Tag: Window

#13 Sash window picture frame

Transformation cost: $30.62

This window was truly a labor of love. After 10 months in my gazebo it finally got the attention it deserved but it took a very long time to remove the panes of glass, scrape away old putty and sand the woodwork. On a positive note, the multiple layers of paint that had been applied over the years offered up a rich layering effect when it was heavily distressed.
Having recently paid $$$s for a couple of professional framing jobs this transformation was well worth the effort!

The first job was to painstakingly remove the hardware, metal stripping and all 6 panes of glass.
Only 4 of the panes survived!

With the wood frame stripped of all its accessories it was time for the first good scrub with a weak soap solution to remove months of build up.

Starting with 80 grit and finishing with 220 grit sandpaper I distressed the clean frame. I wanted to keep a rustic look to the piece and didn’t intend to apply any paint so I worked to expose all the different layers of paint and some of the wood. Once I had the look I was after I gave the piece a second, final clean before sealing it with a coat of
Rust-Oleum Satin Clear Enamel.

I bought a multi-pack of matte boards with 8 x 10 openings and cut them to fit the pane openings. Two panes of glass from Ace Hardware and 6 pieces of hardboard cut by my husband rounded out my supply list for this project. I was ready to put it all together.

In each opening I secured glass, photo, matte board and hardboard using glazier points. A couple of d-ring hangers were added to the frame for hanging.

#7 Sash window mirrored organizer

Transformation cost: $24.11

I’ve been dying to experiment with mirror paint so when a neighbor was discarding her old sash windows I knew this was my chance. I also chose this project to see if crackle medium works with spray paints.

First I removed hardware, metal stripping, and one of the two panes of glass. I then gave everything a good clean and, with the remaining glass protected, a light sanding.

I filled screw holes with wood putty and primed the exposed wood. When putty and primer had dried I applied a coat of Rust-Oleum Metallic gold paint to the front of the frame. I then added a piece of pegboard in the empty opening and secured it with some 1/4 square doweling.

Now for my crackle medium/spray paint experiment. I applied crackle medium over the gold paint and let it dry for 1.5 hours. When the top coat of Krylon Chalky Finish in Bonnet Pink went on – Nothing. Zip. Didn’t work. Note to self: Crackling doesn’t work when the top coat is a spray paint. Instead, after a couple of days, I lightly sanded the top coat to expose the gold paint underneath and give it a more aged look. I then gave everything a couple of coats of clear gloss enamel. I know some of you will be thinking “Why put gloss enamel over a chalky finish. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?” Well, since my purpose was to use up this pink paint more than to have a chalky finish, it’s all good!

Now for my next experiment: My first encounter with mirror paint. Fortunately I read the can before starting or it could have been a disaster. The mirror paint is applied to the BACK of the piece of glass. In all honesty both sides ended up almost equally reflective but it’s obvious to me now that you don’t want the paint on the front where you’re going to clean!

I finished the piece with a sheet of hardboard on the back, to protect the mirror finish,
and a couple of multiple tool rack pegs.