I used to have a gallery where I would do art with old frames. One of the best ways I have found to keep them grungy but not have them shed paint all over your carpet is to give them a good scrub outside with a brush and some biodegradable soap, chip off all crumbling leading (the stuff that keeps the window panes in), gently scrub the painted parts to get rid of the worst flakes, and coat the painted parts in a sealer. Then you can put new leading in, or find some other way to keep the panes in (if that's what you're going for).

Be very careful cleaning these frames up; they are probably covered in lead paint. Buy some test swabs at the hardware store. If they test positive, please use gloves and a mask when working on them. Don't forget to test the caulk that holds the glass in place too.

The power sprayer at the car wash with the caulking left in. Let dry thoroughly then remove panes and caulking. Replace with new window caulk. Be sure to clean up the debris that falls off and dispose of it sensibly, it probably is lead paint. Sealer, too. Agree with W, gloves and mask. Then just hang them as is on a blank wall or over the bed. Stunning find!

I have a similar window frame situation that i was going to tackle over the next week or so... love the timing of this post.

My plan was to give it a good washing with Windex to get the initial layer of dirt off the glass and wood. But then I was stumped as well as to keep the antique look while losing the dirt. I was probably going to take a wire brush to the wood to try to remove some dirt, wipe it down again and leave it like that.

I look forward to other suggestions too.

I bought a very old and rustic table at a garage sale, same paint situation. The seller had coated the entire table with a mixture of melted paraffin and mineral oil -- the same treatment that is commonly given good butcher block. It turned out very nice and really preserved the rustic quality of the table, and the paint does not chip or anything. Good luck!

Ooooh, great set of windows you found there.

I regularly work with old windows to create mirrored artwork using the French tradition of verre eglomise to gild the glass with silver leaf, a delicate nontoxic process. See examples of gilded glass at www.resplendid.etsy.com

To clean up your windows, I would start outside with a garden hose. Then, wearing protective gloves and mask (there is a good chance of lead paint here), scrape away any loose peeling bits from the frame. Wash it more thoroughly with simple dish soap, a water bucket, and an old rag (scrub brush for stubborn spots). If the paint is especially flakey, a good coat of clear water-based brush on varnish is a good idea. If any of the panes are loose, secure then with new glazers tips (available at hardware stores or framing section of craft shops) and possibly extra caulk. Then finish up with some windex on the glass.

Remember to use sturdy hanging hardware and possible more than one anchor point in your wall if the windows are heavy.

Post a pic when they're done so we can see how great they look.

Leading, glazing, caulking... crap that keeps the panes from falling out ;)

Good tips on the lead paint, sometimes it's easy to forget about that!

Fill them with black and white copies of photos you love. Black and white looks beautiful against yellow.

Skip cleaning them and put them outside and use them as a trellis!

I saw somewhere they put a vintage map inside. I thought that looked really cool!

Here is what I'm talking about...
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qD35N0b91JI/SZCWSR7o3AI/AAAAAAAAAfs/WNDm8Y7qjUs/s400/map+in+door.jpg

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I'm glad you mentioned lead paint- it hadn't even occurred to me! Lots of great suggestions here- I'll be sure to share the finished results!

Thanks again!
-Katie

You can put some pictures on it.

I'd treat them like I would treat a rare antique. These windows are obviously old. Is the glass handmade? Do you see imperfections in the panes that would indicate something that was entirely handmade?

I would clean them with water and maybe a little soap. I would use nothing more abrasive than a microfiber cloth. I would do everything to preserve the existing finish. I would resist using any type of modern chemical-based sealant. You can get by using a natural-oil based sealant if you wish to preserve the piece.

Most important......maintain the character of the piece. You can't duplicate the patina that these windows have acquired over time. :)

Preserve the beaty that prompted you to take them in the first place. Authenticity can't be faked.

We have an old window like that hanging in our kitchen. It was given to us as a gift and the giver had tied some old-fashioned keys with raffia and glued them to the tops of each pane so they hand down to about the middle. I found a picture frame at Target that was perfect and mounted it to the middle. The window worked out perfectly as a background for the frame and a cool piece of art. The wall it is mounted on is a robin's egg color and the window is white-ish. It is my favorite piece in the whole house! Its the thing everyone notices and comments on first when they come over. Hope you find a perfect way to use such a perfect find!

my in-laws gave us the window out of my husband's old bedroom before they replaced the windows and sold their house. i put cork board squares in a couple of the panes and hung it on the wall above the desk in my kitchen. the other panes are filled with pictures of family. it's a super cheap project that makes the window very useful.