Wipe the bare wood with a brush and denatured alcohol to remove dust, oil, and old paint residue. —new putty will not stick to dirty or oily wood.
Remove any glazing points you find (those tiny metal triangles) with needle-nose pliers. You’ll replace them later. This step separates pros from amateurs. window putty repair
Once your putty is fully cured (check the manufacturer’s time), prime and paint the entire sash, overlapping the putty by about 1/16” onto the glass. That tiny lip of paint locks out moisture for decades. Wipe the bare wood with a brush and
—it will shrink, crack, and ooze out. Patience pays off. When to Call a Pro (And When to DIY) DIY if: You have basic hand tools, one afternoon, and the wood frame is solid. prime and paint the entire sash
