Electric sander, sanding disks, spatula, chisel, chemical paint-remover, hot air gun, pieces of glass, steel wool, pliers, hammer, screwdriver, brush and varnish.

 

Work in a comfortable position
� Take down the window if possible, removing it from its hinges. If the window is old you may need to unscrew the strap hinges.
� Place the window on a portable work bench or a table. It is important to work from a comfortable position.
� If need be, place it on the floor after laying down cardboard or plastic so as not to damage it.

 

� A wooden-framed window that is well-cared-for will last many years and remain in good condition. But this depends to a great extent on the quality of the materials and how the window is put together.
� If the window is covered with old paint you have several options. One is to strip it with liquid paint remover. Wet the wood thoroughly, then scrape it with a spatula and watch the old paint come off.
� Another is to remove it with a hot air gun. Some are quite cheap, and it is worthwhile to buy one if you are going to do a lot of restoration work.
� Heat up the wood until you see the paint start to come off. Scrape it off with a spatula.
� Or you can remove the paint with a circular sander. This is especially good on flat surfaces. If there are several coats of paint you will have to repeat the job several times.
� Old varnish is easier to remove. It may already be chipping away. Test this with a sander. If it is very resistant, use paint stripper or a hot air gun.

 

� As varnish is clear, it is very important to prepare the surface carefully beforehand. Be especially careful with corners and moldings because they are the hardest to work on.
� If there is a piece of varnish that won't give way, go over with it a chisel or the edge of a piece of glass. Do strokes in one direction. Wear gloves.
� Now run over the surface with the sander and a fine-grade disk. Do it by hand in spots where the machine won't reach. Use a short rod for curved areas and a block of wood for straight ones.
� Now is the time to make whatever minor repairs the wood may need, such as small holes or scratches that can be filled with wood putty of the same tone. Apply it with a spatula and when it dries, sand it down.

 

� Now apply the new coats of varnish. A wooden-framed window that has been painted previously can be varnished with no problem. If you have removed all the paint, you will see how good the wood's own color looks.
� Spread varnish all over the wood with a small brush. Cover the surface evenly, stroking in all directions.
� Make sure each new coat blends with the previous one. Finally, spread the varnish with small strokes in the direction of the grain of the wood.
� When it has dried, depending on the room temperature and the instructions from the manufacturer, sand it down and give it another coat of varnish. Do another fine-grade sanding and when dry, apply the last layer.

 

� Use a good-quality brush to avoid bristles coming off and getting stuck in the varnish.
� If you are not terribly gifted with your hands, it's best to cover the window pane with tape.
� A common varnish for interior windows is made from polyurethane. Decide if you want it shiny or matt.
� For outdoor windows you should keep in mind the location and the climate. Rain and sun are hard on wood and varnish. Use a highly-resistant one, of the kind used on boats or designed to withstand bright sun.