The Right Adhesive Is Good Frame-Up
Question: During the last earthquake, two mirrors fell from my wall. Neither mirror broke, but the wood frames around them did. Both are old and irregularly shaped (curved on the sides and top), so it isn’t a matter of just buying a new frame to fit. Besides, I like the old frames and would like to glue them back together and still use them.
Now they aren’t splintered. They just broke apart (rather smoothly) in two places. Will you please give me some guidance on the kind of glue I might use to put them back together. Someone suggested that I buy a glue gun that heats the glue. What do you suggest?
Answer: Mirrors are generally heavier than pictures, so you want a good adhesive. And while glue guns work well for certain small jobs, I believe you’ll get better holding power from a yellow glue recommended for wood-to-wood joints. These fat-derived formulas are easy to use and work well on porous material, such as wood, and dry almost clear.
One such product is Wilhold woodworking aliphatic resin. You can find the industrial grade in nearly all home centers or hardware stores. Apply thin coat to dry, clean surfaces that fit snugly. Be sure to remove any excess with a damp cloth before it has time to dry.
Generally a joint should be clamped together for drying. If you don’t have a means for clamping the joint, tie it with a sturdy belt or belts that can be fastened together and drawn tight--or even old nylon stockings would work if you tie them together and pull the joint together.
The tension on this should be firm, but don’t squeeze all the glue out by pulling it too tightly. And don’t be in too big a hurry to remove the binding. Let the patched joint set overnight in a room heated to 72 degrees or above.
Q: Windows in our old house are about the most interesting thing about it, but, unfortunately, age and weather have just about done them in. I’ve caulked and patched through the years, but they’re really in need of major overhaul. I can’t easily replace them with metal windows, because they’re odd size. Also, I’d like to find someone to make windows that are at least similar to the original ones. Do you have any ideas?
A: Warren P. Joyce Co., 1835 Whittier Ave., D-13, Costa Mesa 92627, has recently begun specializing in wood replacement windows, and, owner Joyce says, it’s a rather unusual field that is attracting quite a lot of attention.
At the present time, it is necessary to remove your windows and take them to the shop, where most windows can be duplicated in three to five days. But if you can do a bit more patching and caulking, Joyce says within a month he expects to have personnel trained to go to residences and take the measurements without window removal by the homeowner.
You didn’t ask about cost, but a double-hung window, including the rope and pulley balance system, starts at about $150.
