For the past couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about paint. From how to choose a paint color and pick the best sheen to how to paint a room from start to finish – I hope you’ve learned a lot along the way. Today, we’re going to talk about a paint job mistake. What do you do when you have peeling paint, especially near window frames?
This is a problem I encountered on my daughter’s window sills and ledges. While we have replaced many windows in our house, the ones in her room are approximately 30 years old. We painted the trim white when we moved in five years ago, but the old paint has been peeling and peeling ever since. If you have historic windows, you probably know what I’m talking about!
I think it’s because condensation builds up on the windows, especially on cold days, causing the paint to bubble and peel. So, you needed to know how to repair water damage and prevent it from happening again.
I noticed it got really bad when I replaced her window screens. Taking care of this ugly problem was added to my to-do list at that time. Fortunately, this little problem is an easy fix!
Repair Peeling Window Paint – Project Supplies
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand for this DIY project.
I want to point out that if you are painting windows, you want to make sure the weather conditions are ideal. Most types of paint have a specific temperature range for when they can be applied. I waited for a warm, sunny day to start this project, knowing that the windows would need to be open for it to dry properly.
Scrape it off
If you simply apply more paint to the existing surface, you will encounter the same problem over and over again. Instead, you need to get rid of the peeling original paint and it is better to get down to bare wood. The best way to do this is with a paint scraper! A wire brush can also work well. Run it along the damaged area, removing paint as you go.
I focused on the corners because those areas were the worst on our windows. Scrape off as much loose paint as possible. If you have large holes or gaps in the wood, you can fill these holes with wood putty and a putty knife to level the surface.
Side note: If your home was built before 1978 and the windows are painted, you may have lead paint. If so, you’ll need to use a lead set (like this one) to test before scraping off any paint. If so, you will need to go in a different direction to restore your windows.
Sand smooth
Once you have it scraped away, the next step is to smooth everything out. There are bound to be areas where there is exposed wood next to the paint and you don’t want this to be a harsh transition that may have a visible streak later. Sand everything down and use 220 grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge to make it as smooth as possible.
When you’re done, take a cloth and get rid of any dust or residue. You can also use a Shop Vac (this cordless one is a dream.) to get rid of that peeling paint. I also added some painter’s tape to the windows and around the appliances to prevent any paint from getting into those areas.
Use the appropriate primer to resist moisture
This is the most important step in this project. You want to use the correct primer so this doesn’t happen again. For this, you need a primer that has a built-in moisture control element.
This device, Aqua Lock Plus, provides a mold-resistant coating and helps seal porous surfaces. Additionally, it helps prevent water spots. I used this same can on the exterior of our house when refinishing some peeling paint. That was four years ago, and the paint still looks great!
I ended up applying a thin layer of primer, followed by another layer about thirty minutes later.
Finish with three light coats of paint
Once the primer dried, I got off the paint. All of the trim and millwork in our house were painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Simply White” with a semi-gloss sheen. I used a brush to paint three light coats over the painted surface, letting it dry for about 30 minutes to an hour.
With the final coat painted, I quickly removed the painter’s tape. I always suggest removing it when wet to prevent any peeling of the paint when you pull it up.
I leave the windows open for another 4-6 hours to dry as much as possible before closing and locking them when the kids get home from school.
Before after
Here’s a look at the repaired area. You wouldn’t know this was once a peeling mess! Between scraping, sanding, and priming, the patched area blends in perfectly with the rest of the paint.
Keep an eye on it
My plan is to keep an eye on these windows to see how the paint job holds up. If things get bad again, it may be time to replace these windows because air, water, and moisture are likely getting in there. Hopefully this painting method will prevent window replacement for a while, but we’ll see!
Plate 101
Here are additional drawing resources you can check out.
With all this involved in drawing, you should feel confident enough to tackle your next project. Whether it’s sprucing up your old windows with a fresh coat of paint or choosing the perfect color for your bedroom makeover, I’m always here to help!
