Using Steam to Remove Old Glazing and Glass 

I love this video. But the "little glass holder" is FABULOUS! Thanks

I had just 2 small sash's to do so I used a contractors garbage bag to put the windows in . Purchased a kettle at the local thrift store $5.00. I removed the switch that shuts off the kettle when it reaches boiling point so now will stay boiling continuously. Put everything in the bag and 1/2 later the putty was soft enough to remove the pressed glass panes. Worked great. Thanks for the video.

Thank you for this tutorial. I have 8 windows (16 sashes) to do on an old cottage. This will help a great deal. I just need to build the box and find a steamer. Will watch more videos on this subject if you have them.

So glad to find your channel. Great videos

In ten years of carpentry and joinery i have never had anyone tell me this tip for removing old putty, best thing i was told was use a heat gun and something to protect the glass from the heat

I’ve tried it and failed without steam and just ended up with broken glass. This is the only way to go. Steam chamber took me a couple days even with the nice instructions but I learned a lot just making it. Mostly about how a proper workspace can save you so much time and energy! My little clothes steamer was pathetic so I hooked up to my dryer vent and add sopping wet towels and high heat. Temperature doesn’t exceed 120F unfortunately but lots of steam. Because of the high airflow the chamber doesn’t need to be well sealed, gives a constant flow of warm steam. Just take your time try to use minimal pressure to remove the glazing putty and glazing points. Agree about how ugly new windows are. I have over 10 windows to go, now it’s totally doable!!! Thank you!!!!!

Thanks dude, helpful!

I have a few Windows with a varnish on the inside any idea how to get the glazign out with out desgtoryign the varnish. I have a stean box simlier to yous that works great on the glazign putty. and also bubble the paint really well also.

great thinking ,,Surprized, especially volume work, what about using a wall paper stripping tool to put small holes in the frame and steam it again ?? man that paint came off nice ,, i ve never seen those small pins, they must be hell to use,, I ve been in ENGLAND to long,, we got the something similar except we have a bit of tiny angle steel for a place to push

What model Jiffy steamer do you have? 4000?

HOW LONG DID YOU LEAVE THE SASH IN THE STEAMER FOR ?

Thank you so much ! but now I have to build my own steamer before my wife trash the sash..

Do you have any tricks for getting the glass out of the kerf that's cut in the lower sash? I have some large single-lite windows and I'm having a hell of a time getting the glass out of the lower sashes

In repainting these windows that are steamed - How long do you wait to re-glaze and prime?

Your technique looks like a huge improvement over a heat gun. But, I wondered as I watched whether or not the steam would weaken the glue joints in the sash. Evidently, it doesn't, or you would not recommend. But, I am still curious - do you know of a date at which moisture-proof glue came into use? I am thinking that windows of great antiquity might be more vulnerable to glue failure than newer ones. Thanks.

Hello Steve, great video. I'm a caretaker in California for an estate built in 1884. Our next project is to restore 90 something double hung windows. I used your steam box idea, but cannot get the internal temp over 100 degrees. I noticed you said how HOT the windows were when you took them out. Im using an older Jiffy fabric steamer as the vapor source. Any ideas on increasing the internal temp? It is pretty cold here outside ( 42 degrees) and might be part of temp problem. Thanks for your input. Mark

Good video. But in the interest of clarity, whenever you say "glazing," I think you mean 'putty.' The glazing is the glass.

Yeah cuz EVERYBODY has one of those steamers at their home... Come on give a more practical way to do it...smh