Need Your Wood Expertise!

[terryd]

My wife and I are in the midst of a major re-do of our home. We've replaced some of the original windows that were single pane, no storms, with new energy efficient ones, however we are not replacng all at this time. My question is this, what should we do to revive the sun-damaged window frames? The outside frames are fine because they have been protected by paint. The inside wood frame is the probelm the sun has "baked" the varnish right out of them. Any suggestions of how we should proceed would be appreciated.

T

[mickyd]

My wife and I are in the midst of a major re-do of our home. We've replaced some of the original windows that were single pane, no storms, with new energy efficient ones, however we are not replacng all at this time. My question is this, what should we do to revive the sun-damaged window frames? The outside frames are fine because they have been protected by paint. The inside wood frame is the probelm the sun has "baked" the varnish right out of them. Any suggestions of how we should proceed would be appreciated.

T

Are you going to keep them natural wood, stain, or paint?

[terryd]

We're trying to restore the natural wood and add a protective finish.

T

[a1gutterman]

Verathane seems like a likely product to use on those. Is the wood "bleached out" or are there dark areas?

[mickyd]

We're trying to restore the natural wood and add a protective finish.

T

A photo would be helpful. Is that doable?

[bobgroh]

My wife and I are in the midst of a major re-do of our home. We've replaced some of the original windows that were single pane, no storms, with new energy efficient ones, however we are not replacng all at this time. My question is this, what should we do to revive the sun-damaged window frames? The outside frames are fine because they have been protected by paint. The inside wood frame is the probelm the sun has "baked" the varnish right out of them. Any suggestions of how we should proceed would be appreciated.

T

What I've done is a multi-step process (unfortunately it is not a quick process!).

Step 1: sand down the old wood work to get off most of the old finish. My windows are about 40+ years old and the old frames were some quick stain/varnish stuff that comes right off. I don't try to get it perfect - just get the top off and get mostly bare wood.

Step 2: stain it. The new jell type stains are nice to work with, by the way. Do NOT sand yet - if you do, you'll go right through the stain. Wait to sand until the first coat of top coat is on.

Step 3: top coat. Probably a urethane for long life. However I use (here is where the experts will cringe) good ol' shellac. Cut down to about a 2 lb cut. So I'm a rebel! Anyways count on at least 2 coats - I usually go to 3 coats. Sand lightly with 240 or 400 grit (or even steel wool) after each coat. I usually use just a triple-ought steel wool after the last coat.

This will usually give you a nice, mellow,low gloss finish. It works for me but it is a lot of work.

Bob Groh, Blue Springs, Missouri

[terryd]

Thanks for sharing the details of your process. I've only a couple of windows to do so the labor involved shouldn't be too much. As far as the shellac goes, sounds like a viable approach - I tend toward the traditional and basic.