All exterior surfaces of wood windows should be covered with 2 coats of premium quality alkyd resin, linseed oil vehicle exterior paint. Enamel grade is preferred. Finish coats must cover the window glazing putty or wooden glazing stop, and should be applied in a bead about 1/32" on the glass as well; this seals the putty or stop and also seals the joint with the glass.
     If the window glazing putty is not painted, it will crack and fall out much sooner than when painted. Adams Architectural uses a linseed oil based putty that is paintable shortly after we install it, so please feel free to paint the glazing when you receive your windows. We feel that using a brush rather than spray is a better method of application. Using a brush tends to push paint into the wood grain, and into all the vulnerable joints. Spray finish tends to "lay on" the finish paint coating.
     We recommend that you paint the bottom of the lower sash and the top of the upper sash for protection. For double-hung sash, we do not recommend that you paint the sides of the sash, or point of contact with the jamb.
     Painting of all millwork should be done at a temperature above 55 and below 90 degrees. Paint should cure at least 24 hours at that temperature before re-coating or final installation.
     Paint is manufactured in a wide variety of quality ranges. Cheap paint is not a good bargain, since it will not last over long periods of time. The use of good quality paint will make the job last much longer.