Go Back  DoItYourself.com Community Forums > Interior Improvement Center > Doors, Skylights and Windows
Reload this Page >

Remove 50 year old crystalline type window caulk

Remove 50 year old crystalline type window caulk


  #1  
Old 07-31-17, 09:03 AM
P
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: United States
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Remove 50 year old crystalline type window caulk

I am trying to re-glaze a 18 pane picture window. Our house is 57 years old.
The original glazing is a clear crystalline type hard caulk.
When the window was repainted 20 years ago, the painter applied more caulk - different and over caulked the window pane.
I am trying to take out the old caulk and get down to the wood frame.
I tried using a hair dryer and only broke the glass.
I am good friends with my glass repair man, but he does not want to do any more.
I had some luck with paint stripper - applied and then covered with plastic wrap - leaving it on for a couple of weeks. Then with a putty knife you could pick off the lumps of caulk.
Is there a better way? I have attached a photo of my problem.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
PatName:  IMG_0553.jpg
Views: 224
Size:  26.6 KBName:  IMG_0554.jpg
Views: 188
Size:  26.6 KB
 
  #2  
Old 07-31-17, 10:38 AM
S
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 700
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
I can understand why your friend doesn't want to work on it anymore. You're better off replacing it.
 
  #3  
Old 07-31-17, 10:45 AM
S
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WI/MN
Posts: 19,125
Received 1,263 Upvotes on 1,204 Posts
I'd be replacing a 57 year old window with something more efficient.
 
  #4  
Old 07-31-17, 10:57 AM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,659
Received 835 Upvotes on 732 Posts
Is there a special reason for wanting to get it down to the wood frame? I've always just scraped off the loose, primed and reglazed as needed. Not certain there is any benefit to removing it all. As mentioned above a new window would be more energy efficient and operate better.
 
  #5  
Old 07-31-17, 11:07 AM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,061
Received 1,910 Upvotes on 1,716 Posts
You can use a heat gun or torch, but expect to break glass. You can use a Prazi putty chaser, but expect to break glass. This is the sort of thing that just isn't worth it unless your time is free... no fast way to do it, to hire it done the labor would add up in a hurry.
 
  #6  
Old 07-31-17, 01:20 PM
S
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 700
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
I recommended a replacement. Stickshift also recommended a replacement but added that it would be more efficient. I totally agree.
 
  #7  
Old 08-01-17, 07:06 AM
P
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: United States
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Replacement window very expensive

Thank you for all the replies.
This window faces the west and the unsightly caulking has been vexing to me.

I am retired and thought it would be an easy job to take off the unsightly caulking. Keeps me away from the refrigerator!!!!

From the inside the caulking overflows the wood molding - looks terrible.

On the outside - as you can see - it is cracking.
I am not going to try the heat gun again -

Am surprised no one has a chemical suggestion that could soften this old caulking.

Unless I win the lottery to replace this huge window- I will be outside with my paint remover and plastic wrap - it did work.
Time consuming? Yes - but I have a very low per hour rate.

thanks for all the replies.
Pat
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: