Is paint on 100+ yr old English stained glass window frames harmful?

Concern - is lead in paint harmful if windows are mounted high and not touchable?
Is Critistrip a good way to remove this old paint from the wood frame?
Does removing old paint harm the wood window frame?

  4 answers
  • Carol Katz-Mouser Carol Katz-Mouser on Apr 12, 2017

    Would not worry about the paint, unless it is peeling. Only harmful if you eat it. But there is lead between the glass, if it has white on it, don't touch it, use gloves and wire brush, (wear a mask) to clean it. That white ash is the lead breaking down. Then glass cleaner.

    • Diane Diane on Apr 25, 2017

      Also be sure you are in a WELL-VENTALATED area. FYI: To spray paint the frame (or any project) put it in ANN open cardboard box for two reasons: 1/ keeps the paint from spreading where you are spraying and 2/ if you are in your farage, you won't have unwan particles on your projects.

  • Susan Crosthwaite-Wright Susan Crosthwaite-Wright on Apr 19, 2017

    The old paint probably contains lead and is held in place with lead strips. If it's in good condition and undamaged I wouldn't worry about it, but clean it gently.


  • C.B. C.B. on May 06, 2017

    Good advice here! Yes lead is harmful, modern day paints don't contain [or aren't supposed to] lead. If you decide to remove the old paint, be very careful & wear a face mask while working with the paint. Removing the old paint will not harm the window frame [wood], but you may want to either stain the wood for a newer look or re-paint it. Your local paint store/hardware store [paint department] can help you with products used to remove the leaded paint.

  • Caseyem11 Caseyem11 on May 12, 2017

    I would just clean it. Stripping the paint is problematic as many have noted and the window frame could become unglued. At 100 years old the wood is very dry and the joints could be very fragile. As the old adage goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.