I'm about to tackle some old wooden window frames in my house and I'm debating between using a pry bar carefully or cutting around the edges first with a utility knife. Anyone tried either method and have a preference?
I've done this a couple of times, and honestly, I'd recommend doing both. Last summer, I tried just using a pry bar on some old wooden frames, thinking it'd be quicker. Ended up splintering the wood pretty badly in a few spots—wasn't a total disaster, but definitely more cleanup than I'd hoped for. Next window, I scored around the edges first with a utility knife, just enough to break through the paint and caulk buildup. It took maybe an extra five minutes, but the frame came out way cleaner and easier. Less damage to the surrounding trim, too.
If your windows have multiple layers of paint or caulk, cutting first really helps. Pry bars alone tend to pull chunks of wood or plaster off if you're not careful. Learned that the hard way...
Definitely agree with scoring first—makes a huge difference. Also found that using a thin putty knife alongside the pry bar helps spread pressure evenly, reducing splintering. Takes a bit more patience, but worth it for cleaner results.