Removing diamond leading on windows ???

VixxAnn

would love to remove the diamond strip leading that the previous owner decided to put on all the front facing windows of our house :eek:

however, we have been warned that it often "eats" into the glass so if you can manage to remove it - there will be marks etched into the glass where it has been.

Can anyone advise if this is true - is there anyway we can remove or do we need new glass?

lulabell

I saw a suggestion on a tv prog on the BBC a few weeks ago, so I don't know if it works - but the idea was after taking off the leading, the residue should come off if you wiped with nail varnish remover

Rex_Mundi

Modern lead is only stuck on using a double sided tape. Peel the lead off from the edge and you will leave the glue in place. Soak this with methylated spirits, then use a brand new stanley blade (out of the knife) flat on the glass to scrape off the glue. When you have cleaned off the majority of the lead/glue. You can use very fine wire wool with meths over the whole window. This should clean off anything left over from your first clean.

If the lead has been on for years. There is a small chance of still seeing where the lead was after you have cleaned the whole window. Best to do a small out of the way window first to see how they will clean up.

Of course. You can only clean off the lead off single glazed windows. If they are double glazed units, there is no way of getting to the inside lead without needing the whole unit made again. In this case your only choice would be new glass.

Mr_Warren_2

Why do people try to re-create "period" housing in their sub-urban semis, I will never understand. Good on you VixxAnn to take this monstruosity off.

Both good ideas offered here. For safety aspect I would however suggest one of these "paint scrapers". It is a small very inexpensive plastic handle where the stanley knife blade sits in securely. I have used one for years to remove paints when I do my windows and they work a treat.

dougk_2

You can also buy sprays such as "label off" that "eat" the glue part of the double sided tape.

If you peel the lead strips off and spray the residue you will find it will wipe awaya after a few minutes.

Rex_Mundi

I would be very dubious of any claims that you could just wipe the glue off the windows. I've stripped lead off windows many hundreds of times in the past. Believe me, the glue on the tape sets very well. Especially if the lead has been on for a few years. Meths will soften the glue, but you will need a blade to remove it from the window. Leave the meths on for a few minutes to soften the glue. Make sure you have a cloth handy to keep the blade clean. Even after the meths, the tape is sticky as anything and will stick to the blade and your fingers.

Stripping lead off old windows takes me back a bit. I've been in the glass trade for well over 20 years now, and we used to save all the old and scrap lead for our beer at christmas.

dougk_2

"Label off" is not designed specifically for removing the glue from lead strips - just glue in particular (often used in electrcial circles to remove labels etc - including those warranty ones that dont peel off!). I have used it many a time and some times several applications are needed, but in general I agree with Rex_Mundi , ignore the claims of most products!

VixxAnn

thanks for all the tips so far, I will probably get all the gear together that I need and have a go on the most inconspicous (sp?) window at the weekend.

For your info I reckon the lead has been on about 6/7 years.