Doors and Windows - Replacing old, old putty (20+years old) with new putty

Have windows that are at least 20 years old with the original putty. This original putty has cracked and become loose in some places. Also, the putty is not sealing against water entering from outside to inside of the window frame.

My problem is this:
The window panes are all in tact, I only want to remove the old puty and replace it with new putty.

I have removed the putty from around the ouside of the window. Am unable to remove the glass so that I can then remove the old putty that is between the glass and the window frame.

Can anybody out there help? Are there any mechanical or chemical ways of doing so?

Many thanks

There are probably glazier points (little triangular pieces of metal) that are holding the panes (from the outside side)in place against the putty. Look for them and pry them out with a flathead screwdriver or something. The panes should come right out, after the points are removed. You will need to install new ones after you scrape out and replace the old putty on the inside. The points are just pushed down into the wood of the window frame snuggly against the glass (all four sides)with a putty knife or screwdriver. Good Luck!

Old Guy gave you the right procedure but forgot one important thing.....you'll probably break many of the glasses. Be happy with just removing what exterior putty you can and reglaze the outside only. If the inside has a gap, use some latex caulk with a fine tip.

I read in an old repair book that acetone would help disolve putty. Try a squirt bottle & elbow grease. I think the answer to putty over the old stuff is good, too.

Good luck, Andrew641


[This message has been edited by andrew641 (edited September 08, 2000).]

ALL WELL INTENTIONED ADVICE-HOWEVER,I THINK WHAT YOU MAY NEED IS THE ANSWER TO A MORE BASIC QUESTION,I.E. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PUTTY IN A GLAZING SYSTEM?
PUTTY IS NOT INTENDED TO SEAL THE JOINT BETWEEN GLASS AND WOOD OR METAL.IT'S PURPOSE ON THE INSIDE IS TO PROVIDE A "BED" FOR THE GLASS THAT EXACTLY MATES THE TWO DIFFERENT PLANES, THEREBY ELIMINATING STRESS WHICH CAN EASILY CRACK GLASS(MORE LIKELY ON ANTIQUE UNANNEALED GLASS).
ON THE OUTSIDE IT JUST COVERS THE VULNERABLE EDGE, AND PROVIDES AN ANGLED WATER- SHEDING PROFILE WHICH MUST BE PAINTED.ITS THE PAINT THAT DOES THE SEALING AND MUST EXTEND SLIGHTLY ONTO THE GLASS.FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PAINT INVARIABLY CAUSES THE GLAZING TO FAIL.
SO, BEARING THIS IN MIND,YOU CAN REPLACE ANY OR ALL OF THE FAILED PUTTY WITH ANY MATERIAL THAT IS COSMETICALLY PLEASING(PUTTY,CAULK,WOOD,PLASTIC,METAL)AND THEN PAINT IT TO MATCH.