Jodi Marks using a flat pry bar to open a window that has been painted shut.
To free paint stuck window:
Score the paint film where the sash meets the frame on both the inside and outside of the window.
Insert a putty knife in the gap between sash and frame, and run it around the opening on the inside and outside of the window.
Position a flat pry bar on the outside of the window where the sash meets the sill, and tap it with a hammer to force the pry bar under the sash.
Carefully pry the sash up, working from each side.
6 COMMENTS
All my windows are painted shut in my 1930 bungalow home. Your video was very informative, however nothing was mention about the possibility of the paint containing lead. What would one do in that situation?
One thing that I do is spray WD-40 along the edges to get into the groves to help the window slide up and down I also scrape the paint off the slides and finish with a steel wool to get the paint off and smooth it down for easy moving of the window. Takes time but the result is an easy sliding window.
use these process to open a painted shut window 10
a) Score the paint film where the sash meets the frame on both the inside and outside of the window.
B) Insert a putty knife in the gap between sash and frame, and run it around the opening on the inside and outside of the window.
I have sash windows and it’s been painting from the Inside with white gloss paint but unfortunately I can’t get from the outside to open it but it looks like it’s been painted from the inside how do I open it
Joe Truini has plenty of caulking tips! In this one, learn how to hack your tube of caulk to get the perfect finish on joints every time! Watch this video to learn more.
All my windows are painted shut in my 1930 bungalow home. Your video was very informative, however nothing was mention about the possibility of the paint containing lead. What would one do in that situation?
One thing that I do is spray WD-40 along the edges to get into the groves to help the window slide up and down I also scrape the paint off the slides and finish with a steel wool to get the paint off and smooth it down for easy moving of the window. Takes time but the result is an easy sliding window.
use these process to open a painted shut window 10
a) Score the paint film where the sash meets the frame on both the inside and outside of the window.
B) Insert a putty knife in the gap between sash and frame, and run it around the opening on the inside and outside of the window.
If the old paint contains lead, don’t eat it or add it to your coffee…
I have sash windows and it’s been painting from the Inside with white gloss paint but unfortunately I can’t get from the outside to open it but it looks like it’s been painted from the inside how do I open it
Hi, Samantha,
These directions should work, whether you’re working from the inside or the outside: https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-open-a-painted-shut-window/2/
Good luck!