I can't open old painted shut windows...need to clean storm windows!

Hi there, get yourself a good utility knife and lots of blades for it and then carefully go around where the seem is.

I've come across this before, and I used a putty knife along with a heavy duty sharp bladed razor knife to cut through all the old paint and free up the window. BE CAREFUL!! It can be done though...good luck and take your time!

Yes, use a chisel and carefully place it over paint between frame and window stop. tap gently with a hammer and see if that breaks the paint in that one area, if so continue around window always being careful. When you can raise and lower window scrape off as much loose paint as you can. The storm window may also be stuck but that you can address in the spring.

Just came back to say that the back of the house window would probably need cleaning too.

Hello. I have also had this happen. I used a razor blade to cut through the dried paint. It didn't chip or wreck any of the paint on the window.

It will take patience but it can be done using a putty knife. In the paint-sealed areas slide the putty knife carefully into the seam and break the seal. Sometimes the window will need "unsealed" too, using the same putty method. Be gentle or you'll damage the wood.

Take a putty knife and a hammer and tap the area where the window is sealed shut, it will require patience and maybe doing twice to free it up.

Hello, hope this helps you out.

1. Slide a putty knife between the stop bead and window sash to cut through the paint seal.
2. Use putty knife to open the joint between the bottom sash and stool (windowsill).
3. Slide putty knife along the meeting rail where the top and bottom sash meet.
4. Try lifting the sash; if it’s still stuck, move on to the next step.
5. Force a putty knife behind window stop; if necessary, use two or more knives.
6. Carefully pry the stop from the side jamb using a small flat pry bar.
7. Use a hammer to pull any nails from the jambs.
8. With one stop removed, try lifting the sash.
9. If the sash doesn’t budge, remove the opposite window stop.
10. With both stops removed, gently wiggle the sash free of the window frame.
11. Cut the sash cords and remove the sash.
12. Scrape the sash of all loose paint, then sand it smooth.
13. Prime and repaint the sash.
14. Install new sash cords and replace the sash and window stops.

Windows get stuck shut when fresh paint dries between the movable sash and the frame around it. These windows are relatively easy to open by breaking the paint seal with a putty knife. If you aren't able to leverage the window open, pry the side stops off the window frame.

You can use a knife 🔪

Use a utility knife to break the seal of the paint.