Stained Glass Repair Tips

Oh Crud, my glass art needs stained glass repair!

What in the world can I do to fix my stained glass piece?

This is a question we receive quite often. We thought it important to add this as we know that you either work hard or spend good money on each piece of glass art you have.

Below is one way to repair stained glass. This is a method that has worked when it comes to breaks or seperation of your glass art.

Here are the all important steps if a piece of glass has separated from another piece of glass:

1. Hold the panel steady and in place by using horseshoe nails around the panel. Use a wood clamp and tighten carefully and slowly so there won’t be too much pressure on the glass. You can use wood blocks so the clamp won’t slip. As you tighten the clamp it should be pulling the glass back in position. For additional reinforcements it’s good to put 2 clamps one on each side of the separated glass.

2. Apply a piece of copper foil along the glass to make an extra lead line without having to cut the glass. Use a utility knife to cut the copper foil flush with the existing lead line.

3. Apply a small piece of copper between the glass on each side of the panel. This should add additional strength.

4. Put flux along the original lead lines to prepare for solder.

5. Solder each end before soldering the whole piece. This will hold the copper strip and foil in place. Solder the piece a little at a time to help prevent the glass from breaking. Turn panel over and solder the opposite side.

6. Now that the glass has been soldered , clean the panel well and patina the lead line.

This is one method on stained glass repair. It is an area that you only see every so often. We'll continue to add tips and techniques as we try, research, and hear about them.