Arlene Wright-Correll

How to Polish and Clean Stained Glass©



Posted: Sunday, February 12, 2012

by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com



This week’s email questions asks, “I have a small stained glass panel I received as a gift about 10 years ago and I need to clean it.  Do you have any suggestions?”

Yes,  the first and foremost important thing is NOT to clean it with a commercial glass cleaner such as the kind you use to spray and clean your windows as it will have an affect on the copper foil or lead came whichever was used to create your panel.  The best thing to use is warm soapy water using a mild liquid detergent and a soft rag.  Then rinse off and dry carefully.  However, we recommend you use the same process we teach our students and you can either come in and buy some finishing compound and polish or bring the piece in and we will clean it for you.

When we create stained glass panels, lamps or anything at Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center we teach our students how to clean their projects when they arrive at that stage in order to remove any residue from the soldered seams and to develop the deep and beautiful luster stained glass creations should have.  Here the student must have a good finishing compound and polish as the finishing compound will remove any tarnish and residue left from the soldering.  The polish is used to compliment the finishing compound as it provides a protective film and a shine on their finished project.

The first thing the student does is to learn to pour the finishing compound on their stained glass project using enough finishing compound to lightly cover all the glass, the soldered seams and the frame.  Next they use a clean, soft cloth to spread the finishing compound all over their stained glass project and then leave it to dry.  Once it dries it will turn into a white film and the student then uses a soft brush or cloth and proceeds to buff off the entire compound.  When that is completed the student carefully turns over the piece and repeats the process on the other side.

The second thing the student does is to apply a small amount of polish to all the solder seams and frame allowing the polish to dry and then he or she buffs it with a clean soft cloth to create a brilliant luster.  Again when one side is completed they turn their piece over and repeat the polishing process on the backside of their piece.

Should there be any white crusty areas on stained glass use some baking soda and water to remove the white crust, rinse the area, dry it and re-apply the finishing compound as in the above process.

It is important to clean your stained glass panel at least once a year depending on the location of it.  Again I repeat DO NOT use any commercial window cleaners as they may damage the stained glass panel.

 May the Creative Force be with you...



Arlene Wright-Correll

Come for a free tour and demonstration at Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center during business hours. Questions?  Just email me at askarlene@scrtc.com

About the Author & Artist. Arlene Wright-Correll (1935- ___), popular American award winning Artist, published author, columnist, & is the resident art instructor for Avalon Stained Glass School, at the age of 68, decided to pick up her paint brushes again after 54 years and paint.  She is a cancer and stroke survivor who is able to strive forward each and everyday to welcome the beauty of this small planet.  She also is a China & Porcelain painter, Sandblasting & Etching, Stained Glass & fused glass Artisan. She is one of the six KY Artists who worked 6 months to create the dolls for Journey Jots in 2006 and a Smithsonian Institute art exhibit in 2008. Her published books can be found here . She is also a featured writer for GreenThumbArticles.com and teaches Art Vacation Holidays at Avalon Stained Glass School and Creativity Center.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by The Old Gray Mare
 85 days 6 hours ago.
52 fans. Follow The Old Gray Mare on twitter!
Excellent procedures to clean stained glass. I use lots of baking soda at times to freshen and clean the panels. The warm sudsy water is the best thing for normal cleanup just as long as it is rinsed well. So good to hear you're into stained glass like me.
» left by Arlene Wright-Correll 85 days 6 hours ago.
30 fans.
Carl is really our stained glass guru. We own and operate Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center in Munfordville, KY where we teach stained glass, fused glass, all kinds of art workshops, etched glass, matting and framing.
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