How to clean a window sill from old paint

Window sill repair: restoration of wooden products

Wood is a very soft and pliable material that can be restored in almost 100% of cases. The only exceptions are those wooden window sills that have rotted and turned into dust. In all other cases, there is only one obstacle in the process of window sill restoration - a large number of layers of paint that will definitely have to be removed. This is the first stage of work related to solving the question of how to repair a wooden window sill with your own hands? There are several ways to remove old paint from a wooden surface.

Chemically - here you will need a remover for old paint. It is applied to the surface of the window sill and after a few minutes the paint bubbles, after which it can be removed with a spatula. This option has a lot of disadvantages. Firstly, the remover is very toxic. Secondly, each layer of paint will have to be processed separately.
Temperature. The paint is heated to a high temperature using a hair dryer, after which it becomes soft and pliable for removal with a spatula. This option has only one drawback - the length of the process.
Mechanical method, which involves the use of a grinding machine. Just like the previous option, it has several disadvantages. Firstly, the machine is not able to remove the paint in the corners and along the window - here you will have to peel it off with your hands. Secondly, you can go broke on abrasive material. Thirdly, this is a very dirty process.

Wooden window sill repair photo

Alternatively, if the wooden window sill can be carefully dismantled, the old paint can be burned using a blowtorch or autogen - naturally, this should not be done in an apartment, since the volatile remains of burnt paint are very toxic.

You don’t have to worry about completely removing paint from a wooden window sill - this option is acceptable when the product will be painted again. In this case, the surface of the window sill will only need to be sanded to remove sagging old paint.

After such preliminary preparation, the old wooden window sill will need to be puttied to remove various kinds of cavities, potholes and large scratches, then remove dust from it and treat the surface with a degreasing compound (solvent) and only then apply a new coat of paint. It should be noted right away that this is best done with a roller and not in one layer - at a minimum, painting should be done in two layers, each of which should dry thoroughly within several days.

Scraping paintwork

If there is a need to renew wooden frames, then it is worth preparing the surfaces before painting. The wood needs to be cleaned so that it is smooth, without any pieces of peeling paint. Then the new window covering will not come off after a short time.

The most common construction tool used for these purposes is a spatula.

Sometimes a metal sponge is used for dishes. It allows you to clean the window surfaces upon completion of the main work.

When wood frames are first painted, it is likely that the factory finish was polyurethane paint. In this case, before cleaning, the frames are wiped with soapy water and treated with sandpaper. Next, you can apply a special primer to make the paint stick better to the window.

A rather interesting method is to burn old paint from the window frame. Using a special cylinder, the coating layer is heated with a flame. Next, the wooden frames are cleaned with a spatula, and the remaining irregularities are removed with coarse sandpaper. Before painting, cracks in the wood are puttied and cleaned using a sanding machine.

“Chemical” options for removing protective film:

Option 5 Denatured alcohol + COSMOFEN

The method described below has been tested by the author several times.

Pour denatured alcohol (technical alcohol) into a water sprayer. It is advisable to take a small sprayer, for example, like for spraying indoor plants. Spray denatured alcohol evenly onto the protective film. Let it stand for a couple of minutes, after which we pry up the edge of the film with a sharp knife and gently pull it out. We methodically repeat the procedure until we remove the remaining protective film. We remove traces of glue with COSMOFEN or acrylic solvent.

Option 6 Schumanit

According to reviews on the Internet, primarily on the window forum forum.OKNA.ua, the Shumanit detergent from the Israeli company Buggy has proven itself well. But you have to be extremely careful, because this is a very strong remedy.

And the most reliable and easiest way to get rid of protective film is to remove the film before or immediately after installing the windows . In such cases, it can be removed easily and without any complications.

The procedure for performing work to restore the window sill.

After replacing the old window unit with a new one, do the following:

► Remove the old paint.

Please note that there are three ways to remove old paint.

Using heating with an electric hair dryer or gas burner.
Chemically, using special acids.
Mechanical method, using a hatchet or pickaxe (construction hammer).

Advice.

If the paint layer is not large (up to 3 mm), then it is better to use the first or second method to remove such a layer.
If the paint layer is thicker than 3 mm, then it is better to tap with a hatchet or pick.

In my case, the paint layer was 5 mm.

► We use a hatchet to break the old paint down to the concrete base.

