Graphite powder's solid advice, especially if you're dealing with buildup issues. I've used it myself on older windows, and it definitely cuts down on the grime factor compared to wax or silicone. Only downside I've noticed is that initial messiness you mentioned—gotta be careful not to track it around. Curious though, anyone tried beeswax? Heard it's less prone to buildup than paraffin, but haven't tested it personally yet...
Graphite powder's definitely a solid choice, especially for older windows with sticking issues. Beeswax is actually pretty good too—I’ve tried it a few times. It goes on smoother than paraffin, and you don't get that waxy buildup as quickly. Just rub a thin layer along the sash edges, then buff it lightly with a clean cloth. Keeps things sliding nicely without attracting too much dirt. Only downside is you'll probably need to reapply it more often than graphite...but hey, beats replacing windows every few years.
Have you considered silicone spray instead? I've found it lasts longer than beeswax and doesn't attract dirt as much. Graphite's good, but silicone seems smoother overall—just gotta be careful not to overspray onto the glass...bit of a pain to clean off.
Good tip on the silicone spray—I hadn't thought of that. I've mostly stuck with beeswax, but you're right, it does tend to pick up dirt over time. Silicone sounds promising, especially if it lasts longer between applications. I'll definitely give it a shot next time I tackle my windows...and thanks for the heads-up about overspray on the glass. Cleaning that stuff off is never fun.
"Silicone sounds promising, especially if it lasts longer between applications."
I've had good results with silicone spray myself, but another solid option is tung oil. It penetrates deeply into the wood fibers, offering excellent protection from moisture and UV damage without attracting dirt like beeswax. Application takes a bit more patience—thin coats and proper drying between—but the longevity makes it worthwhile. Might be worth experimenting with both methods on different windows to see which suits your conditions best...just my two cents from past experience.
Application takes a bit more patience—thin coats and proper drying between—but the longevity makes it worthwhile. Might be worth experimenting with both methods on different windows to see whic...
Silicone spray does work, but honestly, I've found it can sometimes trap moisture underneath if the wood isn't perfectly dry beforehand. Tung oil's decent, but personally, I've had better luck with linseed oil. It's cheaper, easy to apply (just brush on thin coats, wipe off excess, let dry thoroughly), and it really brings out the wood grain nicely. Might need reapplication a bit sooner, but overall it's been solid for me.
Linseed oil's been my go-to as well. Silicone spray always seemed iffy to me—had a window where it trapped moisture and ended up worse off. Linseed's straightforward, affordable, and the grain really pops afterward. Only downside is waiting around for drying...but worth it imo.
Linseed oil does the trick for sure, but honestly, the drying time drives me nuts. Last summer, I tried tung oil on a couple of windows—heard good things about it drying faster and being more water-resistant. It did dry quicker, and the finish was pretty nice, but price-wise...ouch. Still, silicone sprays are a definite no-go for me too; had similar moisture-trapping issues. Guess it's always a trade-off between patience and budget, huh?