- Painter's caulk is definitely easier to handle, but silicone has its perks—especially in wet areas. Trick I learned: masking tape on both sides of the joint. Peel it off right after smoothing, and suddenly silicone isn't such a nightmare.
- Totally relate on the primer thing. Once skipped sanding before repainting kitchen cabinets because "they looked smooth enough." Big mistake... paint peeled off in sheets within weeks. Lesson painfully learned.
- Foggy windows are a constant battle here too. Tried the sock trick, plastic film, even bubble wrap (don't judge, desperate times...). Eventually bit the bullet and reglazed a few panes properly. Tedious, but worth it—no more condensation puddles every morning.
- Curious though, did you end up replacing the whole window or just resealing the edges? Always debating if it's worth the hassle to fully replace older windows or just patch them up for another season or two.
"Eventually bit the bullet and reglazed a few panes properly. Tedious, but worth it—no more condensation puddles every morning."
Totally agree about reglazing being tedious but rewarding. Did mine last fall, and it's been a game changer this winter. One tip I'd add: when removing old glazing putty, heat it gently with a heat gun first—it softens right up and comes off way easier. Just don't linger too long or you'll risk cracking the glass... learned that one the hard way.
"when removing old glazing putty, heat it gently with a heat gun first—it softens right up and comes off way easier."
Good tip about the heat gun. I've used that method before, but honestly, I find it kind of hit-or-miss. If the putty's ancient and rock-hard (like the stuff on my 1940s windows), sometimes a little heat just doesn't cut it. I've ended up resorting to careful chiseling and scraping more often than not, and yeah, cracked a pane or two myself. One thing I did find helpful was spraying a bit of water onto the glass before heating—it seems to even out the heat a bit and reduces the cracking risk.
Anyway, I finally tackled reglazing my kitchen windows last summer after years of foggy mornings and constant towel duty. Painfully tedious job, but I have to admit, it made a noticeable difference this winter. No more puddles on the sill or moldy corners... so I guess it was worth the hassle after all.
Yeah, heat guns can be tricky with really old putty. If it's stubborn, try scoring along the putty edge with a utility knife first—helps the heat penetrate better. Also, angle your scraper slightly away from the glass as you go; reduces the risk of cracking panes (learned that one the hard way...). Tedious job for sure, but nothing beats clear windows on a cold morning.
"Tedious job for sure, but nothing beats clear windows on a cold morning."
Couldn't agree more about that feeling... makes the hassle worth it. Have you ever tried using one of those infrared heat lamps instead of a heat gun? I stumbled onto one at a garage sale last summer and figured I'd give it a shot. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—like, how much difference could it really make? But it seemed to soften the old putty evenly without scorching or cracking the glass. Maybe it was beginner's luck, who knows?
Also, curious if anyone else finds certain scrapers easier to handle? I started with a wide-bladed scraper thinking it'd speed things up, but ended up switching to a narrower one halfway through. Felt like I had way more control around the edges. Still took forever though... guess there's no real shortcut when you're dealing with decades-old glazing putty, huh?
I tried the infrared lamp trick too after seeing it on YouTube—worked pretty well actually, but I still managed to crack one pane (typical me). Narrow scraper was definitely easier... wide ones just made me nervous around the edges. Guess patience is key, huh?
Haha, patience definitely helps, but honestly, I've found that a hairdryer on low heat works wonders too. Less risky than infrared lamps (been there, cracked that). Narrow scrapers are my go-to as well—wide ones always feel like I'm about to perform surgery blindfolded. And if you're really fed up with the foggy window saga, those moisture absorber packs from the hardware store are surprisingly effective. Saved me from losing my sanity last winter...
Totally agree about the moisture absorber packs—they've saved me more times than I care to admit. One year, after trying every trick in the book (including your hairdryer method, which admittedly does work pretty well), I finally bit the bullet and invested in a small dehumidifier. Game changer. It's quiet enough that you barely notice it's running, and it keeps the windows clear without any extra fuss.
Also, you're spot-on about wide scrapers—I once scratched my window frame badly with one of those clumsy things. Narrow scrapers give you way better control, especially in tight corners. Another little tip I've found helpful: wiping down windows with a microfiber cloth after scraping helps prevent immediate re-fogging. Might sound like extra work, but honestly it takes just a minute and makes a noticeable difference.
Glad to know I'm not alone in this endless winter battle...
I've been thinking about a dehumidifier too, but does it really handle the whole room evenly or just the area near the windows? My place has some awkward corners and I'm worried it'll only help in one spot. Totally agree on the narrow scrapers though—learned that lesson after leaving a nasty scratch myself. Also, have you tried using vinegar-water spray before wiping down with microfiber? Seems to keep fog away longer for me...or maybe that's just wishful thinking.
"My place has some awkward corners and I'm worried it'll only help in one spot."
You're right to wonder about that—dehumidifiers don't exactly circulate air evenly on their own. If your room has tricky corners, try placing the unit centrally, away from walls or furniture that block airflow. A small fan positioned opposite the dehumidifier can really help spread the dry air around. And yep, vinegar-water spray does work nicely—it's not just wishful thinking. Vinegar leaves a thin film that helps prevent condensation buildup... at least temporarily. Better than nothing, right?