► Sweep away dust and remaining paint. ► Prime with any primer for concrete.

► Let the soil dry for up to 24 hours. (Drying time should be written in the instructions). ► Attach the protective perforated corner to the end using putty.

The corner will hide all the irregularities and defects of the window sill.

Advice. If you want the end of the window sill to be straight on both sides. To do this, the protective corner must be placed not only from below, but also from above.

► We putty with any starting putty for concrete.

Advice. It is advisable that all materials be from the same manufacturer.

► We putty with finishing putty after the first starting layer has completely dried. ► Clean with fine sandpaper. ► Sweep with a clean brush. ► We paint with white enamel (semi-matte or glossy) three times, no less!

Advice. It is better to paint with a roller, then there will be no streaks. And further. Don't skimp on paint.

The window sill is ready.

This article could end here. But I think that this would not be complete information on this topic, because... There are also wooden window sills. Of course, hardly anyone leaves them. Still, I’ll tell you briefly.

Features for different types of dyes

When processing, it is also necessary to take into account the composition of the paint layer. The type of paint determines how effective the chosen method will be on it. For an oil base, a mechanical method with a grinder or spatula is suitable. It is recommended to remove water-based emulsion with solvents.

The acrylic layer is removed chemically or mechanically. Powder paint can be removed using a strong jet of water. It is recommended to wash several layers of any paint composition by heat treatment.

Homemade solutions

There is not always available cash to purchase special chemicals for cleaning paint. Ingenuity and skillful hands will come to the rescue. Homemade solution consists of:

caustic soda;
slaked lime;
crushed chalk

First, mix lime and chalk until smooth, and then add soda. The ideal consistency should look like thick sour cream.

Apply the prepared paste to the stains and leave the mixture for several hours. After the specified time has passed, you can easily remove the dirt with a spatula. The method is considered inexpensive compared to thermal and chemical ones.

Thermal method

This method is usually used if:

The stains are quite old.
Window stains have become very dry or difficult to remove.
The surface to be cleaned is large.
The paint layer is quite thick.

The tool used for this method is a regular hair dryer. But if you don’t have such a device, you can use an iron.

Naturally, before using high temperatures, the glass must be cleaned and degreased.

A heat gun is brought at a slight angle to the surface of the stain and waited until bubbles form. After this, the paint that has peeled off the windows is carefully removed with a spatula.

If you use a regular iron, then place a piece of foil on the stain and only then begin to heat the stain with an electric device.

Proper window painting begins with the crossbars that support the glass. Apply the material first to the horizontal slats and then to the vertical ones.

Tip: It is recommended to apply paint along the wood grain. So it lays down in a smooth, even layer. The corners should be painted with neat short strokes, without pressing too hard on the brush.

Working with plastic surfaces

Over time, even the highest quality window sill can lose its perfect white color. Under the influence of unfavorable factors, the base begins to turn yellow, spots and scratches of varying depths appear on it. During the restoration the following actions are performed:

Cleaning the window sill from accumulated dirt and dust using a regular cleaning product and a sponge.
Treat the surface with fine sandpaper, but do not press too hard, otherwise the plastic may be damaged.
Application of primer for polyvinyl chloride. Deep scratches and chips can be filled with putty. The treated surface is sanded again and cleaned of dust.
Protect the heating radiator using newspaper and masking tape.

Attention! The window sill can be coated with spray paint designed for automotive PVC parts or enamel combined with a primer.

Cleaning window sills from household pollution

You can clean a plastic window sill from yellow stains, rust, smudges and other household contaminants using ordinary detergents. Spray cleaners are very convenient to use; all you need to do is apply the product to the stain, wait a couple of minutes and wipe with microfiber. If you have any doubts about the advisability of using a plastic cleaner, just read the manufacturer’s recommendations on the label.

It is best to remove children's art on the windowsill using a melamine sponge. Small dirt stains can be easily wiped off with damp wipes.

And of course, what to do if the window sill has lost its color. This option is possible during long-term use of windows, when the surface of the window sill turns gray. Self-adhesive films are perfect for this; the main thing is to choose a film that is resistant to damage and moisture. Such coatings should be glued onto a clean and dry surface.

Cleaning a plastic window sill is quite simple; the main thing is to choose a cleaning agent and not allow it to become dirty. Old and stubborn dirt is much more difficult to remove than straight away.

