Replies

1. 
   Kevin | Jul 25, 2003 07:01am | #1

   I don't know of any easy way to get the existing stain out. The easiest, quickest and cheapest solution would be to paint them.

   Regards,

   Kevin

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 25, 2003 07:50am | #2

   Hi Kevin -

   Easy, cheap and fast are attractive attributes! (grin)

   This house is kinda my retirement project so time and effort are only slight issues. Cost would probably govern. Time is money but given the average life span these days, I have more time than money (hehe)

   I need to simply take a piece of sand paper and do a little experimenting I guess. I was thinking something like oxolic(sp) acid used to remove rust stains and such from wood might be an option.

   Better living through chemistry, as someone used to say.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   Kevin | Jul 25, 2003 05:57pm | #3

   I was thinking something like oxolic(sp) acid used to remove rust stains and such from wood might be an option.

   Perhaps... But, I don't think it would do anything to any pigments that more than likely made up at least part of the stain that is currently on them.

   I used Oxalic acid bleach on the old vanity that I posted pictures of in the Gallery a while back. I used it after I had used paint stripper and, later, lacquer thinner coupled with scrappers to clean as much of the old finish off as possible. The Oxalic acid did absolutely nothing to remove any color. I tried it several times in fact. All I accomplished was to get the wood wet. LOL

   Regards,

   Kevin

2. 
   JohnWW | Jul 25, 2003 09:09pm | #4

   Dennis,

   A couple points worth considering:

   Double pane glass doesn't last forever, eventually the seals fail and you start to get moisture trapped between the panes.  On some brands the only way to replace the glass is to replace the entire sash.  If the windows are more than twenty years old you might just go ahead and replace the sash and you would then have clean wood to work with.  If the glass is removable, you might consider removing it and doing the refinishing with the glass out and possibly installing new glass when you reassemble the sash.

   I'd be careful about using strong chemicals on the sash with the glass installed, the sealant between the panes might be damaged ruining the seal and letting in moisture. 

   An alternative worth considering, do a fake wood grain paint finish on the sash and frames, it's easy, fast, and will hold up better than stain or clear finishes when exposed to sun and moisture.  There is lots of information on how to do it, look for info on faux (French for fake) finishes.

   John W.

   
   

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   Edited 7/25/2003 4:04:08 PM ET by JohnW

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 25, 2003 11:06pm | #5

   Hi John -

   These Pella windows have the removable inside pane of glass with the vinyl gasket. Only a couple of the large picture windows are glazed with true double paned thermal units. And I suspect that the seal has begun to fail since there's a slight evidence of foggin in one corner although at this point we haven't bothered to do a good window cleaning job while under construction.

   The Pella rep. - the one at the Pella show room - said much the same thing about replacing the broken lights. Cheaper to simply replace the entire sash since 1) they're easily replaced as a unit and 2) the sash is usually pretty dinged up in the process of removing the old glazing.

   This whole window thing is some time down the road since we're just now beginning the finishing of the drywall in the kitchen, let alone any focus on the rest of the house. It's lilke eating an elephant; one bite at a time. Unfortunately I feel like I'm about to become a vegetarian! (grin)

   Thanks for the comments.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 25, 2003 11:33pm | #6

   You're welcome, Good luck.

   John W.