Refurbishing double hung weighted windows. Paint question

[EvilBetty]

Trying to bring my 1930 windows back to life. Paint is pealing so I am stripping them. Here is my problem:
I am sanding them in place (not taking them apart/out of frame). I have stripped and sanded the windows but it appears they were originally varnished, and then oil painted. As the glass is still in place I won't be able to sand these down completely to raw wood. There will also always be trace amounts of the original oil paint stuck in the corners of the window lites and in any depressions in the wood. And there will always be residual varnish that soaked into the wood from long ago.

does this mean that my only option to repaint is to use and oil based primer with oil based paints? I really don't want to use oil based enamel or anything like that. It is just such a pain in the ass using solvents, plus enamels typically yellow over time and they are very crack prone as they don't have a lot of elasticity.

is there some sort of miracle primer out there that will go over the wood that has residual unknown varnish that can then be painted with a latex paint?

 

[Donqluione]

Might want to edit or delete this, Google lead-based paint.

 

[EvilBetty]

Might want to edit or delete this, Google lead-based paint.

99% of the paint removal is being done by softening the paint with a heat gun and scraping it away with a putty knife (while it is soft), so there is very little paint remaining for the final sanding. It is primarily just the residual underlying varnish that is being sanded.

well ventilated room with respirator nonetheless

 

[cyched44]

Sand as best you can, use tack cloths to remove any dust. Prime any bare wood, with alkyd primer, top with latex.

 

[EvilBetty]

Might want to edit or delete this, Google lead-based paint.

got me all paranoid so I have been looking into it more. I knew lead paint dust was REALLY bad but didn't realize it was REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. Like the worst stuff on the planet type of bad.

There is only 1 coat of paint on the interior besides the coat I put on when i moved in 7 years ago as a stop gap so there is a chance the sashes were just varnished for the bulk of their lives and perhaps that one layer of paint is not lead based. I'm gonna go get a lead paint test though to be sure and assess the situation from there. The exteriors definitely have lead paint, but i'm not touching that.

 

[Donqluione]

got me all paranoid so I have been looking into it more. I knew lead paint dust was REALLY bad but didn't realize it was REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. Like the worst stuff on the planet type of bad.

There is only 1 coat of paint on the interior besides the coat I put on when i moved in 7 years ago as a stop gap so there is a chance the sashes were just varnished for the bulk of their lives and perhaps that one layer of paint is not lead based. I'm gonna go get a lead paint test though to be sure and assess the situation from there. The exteriors definitely have lead paint, but i'm not touching that.

Checking everything out would be a great move. Hope it all turns out well for you.

 

[EvilBetty]

multiple lead tests came back negative for the interior paint. so that's cool. no hazmat suit needed afterall.

 

[Donqluione]

multiple lead tests came back negative for the interior paint. so that's cool. no hazmat suit needed afterall.

That's great! Your research presumably made you aware of the hazards of the sanding dust from the window exteriors, that it can be tracked, so if there is any residual dust it would be prudent to clean it up to the extent possible. And, are aware of the potential hazards from the fumes, from any future heat gun work.

As long as I'm in the public health service mode, if your house has any old vinyl floor covering aka linoleum, it usually had asbestos in it. No worries if it's intact or covered up, disturbing/removal necessitates precautions.

Old homes are great for all of extra character. And rewarding to restore/enhance, hope you enjoy yours.

 

[singsing]

got me all paranoid so I have been looking into it more. I knew lead paint dust was REALLY bad but didn't realize it was REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. Like the worst stuff on the planet type of bad.

There is only 1 coat of paint on the interior besides the coat I put on when i moved in 7 years ago as a stop gap so there is a chance the sashes were just varnished for the bulk of their lives and perhaps that one layer of paint is not lead based. I'm gonna go get a lead paint test though to be sure and assess the situation from there. The exteriors definitely have lead paint, but i'm not touching that.

I'm lead certified..That paint will only hurt children. Don't eat it and where a mask you should be fine. Prime the varnished wood first and you can paint with any paint you want.

 

[Macloney]

"The BEHR Urethane Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel provides the performance and durability of a traditional oil-based paint with the ease of use and convenience of a water-based paint. This professional quality finish offers excellent flow and leveling with easy water clean-up."

I used this stuff on a bathroom vanity and it's amazing. Look of oil, clean-up of latex. Expensive, but worth it.

 

[EvilBetty]

I'm lead certified..That paint will only hurt children. Don't eat it and where a mask you should be fine. Prime the varnished wood first and you can paint with any paint you want.

Well i dont have kids and dont prefer the flavor of lead paint chips, so we should be good.

What does it mean to be lead certified exactly? You are certified for lead contamination clean up?

 

[CYEATHAWK]

I'm lead certified..That paint will only hurt children. Don't eat it and where a mask you should be fine. Prime the varnished wood first and you can paint with any paint you want.

Certified as well and this post is spot on. No need to get paranoid about the stuff. Use a little common sense and everything will be fine. It's not the worst stuff on the planet.

 

[singsing]

Well i dont have kids and dont prefer the flavor of lead paint chips, so we should be good.

What does it mean to be lead certified exactly? You are certified for lead contamination clean up?

Yes..Main concern with lead paint is children and the disposal of it. A lot of other construction waste has lead in it also. Glazing on old tile has more lead than paint.

 

[mkadl]

Trying to bring my 1930 windows back to life. Paint is pealing so I am stripping them. Here is my problem:
I am sanding them in place (not taking them apart/out of frame). I have stripped and sanded the windows but it appears they were originally varnished, and then oil painted. As the glass is still in place I won't be able to sand these down completely to raw wood. There will also always be trace amounts of the original oil paint stuck in the corners of the window lites and in any depressions in the wood. And there will always be residual varnish that soaked into the wood from long ago.

does this mean that my only option to repaint is to use and oil based primer with oil based paints? I really don't want to use oil based enamel or anything like that. It is just such a pain in the ass using solvents, plus enamels typically yellow over time and they are very crack prone as they don't have a lot of elasticity.

is there some sort of miracle primer out there that will go over the wood that has residual unknown varnish that can then be painted with a latex paint?

WOW !! You are a monster going after a job like you described! Go EvilBetty!!! I have been after our 1957 house for 30 years. Cant imagine what you are doing.

 

[Yaz]

Trying to bring my 1930 windows back to life. Paint is pealing so I am stripping them. Here is my problem:
I am sanding them in place (not taking them apart/out of frame). I have stripped and sanded the windows but it appears they were originally varnished, and then oil painted. As the glass is still in place I won't be able to sand these down completely to raw wood. There will also always be trace amounts of the original oil paint stuck in the corners of the window lites and in any depressions in the wood. And there will always be residual varnish that soaked into the wood from long ago.

does this mean that my only option to repaint is to use and oil based primer with oil based paints? I really don't want to use oil based enamel or anything like that. It is just such a pain in the ass using solvents, plus enamels typically yellow over time and they are very crack prone as they don't have a lot of elasticity.

is there some sort of miracle primer out there that will go over the wood that has residual unknown varnish that can then be painted with a latex paint?

Go to Woodsmith if your in the Des moines area or Sherwin Williams. Great question to ask them. That's quite the project. Also, may shut your fan off and cover the vents when sanding/working a room. Keep the door closed and let any dust settle.