How to remove old paint from metal

Before painting a metal structure, rust and old paint should be removed, otherwise the new coating will look unsightly and may quickly peel off. There are three main ways:

Mechanical — the surface is treated with sandpaper or a wire brush.
Cons: long, possible damage to the product.
Thermal - the surface is heated with a blowtorch until the paint begins to peel off.
Disadvantages: increased fire hazard, unsafe for health.
Chemical - removing paint using removers and solvents.
Cons: increased toxicity, environmental unsafety.

The last method is the most appropriate, since there is no risk of damage to the surface, and the work is completed quickly, without unnecessary effort.

Dyeing process

When starting the stage of direct painting, you should know what and how to paint wooden windows. To complete the work, you need to have several flat brushes with a width of 2-5 cm.

Let's consider the stages of work:

Open the jar.
Mix the composition.
We pour a little enamel into a jar for the convenience of performing direct work.
If necessary, dilute the enamel with a solvent.

The first painting is carried out with thin paint, which should saturate the wood over the entire surface. Only when the first layer of enamel has dried, do they proceed to re-painting. The final, third layer is carried out after the previous one has dried. The second and third batch of paint should be thicker than the first to prevent drips. In some cases, 2 layers of paint will be enough.

It is advisable to carry out exterior painting repairs at a time of year when the air temperature is not too high or below freezing, when the sun emits less ultraviolet radiation. A warm autumn day with no sign of rain is best.

Home First Aid Kit: Baking Soda

If you have baking soda on hand, you can dissolve it in warm water and use this solution as a cleaning agent for a white plastic window. Baking soda is not only used in the kitchen for baking cakes, but is also a well-known cleaning agent. Baking soda (chemical name sodium bicarbonate) primarily softens water and is a very important reagent for cleaning anything with water. In addition, using baking soda can remove or neutralize any odors.

Baking soda is safe for human health and the environment (completely biodegradable), and it also has bleaching properties, which is important in the case of a white plastic window. Alternatively, you can use it as a powder. Just do not overdo it when rubbing the surface of the PVC profile with this cleaning agent.

How to paint a wooden window sill with your own hands - step-by-step diagram

Step 1: Remove the old coating

There are several methods for removing old paint. The first method is to peel off the old paint using a hair dryer. Be sure to ventilate the room, as the paint, when exposed to high temperatures, will begin to emit a very unpleasant odor. The second method takes longer, but is also the cheapest. To do this, we will need sandpaper, with which we need to clean the window sill from the coating. Sandpaper will help not only remove old paint, but also level the surface of the window sill.

Step 2: Apply Primer

If there are any unevenness on the surface of the window sill, they must be covered with putty, which was prepared not with water, but with soil. However, before this, you should definitely degrease the window sill, remove small debris and thoroughly wipe off dust. The next step is to level the surface with a spatula. A day later, when the composition is completely dry, go over it again with sandpaper.

Step 3: Protect surfaces from paint

If you don’t want to spend a few more days scrubbing the paint off the floor and furniture, be sure to cover all objects and furniture close to the windows with regular film, and the area in front of the window sill is usually covered with masking tape. Plain newspapers are great for protecting the floor.

Mechanical cleaning

This method is quite suitable for use at home: it does not require complex equipment or special skills. To clean the glass you will need:

hot water;
dishwashing liquid;
a piece of clean cloth;
blade or sharpened thin knife.

You can use a stationery knife, as well as a special scraper of the required size. If you don’t have anything at hand, then a hard metal dishwasher will do.

To begin, dissolve the detergent in a container of hot water and moisten the old paint on the glass with this solution. To prevent moisture from getting on freshly painted wooden window sills, they must be covered with film.

Scraping paint should be done at an optimal angle of 45 degrees. This will avoid the formation of cracks and scratches.

Removing drops of paint from glass is done with gentle movements and in one direction, periodically removing dirt from the blade. If the drop is wet enough, the stain will come off easily. Do not constantly move the tool from side to side - this will easily scratch the window glass.

The sound that the blade should make cannot be anything like grinding or squeaking. This may indicate a dull tool. In this case, it should be changed.

After the plastic window has been completely cleared of paint, they begin to wash the glass using a special product with a spray bottle.