The Ultimate Glazing Putty

For years I’ve been on the search for the ultimate window glazing putty. I’ve tested dozens of different putties trying to find the right one for the right application. I’ve written about some of those tests in my previous post Which Glazing Putty is Right For You? I’ve tinkered with making my own putty just like the old timers did back in the golden age of windows, and had mixed results in my testing though I still had a lot of fun.

I finally decided, “Why try to reinvent the wheel?” So, I partnered with the premiere putty manufacturer in America, the venerable Sarco Putty Co. to formulate a putty that better met the needs I was facing in the field. Sarco has been making phenomenal glazing putty since 1943. Their putties have been standards in my shop for years, but I knew we could put our heads together and create something even better!

The Challenges

There were several needs I had when it came to creating the ultimate glazing putty. First, I needed a glazing putty that was easy to work with a putty knife and allowed me to get the clean crisp glazing lines my clients expected. No problems there since Sarco has created putties with excellent workability for decades.

Second, I needed a putty that was quick skinning and versatile. I didn’t want to use one putty when glazing in the shop and a different putty for the field or one putty for steel windows and another for wood. This was a challenge because fast-skinning putties have certain requirements when used in the field to keep them protected, so I needed to think through solutions to that problem.

Finally, and this was the big one, I needed a putty that was mildew resistant. Restoring windows in Florida, mildew is a part of life, but I refused to let it affect my glazing putty anymore. I experimented with all kinds of formulations to find the combination that works best for fighting mildew and the results were amazing. Much thanks to all my clients who allowed me to make their homes my testing ground for the last few years!

The Solution

Years of field and shop testing later, I am beyond proud to introduce to you Austin’s Glazier’s Putty! A fast-skinning putty (3-7 days) that can be used both in the field and in the shop AND is mildew resistant! How’s that for innovation?

Application

It may be applied to both wood and steel sash in the shop or in the field (field application has some specific requirements). You can use it to bed glass and finish glaze and finishes best with a glazing knife. In the shop, the putty should develop a skin in about 5-7 days that is significant enough for painting during normal temps between 55°F and 95°F. Using fans on the face of the putty facilitates the skinning process.

In the field, the putty skins faster (3-5 days) and must be painted immediately after skinning. This gives you the benefit of being able to paint sooner, but does not leave you the option to glaze it and forget it for weeks on end. Let me stress that again, Austin’s Glazier’s Putty must be painted in the field as soon as it has developed a significant skin.

Painting

For best performance, we recommend priming wood and steel sash prior to installing Austin’s Glazier’s Putty. You also have the option to shellac the rabbets on wood sash if you don’t want to prime, but sealing the rabbets prior to install is imperative. While you may prime with a latex primer after the putty has developed its skin using an oil-based primer may result in the putty skin re-emulsifying and so it is not recommended. Finish coat with two top coats of high quality acrylic or oil paint.

For extremely mildew prone areas, we also recommend adding a mildewcide to your exterior paint for additional protection. This simple step is very inexpensive and provides extra insurance that your glazing job will stand the test of time. And just like all glazing putties lapping the paint onto the glass by hand and not cutting the paint lines is required for the best performance.

The Ultimate Glazing Putty

Finally, it’s here and you can order Austin’s Glazier’s Putty in my store today! Austin’s Glazier’s Putty is available exclusively at The Craftsman Blog along with all the other goodies you need to restore your old house.

I’m confident you’ll find this putty an invaluable tool in your window restoration arsenal just like I have over the last few years while we tested and retested it to make sure we got it right. And you can trust that with Sarco Putty and The Craftsman Blog teaming up it will be a quality product that stands the test of time. I don’t put my name on anything that isn’t the highest quality and that’s exactly why I’ve waited years for this offering. Enjoy Puttyheads!