Rejuvenating Window frame

[andrewjd]

Hi all diyers and experts, 

I need some help regarding re painting or re staining my window frames in my kitchen/dining area. However, I just don't know whether originally they used a paint or stain. It looks like the majority of the frame is stain but the horizontal base has been touched up with paint. However, even the part that looks like paint seems to have wood grain lines (2) on them so I am not sure what to make out of it. I attach the photos if anyone can help. I am quite hopeless on wood stuff. I have bought some sand paper 120 grit and 240 grit to sand off, but the part which looks like paint can't be sand off. Is it even paint or is it part of the wood.

I need advice on what might be the best way to rejuvenate the window. I am also thinking whether I should just touch up or I should repaint the whole window. 

(1)  Original - is this painted or wood stain?

(2) I sand papered it. The left side shows the wood grain, but the right side looks like paint. Is it? or is it veneer? I can't get it off.

(3) Just showing the vertical frame which is quite reasonable original condition

(4) I had sandpapered the bottom and stained the left side. A lot of black patches.

(5) Another part to show the vertical portion. Question is how do I match the stain to this colour if I don't want to restain the whole window

(6) This is another window frame which has the paint / stain peeling off. But stain can't peel off, as I understand. How do I then remove the paint so that I can stain it.

(7) & (8) a vertical frame - is this stain? just showing the bare wood?

(9) Another frame - again this looks like a layer or paint but why are grains showing? is it stain or is it veneer/laminate?

Thanks for any insights.

Andrew

[JacobZ]

Hi @andrewjd,

I am relatively confident that there are no veneers here and that the main product used was a stain and varnish product, not a paint. The variation in look appears to be because some sections were touched up at different times, and different levels of sanding were carried out, but it all seems to be the same product or at least very similar products.

Unfortunately, without knowing the specific stain and varnish product that was used, it would be very difficult to get a close match in terms of colour, which makes me think the best approach is to sand it all back and start fresh with your choice of stain and varnish.

In photo 2, you can see there is a clear coating over the top of the colour. I'm about 99% certain this is varnish. Getting through varnish with sandpaper alone can be tricky, but not impossible; it just takes time. You can, however, speed things up by using a chemical stripper such as this Bondall Waterbased Paint & Varnish Stripper, alongside a paint scraper. If you choose to do this, it is important that you wear chemical-resistant gloves, a mask, protective clothing, and you allow as much ventilation as possible, as the fumes can be quite strong.

After using the stripper, you can do your initial sanding with the 120 grit, then follow up with your 240 grit to get things nice and smooth.

You can then recoat the windows with your choice of finish, a stain and varnish would be my choice. Whatever you choose to use, make sure you mask off the windows with some painter's tape to ensure you do not apply your product to them.

It is also important that you are extremely careful while working around glass, as there is always a risk of the glass shattering, so ensure you wear protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection, long protective clothing and enclosed shoes.

Please let me know what you think and if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[andrewjd]

Hi Jacob,

Thanks for the detailed and informative reply. I think I sort of know what to do now. 

Regarding photo 2, the bare wood is what I sand down, the right side was tuff sanding down. The dark brown portion is raised like a layer of thin sheet. Is that the stain and varnish? I thought stain would not form a layer like paint.

Regards,

Andrew

[JacobZ]

Hi Andrew (@andrewjd),

Veneers are usually used when you are covering a base material, such as chipboard, which would not be used on a window frame because it is incredibly susceptible to moisture damage and window frames are often exposed to water.

You can see there is a clear coating that extends up along a line at the point where you've stopped sanding.

This clear coating is varnish. There was likely none, or very little, on the left, which is why it was easy to sand, and you've had more trouble sanding the right side. This is why I recommended using the varnish stripper, as it will soften the varnish so it can be scraped off.

You can sand off varnish, but it is going to be tougher. If you wanted to, I'd suggest you use 80-grit sandpaper and consider using a powered sander such as this Ozito 230W Random Orbital Sander.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob