Every time i passed a house down the road that has diamond patterned leaded windows i felt envious and thought how expensive it must be to have them fitted. One day the lady of the house was in the front garden,and after a few words of idle chit chat i told her how much i have always admired her windows.She gave me a wide smile andnsaid "they are not real you know" She then explained about Decra Ledself adhesive lead strip on a roll. It's guaranteed to be a minimum 99% lead.
Of course i had to get some,even though it's not something that i am capable of doing. But i know a man who can! Enter Big Joe the local Mr Fix it. Having watched him transform my plain glass windows into elegant Leaded Windows in just one day,i just had to tell you how simple and clean it is to do.
The first step is probably the most important. Thoroughly clean the glass surface using Mr Muscle or other window cleaner You must get rid of all the dirt from the outside of your windows. This will ensure that the lead strip will stick well.
You are provided with a template that lets you choose if you want a Diamond pattern or Rectangles,that allows tou to superimpose any design you want,including curves. I chose to have the Diamond pattern.
Now you tape the template up onto the inside of the window, then you go outside and remove a sufficient length of Decra Led and carefully smooth betwee nfinger and thumb before detaching the backing paper being careful not to stretch the leading. Then you place one end at the starting point and press firmly onto the glass. Guide the lead into place along the desired line applying finger pressure to the end where the lead is cut.
A plastic tool is provided,this is called a Boner, You run this along both outer edges of the strip in a firm smooth action (crimping the lead to the glass)
All lead when exposed to the atmosphere is subject to an oxidation (weathering process)and will form a naturally protective coating. This is a series of chemical reactions which can produce various colours including blue,bronze and even green. These are temporary and the lead will eventually weather to an even appearance.
After the first two or three days you will notice a resin that you will need to wipe off,dont leave it any longer or you will find it a devil to shift. This helps the leading become an evenly grey colour.
There was about half a reel left over and it looked so easy i was itching to have a go myself,so i picked on a glass fronted bookcase that could do with a new look. I chose squares for this,and in under ten minutes it was finished!
YES! I DID IT!no cock ups no mess! For someone who can't cut bread straight,i am well pleased. For want of a better phrase if i can do it anyone can!
A WORD OF CAUTION Keep away from children Hands should be washed after using lead Do not smoke when handling lead
I bought three reels, so it cost me £74.85 for this project, I even had the front door done with it.
with some left over to play with. I bought this product from Leeks
one 50 metre reel for Diamond or Square pattern cost £24.95 This is sufficient to lead 5 windows ,one metre x half metre I notice that argus have a similar product one reel 25m x 9 mm wide costs £ 5.99
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