Doing A Window Pane Glass Replacement Job On Your Own

If you had an incident occur where you ended up with a pane of glass with a crack through the middle, you will want to work swiftly in having it repaired so no one accidentally becomes injured. Large glass panes will need to be repaired or replaced by a glass service as the glass is bulky and you risk breaking it if it is dropped. Fixing a smaller pane of glass can be done on your own if you have the proper tools and a bit of knowledge. Here are some instructions you can use to make a glass repair on your own.

Materials You Will Need

• Hand and eye protection
• Tarp
• Masking tape
• Hammer
• Needle-nose pliers
• Mild detergent
• Microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge
• Glass putty
• Utility knife

Remove The Broken Pieces

First, put on goggles and heavy-duty gloves so your eyes and hands will not become scratched while working with glass. Place a tarp on the ground to help catch any broken pieces as they drop from the frame. Use masking tape to construct a letter "X" across the pane of glass with the crack. This will help contain the glass shards in one area as they become loosened from the frame.

Use the wooden end of a hammer to gently tap the glass. This will cause the glass to shatter. Most of the glass pieces will be attached to the tape, making cleanup easier. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove any slivers of glass embedded in the frame.

Clean The Window Frame

Once the glass has been removed, you will want to clean the window frame to prepare it for the insertion of a new pane of glass. Use a piece of microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive sponge dipped in a mild detergent to scrub the interior portion of the window frame. When this appears free of all debris, allow to dry before placing your new pane in place.

Install The New Glass

Purchase a new pane of glass from a glass repair shop. They will be able to cut a piece into a custom size if necessary. To put the glass in the open frame, have a friend stand on the opposite side to help you keep the new piece in place as you work with the putty to adhere it to the frame.

Roll a piece of glass putty into a cylindrical shape and press it against one edge of the glass. The putty will be centered horizontally over the edge of the glass and the edge of the frame. Push into place. Do this with all four sides and then repeat on the other side of the window. When the putty hardens, any excess can be removed with a utility knife.

To learn more, contact a company like Action Glass.