i have double glazed upvc windows with a lead light pattern which i hate can it be removed and if so how?

kelly, October 2009

I peeled the actual lead off and then used the full flat edge of a Stanley knife blade held in a pair of mole grips to remove the actual glue residue, all that was left after that was a faint outline of the original lead position,if you persist this can all be removed using paint thinners or similar and plenty of elbow grease,I successfully removed lead lighting from a pair of patio doors using the above method.
Good luck.

Ronnie - Y.N.W.A., August 2011

use a window scraper but make sure you change the blades reguarly....
please remember alittle paint thinner on a brush.dab slightly the remove with a window blade scraper has to be at least 4inch wide,,,,take your time and u will be ok.

steve, April 2010

Yes you can remove it, with wd40. It will take a bit of time and a lot of patience

maureen doherty, March 2010

I saw on "to buy or not to buy" that you can remove the residue by using nail varnish remover, havent tried it yet but move in next week to a place with similar horrible windows (why would you want a '80s terrace to pretend like its got lead windows??) so will be giving it a try.

Rebecca, January 2010

hi we have exactly the same problem - have you found a good solution to the problem? we can get to the lead strips - isn't it possible to clean/remove the glue residue somehow after pulling off the lead strips?
desperate for a solution, and not sure I can afford to replace the windows!

Anne, Devon, January 2010

hi if you can get to the lead strips they will peel off quite easily but will leave residue from the glue which would look worse, replacing just the glass with new double glazed units would not be very expensive though.

yorkshire chippie, October 2009