Spruce up old wooden windows with a fresh coat of paint.
You probably need to paint wooden windows more often than the walls in your home, if they are regularly opened and closed. Old windows from before 1978 may have been painted with lead paint at some point, which makes sanding the windows dangerous. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that lead paint in good condition is not a hazard but sanding lead paint will produce paint flakes and dust, which is harmful. You need professionals to remove lead paint, but if you do not want to deal with testing or removal, you can seal the paint to reduce the danger.
Instructions
1. Clean the wooden window frame with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Wipe down the frame with this solution to remove all dirt, fingerprints or greasy spots from the wood. Wipe the frame after cleaning with a rag dampened in clean water, and dry the wood with a dry towel.
2. Apply painter's tape to the window glass next to the frame to prevent paint from splattering or dripping onto the glass.
3. Paint the wooden frame with an alkyd-based primer. The alkyd-based primer will prepare the wooden frame for paint and seal any existing lead paint.
4. Sand the dry alkyd-primer with 220-grit sandpaper to remove any bubbles in the primer or rough spots. Wipe away any dust created during sanding with a clean rag.
5. Paint the window frame with a latex-based exterior paint. Exterior paint is usually hardier than interior paint and designed to hold up to the elements, which makes it a good choice for windows since even the interior of the window may be exposed to rain or snow if left open. Apply a second coat of paint after the first coat dries.
6. Remove the tape from the window pane as soon as the paint has dried. If the tape is left on for several days, it may become difficult to remove from the glass.
7. Wet a piece of 600-grit wet/dry sandpaper under running water, and add a few drops of dish soap to the sandpaper. Sand the dry painted surface of the window frame with the wet sandpaper to smooth the surface and create a shiny finish. Wipe away the suds and water with a clean towel when you are finished.
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