How to paint a sash window video
You will need:
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Protective sheets
- A damp sponge,
- A sanding block
- Masking tape,
- Paint
- A small one-inch paintbrush
Don't let your sash windows detract from your décor. Follow our instructions on freshening them up with a lick of paint.
Time to complete job: 3 hours plus drying time
Approximate budget: From £15
Tip: Ideally, paint your windows in the morning to maximise drying time. Depending on the drying conditions, this should leave your windows enough time to dry before you need to close them for the night.
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Step 1: Preparation - cleaning
To avoid any stains, start by protecting your surfaces with sheets.
Sound paintwork should be washed with a sponge and sugar soap. It's vital to remove any dirt, grease or loose material before you decorate as you don't want to ruin the final appearance or deal with flaking paint later on. Wash thoroughly but make sure you don't soak the wood as it will need to be fully dry before you paint. -
Step 2: Preparation - sanding
Rub the woodwork down with a sanding block to provide a smooth surface ready to receive the new paint. Bear in mind that old paintwork may contain lead which is a potential health risk. If you're not sure, it may be worth calling in a professional. Any defects or bare patches you uncover will need to be touched up with a little undercoat before decorating.
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Step 3: Masking off the glass
Using masking tape, mask off the glass close to the wood (but not quite touching it). As a general rule, your undercoat should not touch the glass but you can let your overcoat lap onto your glass by no more than 2mm.
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Step 4: Begin painting
Painting a sash window can seem an awkward task but the secret is in moving the sashes as you work. Start by lifting the inner bottom sash, and lowering the outer top sash. Try to expose at least half of the now lower outer sash. Start painting in the centre and work outwards, painting the cross-bars first before moving onto the side-rails.
It may take a few windows for you to achieve a good brushing technique but start by not over-painting or being over-careful. Remember - smooth, relaxed strokes will yield the best results. -
Step 5: Rotate the sashes & finish painting
Now you can rotate the sashes by pushing down the inner sash and using the unpainted crossbar of the outer sash to pull it up. This will expose all the unpainted areas which can now be blended in to the previously painted woodwork. If you are painting the sill as well, leave this till last. Lift the lower sash up to give you enough access.
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Step 6: Drying & finishing
Leave the windows in this final position until the paint is nearly dry and then remove any masking tape you have left. This should be peeled back on itself at a slight angle away from the edge. Take it off slowly as ripping may cause damage to the paintwork.
Finally, use a bladed paint scraper to remove any spots of paint from the glass or to trim the edges.
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