge.
  • Dry and buff with clean microfiber cloth.

How stained glass is restored?

This stained glass window was within a rotting wood frame that was salvaged from the original main structure before the building was demolished.

How to clean stained glass windows properly?

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Glass Sparkling Clean

  • Clean From Top to Bottom. If you really want your window or mirror to be streak free, clean from the top to the bottom. ...
  • Wash Windows on a Cloudy Day. ...
  • Use a Squeegee. ...
  • Clean Corners With Cotton Swabs. ...
  • Try an Old T-Shirt. ...
  • Try Homemade Window Cleaner. ...
  • Use Newspapers. ...
  • Avoid Woodwork. ...

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How do you repair broken stained glass?

10:3116:38How to Repair and Replace Cracked or Broken Stained Glass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou glue this onto your glass. Cut it grind it but before you foil it make sure that you put it backMoreYou glue this onto your glass. Cut it grind it but before you foil it make sure that you put it back in your window because on edge pieces like this notoriously.

How do you cover up cracks in stained glass?

STEP 1: Clean the glass with dish soap. ... STEP 2: Mix up the two-part epoxy. ... STEP 3: Apply the epoxy to the crack in the glass using a putty knife. ... STEP 4: Remove excess epoxy with a razor blade and let the rest cure. ... STEP 5: Spiff up the surface with a glass cleaner.

How do you bond stained glass?

Here's what to do:Place 2 tablespoons of Elmer's glue in a small cup and add 2 teaspoons of water. Stir with a popsicle stick until the glue and water are thoroughly mixed.Pour the glue and water mixture into a lid until the bottom is covered. ... Add 4-5 drops of food coloring to different areas of the glue mixture.

How do you Restain stained glass?

Mask the lead solder outline around the piece in question with painter's tape. ... Pour glass paint onto a small plate. ... Apply a thin coat of paint to the glass with a natural-bristle brush. ... Apply a second thin coat of paint, and allow to dry. ... Apply a clear topcoat using the same method if a higher gloss is desired.

Can you repair cracked stained glass?

Yes – several options are available: Remove the damaged piece and replace it (some soldering skill is required). Glue the cracked glass together using a variety of adhesives. Cover the crack with adhesive tape to match the lead came.

What is the best glue for stained glass?

For most common glass repairs, Loctite Glass Glue is the go-to choice. Loctite Glass Glue is great for use with all clear, colored, stained, and tinted glass types.

Can I glue glass back together?

Loctite Glass Glue is the only patented super glue specially formulated for bonding glass. The unique butyl formula provides a lasting bond that regular super glue can't. It bonds glass to glass and glass to other materials.

Can you glue stained glass?

– I've always done it 'air' side up, but it might make no difference. -The shaped stained glass pieces are glued to this float backing glass. After much research and experimentation, we settled on Weldbond (a Canadian all-purpose glue) as the best bonding agent.

Can you use super glue on stained glass?

Loctite Super Glue Glass is formulated to help you bond glass to glass, metal, stained glass, tinted glass or crystal. This power glue even dries transparent making repairs invisible for a crystal clear finish.

Can stained glass be repainted?

Stained glass can be painted using opaque enamel paints or glass-appropriate transparent acrylic paints. Faux stained glass is created by painting a mosaic image onto clear glass using acrylic paints.

How do you restore antique stained glass?

1:042:21100 YEAR OLD STAINED GLASS RESTORATION - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd replacing broken pieces with glass of the same. Era. Now contractors are routing the edges ofMoreAnd replacing broken pieces with glass of the same. Era. Now contractors are routing the edges of the window frame. Then they'll paint the frame and put Plexiglas over the window to protect.

Can you Unstain glass?

Try Vinegar or Lemon to Remove Hard Water Stains. One of the best household items for cleaning purposes is vinegar. This is non-toxic and can be used to clean many surfaces in your home—including watermarks on glass. Plain white distilled vinegar is ideal for cleaning.

