Removing 100 year old Glazing?

[gordon]

Hello All

What can be used to remove 100 year oId glazing from a tall case's door for the hood? Need instruction for a 100 year old Sottish tall case with broken glass on the door for its hood.

When I tried using a chisel it seemed to require enough force that would shake the door's frame apart. I am hopping for a much less agressive method to remove glazing.

Attached is a photo of the project.

 

[Steve Neul]

The best method I've found is with steam. You could use a steamer made for cleaning or a wallpaper steamer. Get the steam between the glass and the glazing and it chips off in hunks with a putty knife.

 

[Ralph]

Judicious use with an oscillating saw might do the trick.

Regular glazing compound will soften with heat. My experience with early glazing compound, is that it is like cement and ignores heat.

Mileage may vary.

Ralph

 

[gordon]

Hello Ralph and Steve Neul

Thank you for the replies. I did see a you tube video where a steamer was used on glazing that had been subjected to weather. The steam did work well on that window.

The glazing on this door does seem to be as tough as cement. The oscillating saw is a possibility. It does seem risky. But if the steam or heat fail I will work with the oscillating saw.

Gordon

 

[Steve Neul]

On a loose window I have also set up a straightedge and used a router to remove glazing. At least you can control where the router cuts, unlike an oscillating saw. It's just awful abrasive to the router bits. Most of the time when I remove glazing it's on the window of a house where that isn't feasible. Even soaking a window in a dip tank doesn't affect the glazing much. It takes the paint off but leaves the glazing alone. For some reason the steam helps. It's still a lot of work.

Hello Ralph and Steve Neul

Thank you for the replies. I did see a you tube video where a steamer was used on glazing that had been subjected to weather. The steam did work well on that window.

The glazing on this door does seem to be as tough as cement. The oscillating saw is a possibility. It does seem risky. But if the steam or heat fail I will work with the oscillating saw.

Gordon

 

[TQ60]

You coukd try different solvents on the glass to see if any wick under the glass.

Try different things, atf works well sometimes as does acetone

 

[gordon]

Hello Steve Neul and TQ60l

The router is another option that may be easier to deal with.

atf is that Automatic Transmission Fluid?

If I remember Glazing is made from Linseed Oil and Whiting. If the 100 year old glazing is the same the trans fluid would probably work.

Gordon

 

[Joe Gargery]

I had to remove some ancient glazing from one of my old clocks and it too was like concrete.
I used my small Dremel Tool and an abrasive wheel like this. It cut through it pretty easily with very little risk of damage.
A little bit dusty.
Joe

 

[gordon]

Hello All

MR George Waterhouse recommended using a soldering gun. I have found this method to be safe for the wooden door's frame.