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What
Light Through Yonder Window Breaks
By
Kelly Mytczynskyj
As I sit looking out these beautifully crafted
stained glass windows, I am reminded of a line from
Shakespeare: “What light through yonder window
breaks?” Pity I cannot tell. Although beautiful,
the panels appear dull and lifeless.
Light continually transforms the appearance of stained
glass due to the amount of light and direction of
light coming through. Years of soot, debris, grease
and pollutants can change the appearance of your glass.
Over time, the amount of light coming through is reduced,
thus giving your stained glass a dull appearance.
Many times you just need a simple dusting. When dusting
doesn’t work, cleaning may be in order.
 Cleaning
stained glass panels or lamps can seem like a challenge.
Many people are afraid they will break or damage their
glass. Yes, glass can be fragile, especially older
glass with impurities that lend stained glass its
unique color and clarity. Most people don’t
realize the caming, joints, and cement add strength
and stability to the stained glass art piece.
Panels of glass are often installed into wood sashes
or cabinet doors that have been shellacked or varnished,
producing a yellow or brown film when transferred
onto the glass. Certain cleaners will remove desired
age old patinas from your lead, brass, copper or zinc
caming. A careful eye and caution are all that need
to be used when tackling the job of cleaning your
stained and leaded panels.
Take a close look at the panel to determine whether
you can clean it yourself or if it needs to be taken
to a professional. Are there any images or designs
painted onto the glass? If so, do not attempt to clean
your glass, take your art piece to a professional
for cleaning.
Are there any cracked or broken joints? Is there missing
cement or putty between the glass pane and the caming?
Does the caming appear to have small white spots?
These things will make your piece more fragile, but
you can still clean it if you are careful.
Look closely at the stained art panel. Can you tell
the cause of the buildup or dirt? Depending on the
amount and type of debris, you may want to have handy:
an old toothbrush, Q-tips, #0000 steel wool, even
single-edge steel razor blades, and old cotton rags.
Toothbrushes and #0000 steel wool are good for textured
glasses as they get into little nooks and crannies
of the different textures.
It’s always best to start the cleaning process
with a soft cotton cloth dipped in distilled water
alone. To clean the glass, start with one piece cleaning
gently before moving onto the next piece of glass,
drying as you go. Clean one side of the glass at a
time. Does it look better? Does it need a little more
cleaning for those stubborn areas? Try Q-tips for
those corner areas. Single-edged steel razor blades
used at a 5 to 15 degree angle are great for flat,
smooth glass and for removing paint and shellac.
Neutral or non-ionic detergents can be used with water
for deeper cleaning. Denatured alcohol or acetone
can be used sparingly on paint and varnish stuck on
glass. If you do not feel confident, do not attempt
this method. Use sparingly as you do not want to damage
the wood or paint. Cleanse again with distilled water.
Gaze admiringly at your newly cleaned stained glass
piece. Shakespeare was correct, it ‘tis the
sun.
If you have difficulty cleaning your piece or it is
too damaged, contact your local stained glass specialist
for help and information on cleaning stained glass.
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