What kind of tape for this horror show?

My guess is that *any* type of tape is going to take the dirt off, and I don't think duct tape will get gooey in such a short period of time, so I'd opt for the duct tape. in other words, whatever you use may leave behind some evidence, so you might as well just go for it.

On the other hand, do you really need to seal the window or just protect it? I recently replaced a window in the rain, which included painting, caulking etc. It was the last window of nine, and it would have meant at least a 2 week delay before I could get back to the project if I let the rain stop me.

I rigged up a tarp from an upper window and roof section and tied the bottom off with ropes and tent pegs, making a slanted tent over the first floor window. I left it up for 3 days until the sun finally came back out, by which time the caulk and paint were dry enough to expose to the elements. Wind would have been a problem, but I got lucky.

There are no eaves on this particular side of the house, so I really do need to seal the window. The screen is still in place (it's a stupid arrangement), so I wrapping that with plastic just to keep the room warm/cool/whatever. But, any rain hitting that window opening will drain under the screen and down the recently painted walls. Not good.

It just got more interesting. Removed the little clamps that hold on the storm windows, lifted out the storm window, and half the putty from the wood frame window came along with it. The people who owned the house before me were young. They didn't know the rule about curing time for paints, putties, etc: It always takes two to ten times longer than whatever the instructions say.

At this rate, we're talking a week, round trip, for putty, primer, high gloss paint. Phuque!

Then just nail a tarp or piece of plastic over it and be done with it.

--

Nail through my siding? I think not.

-- Nail through my siding? I think not

Screws?

Considering my current mood, this is looking like a better idea:

I shouldn't be in this mood. This house has been mostly trouble free. But I hate puttying windows, and then waiting and waiting and waiting...

Edge of the window frame.

--

idea:

- I shouldn't be in this mood. This house has been mostly trouble free. But I

- hate puttying windows, and then waiting and waiting and waiting

...which is one of the main reasons why I decided to replace my windows a few months ago. It was either reglaze the panes, paint the sashes and caulk the storms before winter or just bite the bullet and replace them.

The other reason was the triple track storms - picture a week of 90 degree days and 70 degree nights. We were running the air conditioner on cool nights because we didn't want to go around the house wrestling with the storms before bed and then wrestling with them again when we got up.The first time I realized that it was hotter in the house with the AC on than it was outside, I knew it was time to take some action.

New windows are a couple of years away for me. I wish....

Any tape you use is going to make a mess if it gets sunshine.

Could you trap a piece of plastic between the upper sash and top of the window and extend it to the ground where you could weight it down?

A blowing rain it going to get in no matter what you do.

on 10/5/2007 2:06 PM JoeSpareBedroom said the following:

There's no sash. These windows are weird. They're hinged at the top, latched at the bottom, and swing out. The screen's on the inside, set up the same way, but they swing inward. It's really stupid.

I have a total of 10 windows to paint, with enough room to work on 2 at a time. I'm thinking about getting a couple of pieces of plexiglass cut to size tomorrow, and wedge them in place with some weatherstripping.

Where did you find that, Bill? Big box store?

on 10/5/2007 6:29 PM JoeSpareBedroom said the following:

Yes. I think that both HD and Lowes has it. I haven't checked in local hardwares since my local closed last year, despite my shopping there for

on 10/5/2007 7:13 PM willshak said the following:

If you can find gaffer's tape (try photographic, audio-video or lighting supply stores), that should be better (stronger, less mess) than duct tape.

Now, there's a good idea. There's a pro music store 10 minutes from here.

-- New windows are a couple of years away for me. I wish

Do a room at a time. I couldn't be happier...except when I think about how I should have done a room at a time over the last 6 or 7 years.