Painting Instructions and Maintenance
Note: Double Hung Painting Restrictions
Do not paint the weatherstrip, hardware, or vinyl balances. Do not paint sash edges
that ride in the vinyl balances.
Preparation
It is important to properly prepare your new wood window sash(es) or door(s) prior to any
priming or painting. Take care to review the following guidelines before picking up a brush.

Inspection - Please inspect each sash and test operability of the window prior to prep,
priming and painting, including inspecting for scratched lites. If any operability issues
or scratched lites are discovered on any window from Lummus Supply Co, Please notify
us prior to proceeding with the remainder of these instructions.
Please Note: Be careful when using tools around your windows or doors. Glass scratches
easily. We strongly advise against the use of sharp tools anywhere near the lite of a sash or
door.

Cleaning - The window or door should be clean and free of lint and dust, and the glass
should be cleaned with a quality glass cleaner.

Filling Holes・- Prior to the first coat of primer, clear-coat or stain-bearing finish, all
nail holes and naturally occurring openings in the grain of the wood should be filled
with wood putty and sanded smooth with 220 grit or finer sandpaper.

General Painting Information
It is absolutely necessary for all wooden windows to be painted. Untreated wood can be
quickly damaged when exposed to rain, heat, humidity, etc. The results of exposure can
be expansion (causing stuck windows), leaking, increased susceptibility to wood rot, etc.

Painting should occur as soon as possible after windows/doors arrive at the jobsite and
definitely before any weathering occurs.
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
Color - Very dark colors, particularly dark green and black, cause excessive heating and
cooling cycles which structurally compromise the window or door. Finish painting
windows or doors in colors more than an 18% reflective value (middle gray).

Coverage ・In general, all exposed wood surfaces should be painted in some fashion
except for the surfaces subject to friction. Therefore, the surfaces to be painted differ
based on the type of window. Take care to always paint both the top and bottom. (See
painting section for more notes on coverage.)
Casement Windows ・Though casement windows often do open, no surfaces are
generally subject to excessive friction so all six sides of a casement sash should be
painted.
Double Hung Windows ・Paint both the front and back, as well as the top and bottom
of double hung sashes but do not paint the sides nor the jamb tracks in which they slide
(a potential friction contact area).
Doors ・Doors, like casement sashes, should be painted on all six sides.
Hardware- Paint or primer should NOT be applied to the moving parts of the window
(hinges, latches, springs) or weather-stripping.
Painting Specifics

Primer
Primer - Primer must be applied to any windows/doors that will be painted. A quality oil
based primer will help seal the wood as well as providing a proper surface for the
application of finish paint. Primer alone is NOT a suitable barrier against exterior exposure
but is a necessary component in preventing the encroachment of moisture. An additional
coat of primer (Zinsser or other quality brand) can be applied before painting.
Both interior and exterior surfaces MUST be primed and finished unless the interior will be
stained. If a second coat of primer is applied allow the primer to dry completely before the
next application. Light sanding with 220 or finer grit sandpaper is required between coats.
On all exterior surfaces the primer should just touch the surface of the glass (“kiss the
glass”).

Finish Paint
Finish Paint - All primed surfaces must be covered with a finish paint (Benjamin Moore, or
other quality brand). Interior surface may be painted with either water or oil-based paints.
Water-based paints are easiest to work with but you should consider oil-based paints for
higher moisture environments like bathrooms with showers. Exterior surfaces may be
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painted with oil or water-based paints, but ensure they are specifically designed for exterior
use.
A minimum of 2 (two) coats of paint on the exterior and 1 (one) coat on interior are
required, allowing each coat to cure before application of the next. Finish coats should be
lightly sanded between applications with 220, or finer, grit sandpaper. Paint on the exterior
should kiss the glass by 1/16th of an inch, the width of a pencil lead. The best application
method is with a quality standard or foam brush. We recommend against using masking
tape on the lites as the moisture barrier created by kissing the glass with the paint may be
broken when the tape is removed. DO NOT force drying or curing of paint with application
of excessive heat.

Staining
Stains are applied to the bare wood after filling any nail holes or minor surface
irregularities. Exterior ・We do not recommend clear-coat or stain on exterior surfaces.
Interior - two coats are recommended on interior surfaces with sanding between coats
using 220 grit, or finer, sandpaper.
Double Hung Windows Maintenance and Care
Maintenance
Proper finishing and ongoing maintenance of the finish of a wooden window or door are the
most important steps you can take to protect your investment. Direct sunlight or exposure to
moisture will deteriorate the finish over time. Quickly address any problems you may discover,
otherwise damage to the wood may result. Some specific actions to take are:

Inspect the integrity of the finish of each window and door at least every other year,
particularly for south or west exposure windows.

Windows or doors without sufficient overhang protection from the elements require
inspection once a year.

Confirm that paint coverage is free of cracks, bare spots or other damage.

To help keep double hung windows moving smoothly, rub the window tracks with
paraffin wax every few years.
Tilting Sash for Cleaning
1. Raise the bottom sash 6 to 8 inches. Grasp the top of the sash and pull it towards
you. With your other hand, depress the side balance until the sash jumps over the
track of the vinyl balance. Holding the window out of the track, depress the vinyl
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balance on the opposite side in the same manner. Keep window sash as level as
possible across the opening while tilting to the interior.
2. To tilt the upper window sash, lower top sash to the mid-point of the window and
tilt in same manner as bottom sash.
Cleaning
We recommend that you clean the exterior glass surfaces before you clean the interior
surfaces. Usually it is easier if you start by cleaning the upper sash. For convenience, use a
chair or stool to support the sash in the tilted position while you wash the exterior glass
surfaces.
Removing and Replacing Sash
1. Tilt the sash as described above to a 90 deg. Angle from vertical ( parallel to the
floor).
2. Slide one corner of the bottom rail up toward the center of the window opening, and
then angle the sash until you feel the pin release from the clutch mechanism.
Caution: springs in the vinyl balance may pop up and break if the sash is removed
too near the windowsill.
3. To replace, hold the sash at an angle, insert one of the pivot pins into the clutch
mechanism, and then level the sash while inserting the second pin.
Double Hung Lubrication
Always clean all surfaces before applying lubricant. Once cleaned, lubricate the vinyl
balances with a simonized paste or with paraffin. Spray the sash edges with a silicone spray
to maintain sliding ease.
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