Removing paint from lead windows

[1650dml]

Hello all, we want to be able to remove paint that is on the lead in our leaded windows. Please can anyone recommend anything ? Is there a paint stripper or is it best to use a gentle grinder ? Or best to just leave well alone ? Thank you for any help on this. For information, it's a 1650 house. See attached photo. Thank you.

 

[Cubist]

A couple of questions first if I may;

- Is the offending paint only on the fillet where the leaded frame meets the wooden outer frame or on the grill formed by the lead?
- Is the outer fillet holding the leaded glass frame in place formed with putty with a sloping face or are these made of thin wooden fillets?

If the fillet is made of putty you may not want to see the dull greyish/white colour of its surface once it exposed.

Under no circumstances should you try to use heat. The best approach is to carefully paint the surface with a paint stripper and when its had a chance to work agitate and scrape the paint off using wooden or plastic spatulas. Do not be aggressive with even these soft tools - the lead beading is delicate and easy to damage. You also need to be conscious that some chemical paint strippers may damage the wax traditionally used to 'seal' the panes of glass in the lead beading. The same holds true if you try to use a white spirit or turpentine substitute to clean off any residual paint. Be careful to test a small area first and try not use metals tools or abrasive pads to remove the final paint layers. Also, check first if intending to use plastic spatulas, the paint stripper of choice may melt these.

 

[1650dml]

Thank you for your reply. To answer your questions 1) the paint is on the outer fillet where it meets the outer frame 2) the outer fillet is held in place by putty.

We have tried to use a paint stripper with patchy results. The paint is very difficult to remove from the lead.

I appreciate the advice. We will try a different paint stripper. If you have any recommendations they would be most welcome.

 

[LadyArowana]

Our builder used ‘Strypit’ on a small cast iron hob grate and surround which had been gooped with various and a top layer of white gloss. Nitromors did nothing even when properly applied and given time to work.

 

[a twig]

Nitromors is rubbish now since they removed the dichloromethane a few years back. Obviously pretty nasty stuff with lots of nasty health impacts but also the main active ingredient so worth looking elsewhere. Strippers of Sudbury can usually recommend something appropriate

 

[nicobobinus]

Nitromors is rubbish now since they removed the dichloromethane a few years back. Obviously pretty nasty stuff with lots of nasty health impacts but also the main active ingredient so worth looking elsewhere. Strippers of Sudbury can usually recommend something appropriate

I used to live in Sudbury and everything they recommended to me was wholly inappropriate.

 

[Ashville87]

We stripped our front door back to timber and also an original Victorian slate fireplace back to bare with Peelaway. Worked well for us when left overnight, stubborn parts may need done a couple of times. Can be a bit messy.

 

[a twig]

I used to live in Sudbury and everything they recommended to me was wholly inappropriate.

Fair enough! They’ve been pretty helpful for me in the past - guess times change!

 

[nicobobinus]

Fair enough! They’ve been pretty helpful for me in the past - guess times change!

Oh, they are constantly helpful, and very willing to please, but their negotiable affection is downright improper.
It's possible we're talking about different organisations, now I think about it...

 

[a twig]

For clarity - I meant this lot: https://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/ - I won’t pass comment on who you were thinking of!

 

[1650dml]

Thank you all for your replies. Will take it all on board. Have a good week !

 

[LadyArowana]

Oh, they are constantly helpful, and very willing to please, but their negotiable affection is downright improper.
It's possible we're talking about different organisations, now I think about it...

Were you by chance looking for a ‘seamstress’ ?

 

[nicobobinus]

Were you by chance looking for a ‘seamstress’ ?

Thank you getting the reference! :-D