Removing Old Window Glass Without Losing a Finger—What Would You Do?

hollysnowboarder · 2025-04-13T17:04:33Z

Okay, so imagine this: you're finally tackling that old window that's been rattling around in your garage for ages. It's one of those ancient wooden frames with glass panes that look like they've been there since the dinosaurs roamed. You know the type—paint peeling, glazing putty crumbling away, and glass that's probably just waiting to shatter into a million tiny shards if you breathe on it wrong. Now, hypothetically speaking (totally hypothetical, of course), let's say you're halfway through carefully prying out the glazing putty when suddenly you hear that ominous little "crack." You freeze. The pane hasn't shattered yet, but there's definitely a hairline fracture creeping across it. You're standing there with gloves on (hopefully), safety glasses perched awkwardly on your nose, and a screwdriver in hand, wondering what your next move should be. Do you keep going and risk the whole thing breaking apart? Or do you stop right there and try some other method? Maybe tape it up first or something? I've heard some people swear by duct tape or painter's tape to hold things together temporarily. But then again, maybe that's just wishful thinking. Also, what about cleanup afterward? Let's say the worst happens and glass goes everywhere—how do you make sure you've got every last shard off the floor without slicing your foot open later? I've heard horror stories about tiny invisible splinters lurking around for weeks afterward. Anyway, curious how you'd handle this scenario. I'm not exactly Bob Vila over here, so any tips or personal experiences would be awesome.

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DIY Removing Old Windows

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foodie67

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Definitely agree about scoring the glazing compound—it makes a noticeable difference. Another thing I've found helpful is gently heating the putty with a heat gun or hair dryer beforehand... softens it up nicely and reduces the chance of cracking the glass. Anyone else tried this?

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Removing Old Window Glass Without Losing a Finger—What Would You Do?

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Removing Old Window Glass Without Losing a Finger—What Would You Do?

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