Old UPVC Window frame bead removal.

[nickjaxe]

Hi guys....hope I'm ok posting this on here...but I know you guys can turn your hand to most things like me...but this prob has me stuck.

I'm struggling re glazing some of our old UPVC bay windows.

The design of these is very old not like the more modern types...I would say they are at least 25 years old think I bought then from Total glass in Liverpool...I fitted them with a mate.

Anyway the old glass units are misting up so I bought new glass for all 3 bays....£300.

I re-glazed some UPVC units at the rear of my house not as old....and they where quite easy to get the beads out...I just pulled out the internal rubber bead the glass was now looser in the frame...and the external beads then came out easy.

The bay windows I'm now working on are a real bugger...the internal rubber I seem to remember it clips into the frame before the glass goes in so it wont pull out to loosen the glas...and the external beads then need a good bash down to seat them.

Its these external beads that are a job to get out with out damage...upto now I have 3 out on 1 window...all slightly damaged...cant get the last one out...its already damage but hopefully save-able.

Any tips guys on a method of getting these old type beads out without breaking them....as I dont think I would be able to buy new ones any more and they are big expensive bay windows

Hope I have explained things clearly.

Nick in Runcorn.

 

[Dcal]

Some of the frames have the rubber attached to the outside slips. Usually the inside rubbers are loose rubber and can be removed even if they are seated into the window frame groves.
If this is the case remove all the inside rubber strips for that pane (should just pull out) this would allow the glass to move in the frame. If you then push the glass back you can push the slips back to allow them to be removed. Work from the center of the longest slip you have. there should be a small return to the slip that locks into the window frame that holds it in place. its no unheard of that blobs of silicone are used as well so that might be an additional problem.
A picture of your frame and the slips you have removed would be useful.

 

[nickjaxe]

Hi...no these internal rubbers dont pull out...our back windows are like the type you mention and its east to pull them out...then the outside plastic bead goes slack.

These internal rubbers sit in a grove inside the frame...I tried pulling one out and it just started pulling apart.

Its a very silly design.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

These are helpful for bead removal.

Have you tried matching the bead for replacement.

 

[nickjaxe]

No not looked...we assumed it would be obsolete...

That why we left it to see if there is a better way.

What is that tool...looks like a wood chisel but thinner...I was using a 25mm wood chisel but found it to thick.

 

[cumbriasteve]

This is what I use for removing the trim, plus a million other jobs.

Lidl were/is selling a decent quality one for £2.99

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

No not looked...we assumed it would be obsolete...

That why we left it to see if there is a better way.

What is that tool...looks like a wood chisel but thinner...I was using a 25mm wood chisel but found it to thick.

Chisel knife. For bead removal. Same ilk as Steve's post above. Have a few different shapes in my box. I Used them for old putty removal on sash windows.
Also make good scrapers as there nice and stiff. Used as a putty knife on occasion when mines been AWOL.

 

[nickjaxe]

Good stuff...thanks.

 

[Bawbag]

Get a good paint scraper heat and bend the end about 10 mm to a right angle.when done slip under bead and pry back works a treat

 

[Kent]

There where lots of different systems. Some even had hidden metal corner clips on the external corners of the glass. Clips under the glass etc. Often people glues beads in and double sided glazing tapes are common.

Struggling with the worded description but if they ain't the epdm gaskets internally they are likely the double sided adhesive tape. Cut them out but remember with most of these systems you won't be able to get replacement beads if you make a mistake.!

 

[nickjaxe]

Up-date...I did manage to get one glass unit in last weekend...the only way I could get a bead out was to follows somebodys idea to get a nice thin wood chisel near to the base of a bead in its mid section after teasing it up as far as it would go....bit of brute force comes next.

Hammer the chisel on an angle of 30-45 degs aiming to get it under the bead...it will spilt and damage the bead base on its unseen underside but in a localised area.

I found once I got a section up and free I could tease the rest out.

When we lifted the old glass unit out we could see why we could not pull out the rear rubber sealing gasket...its fitted in a slot in the frame before the glass goes in trapping it...after the glass is in the beads are knocked down into place.

I can see any other way to remove these outer beads on my windows.

I was very very lucky that the damage I did to one very stubborn bead on the window was all on the underside...I did fear it was to far gone but looks fine now its in...hopefully I wont damage any more like this now I have a better idea of how it all goes together.

Almost seems the makers of these windows did not intend to have people take them apart after fitting....not a very good design.

Open to any more suggestions if you guys have any as I have 17 more glass units to fit in my 3 front bays.

I wonder if we could fit the more modern wedge shape rubber gasket that knocks in once the glass and exterior bead are fitted not that I feel it would help getting the beads out if need be in future.

 

[sg66]

Usually a pair of paint scrapers, thin good quality ones and use them to slacken one out, then remove rest starting at a corner, have removed aluminium and plastic ones and never really had an issue, the worse ones are where the plastic trim goes right to the underside, with those start at the top.

 

[normspanners]

It is very unusual to be able to take out the front beads without removing the inner rubbers beads for security reasons, if they have removable front beads the units are usually stuck in with double sided tape. AFAIK
have you tried warming them with a hairdryer, NOT a hot air gun a lot of car trims are impossible to fit cold, warming them up and the job is easy.

 

[nickjaxe]

Mine pre date that idea norm spanner.