How to Prime for Window Glazing

Carefully pry old glazing loose with a putty knife or paint scrapper. The process is easier to do if you start at a loose or broken part of the glazing. Pry up a loose end and pull it free from the window. If the glazing is stubborn and difficult to remove use a heat gun on the glazing. Set the heat gun on low. Once the glazing is warm insert the edge of the putty knife into it and work it loose. Avoid touching the glass with the heat gun.

Scrape the edges of the window frame with a putty knife or paint scraper after removing the glazing. This removes the last tiny bits of glazing as well as other bits of dirt and debris.

Sand the edges of the window frame with sandpaper until the edges are smooth and even. Dust the edges of the window frame with an old paint brush or small hand broom to remove sanding dust. Wipe the edges of the window frame with a clean cloth and mineral spirits.

Inspect the quality of the wood on the window frame. If the wood is in good shape use a latex or oil-based primer on the window frame. Apply the primer with a paint brush. If the wood is decayed or deteriorated apply an epoxy consolidate to the window frame with a paint brush. The epoxy consolidate penetrates the wood, fills in cracks and restores damaged wood.