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 Hi, I have an old Masonic, I believe, stained glass window. I have removed the intact glass and made templets of the missing pieces. I now need to take the wooden frame apart to properly clean and refurbish the wood which has not been painted and probably had not been oiled since it was made. There are a couple of water stains, but I am most worried about cleaning and beewaxing the wood. It will not be placed outside again. So, I have two questions, the first is any ideas on the best way to take the frame apart. The second is there are a couple of pieces on the front, though mostly on the back side of the frame that are missing. Is there a supply place where I might be able to find replacements that I could stain, if necessary to match the old wood, once I get it clean? I know it is not good to mix old and new, but I am worried about structural integrity. Thanks. Jeanne
Answer Dear Jeanne,
I apologize for the delay in answering your question.
Without seeing the frame I am only able to give you general information. The means in which to disassemble an old wood frame is 'very carefully'. That is not a smart alec remark. Look the frame over under good light. look for pins, pegs, fasteners of any kind that may be securing the mortise and tenon joint (this is a traditional method of frame fabrication). Then carefully remove only what is necessary. There is also a commercial two-part wood epoxy that can be stained.