Best Leaded & Stained Glass Repair Services Near Me - HomeAdvisor

How to repair a crack in a stained glass window with epoxy

How long does it take to clean a window?

You’ll need to clean up the window in two stages. First, when the putty mixture is dry enough to be picked up with a rag (about 15 to 20 minutes), clean off the majority of the glass surface [D]; if the putty dries too long, it will be harder to remove.

What to do after you remove putty from cames?

After you’ve removed all of the old putty from the cames, mix the new putty, oil, and lamp black [B] into a stiff liquid that’s easily spreadable —about the consistency of molasses. You can add more black if you’d like to match it more closely to the color of the cames, although the putty won’t be too visible after you’ve cleaned up the window.

Do stained glass windows need to be repaired?

Vintage stained glass windows often need repairs. As the window’s original putty dries over time, it can fall out of the lead cames that enclose the glass, causing instability. Although the window may have no obvious problems, you’ll know it needs to be tightened up if the glass rattles when you drum your fingers over the surface.

Supplies

Soldering Iron 65-300 watt (higher wattage type meant for stained glass)

Step 1: Remove Solder From Affected Area

Once you have identified that some of the copper foil tape has been damaged to the point it will need repair, begin by melting all the solder in the area off, and remove it from the surrounding area too, at least .5 inches out, on both sides of the “wound”.

Step 3: Soak Copper Strip in Alcohol

Take off and throw away the paper backing from the adhesive side of the copper tape, then put it in a small container of Isopropyl alcohol or something similar which will break down the adhesive. Most non polar solvents would probably work fine here as long they don’t leave any residue.

Step 4: Remove Adhesive From Strip

If you are using a strong concentration solvent, it should only take a minute or so to start breaking down the adhesive, although a few minutes does allow it to come off a little easier.

Step 7: Spot Weld (solder) the Strip Into Place

Now that your strip is cut to the right shape and tinned, its ready to attach it to your piece. Flux the “Band-Aid” strip again now that it is tinned, this time on both sides. Also apply flux liberally to the affected area and the surrounding area you removed solder from too.

Step 8: Fuse the Copper Strip to the Piece (optional?)

With the whole strip now stuck in place from the two dots of solder on the sides, you should now take the soldering iron to the middle of the strip where the “wound” is located underneath to fully fuse it all together.

Step 9: Solder the Strip Fully Into Place

Now you get to pretend like you never had a mishap at all and hopefully you are able to solder the whole area normally, just like nothing ever happened! As long as it is secured enough in place, it shouldn’t shift now. I didn’t want to risk it though, so to be safe I only soldered half at once, let it set, then soldered the other half.

How to fix broken copper foil?

When you are repairing copper foil that can't be done using aluninum strips, remove as much solder as possible around the broken piece. Then you will score the broken piece of glass, many times, in all directions (horizontal, vertical and diagonal). Turn the panel over and hold it over something to catch the broken glass as it flies out. A large waste basket or a box will work.

How to repair copper foil?

I will show you my favorite (and easiest) way first. You'll need an aluminum soda or beer can. Cut the top off, then make a cut from top to bottom, and cut off the bottom.

How to get foil off a soldering iron?

Grab the foil with your pliers and pull the foil off as you go ahead of it with your soldering iron. Most times the foil comes off in one piece, but there are times when you get it off little by little. Once the foil is off, run your soldering iron around the opening to clean up any remaining solder.

How to fix a split in solder?

The split will still be visible. You're going to have to fix it before you start soldering. Make sure the area around the split is clean. To be sure, go over the split with alcohol. Take a short piece of foil and wrap it, front to back, over the area where the split is.

Can you use aluminum strips to repair copper foil?

However, there will be times when you can not get the aluminum strip between the glass. It just won't go through. In that case, you will have to use my other method to repair copper foil.

Can you fix copper foil?

When you are repairing copper foil, it's important to make sure the glass is squeaky clean before you start to apply the foil. If there is any oily residue left on it, the foil won't stick to the glass. Replace the foil, and solder the piece back in place.

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