AboutValerie McCartney Expertise Visit our web site at www.churchwindows.net. I can answer questions about restoration and repair of stained glass windows and their surrounds. I can, also, answer technical questions regarding matching old glass, glass painting (kiln-fired), waterproofing panels (cementing), re-inforcing, removal, and installation. I can not answer questions on glass casting, Dalle de Verre, or glass blowing.
Experience
Past/Present partial client list Aboite Baptist Church, Ft. Wayne, IN; Immaculate Conception Church, Three Rivers, MI; St. Monica Church, Kalamazoo, MI; St. Charles Catholic Church, Coldwater, MI; St. Clair Catholic Church, Centreville, MI; St. Mary's Church, West Phalia, MI; Pleasant View Church of Christ, Angola, IN; St. Paul United Church of Christ, LaPorte, IN; First Congregational United Church of Christ, Olivet College, Olivet, MI; First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Kalamazoo, MI; Trinity Lutheran Church, Culver, IN; St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Breman, IN; Grace Lutheran Church, Germfaske, MI; St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Rogers City, MI; United Methodist Church, Bellevue, MI; Augusta Fellowship United Methodist Church, Augusta, MI; United Methodist Church, Galena, IL; Metropolitan United Methodist Church, Detroit, MI; University United Methodist Church, Lansing, MI; Believer's Bible Fellowship Church, Churubusco, IN; St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church, Battle Creek, MI; First Presbyterian Church, Allegan, MI; First Reformed Church, Grand Haven, MI; Bellmor House, Grosse Pointe, MI; Milwood Middle School, Kalamazoo, MI;
Experience in the area I have owned and operated Full Spectrum Stained Glass, Inc. since 1988. (www.churchwindows.net)
Organizations The Stained Glass Association of America, The American Glass Guild, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan
Question 1st and most basic - one of these was re-framed - I'm not certain the frame is correct - how do I tell which side is "in" and which is "out"? I guessed the stubbiness of the glass helps..yes?
Two of the pieces are old, old frames - I assume lead paint, so I have to be careful - after the paint is scraped off, and glass cleaned, what should I use to re-putty the edges of the frame? I'm a Lowes/Home Depot guy...last, one of the answers suggested a silver polish for the frame and glass. Do yu recommend a polish?
Much thanks for the web site - 1st time at any of this...ed
Answer Dear Ed,
It is unclear what type of frame you are inquiring about. I will assume it is a zinc or lead frame since you are asking about polish. The 'stubbiness' is the textured side of the glass and should be to the interior of an exterior window.
We do not use polish on our windows. They acquire a polished appearance with the whiting that is used after the waterproofing process.
To re-glaze panels into wood frames use traditional oil base glazing compound if you are going to paint the wood frames. If you are not going to paint the frames, use silicone (caulk tube).
