i have leadlight windows that have warped ove the years due to the hot sun (i live in south africa) and i have tried unsuccessfully to fix them by re-soldering them back together but it looks like a dogs breakfast. what is the best way of going about it?

Rory, June 2010

Hi Rory,
I am a leadlight teacher from Australia and after reading your question I doubt very much if the problem is caused by hot sun - we too have very hot sun as well.
I would suggest there is another problem. Is your area affected by high winds? I would also need to know if the panel has or more than likely, hasn't any reiforcing internally in the panel. (All leadlights should be reinforced if they are over a certain size.) Is it a door panel and does it suffer slamming in wind?
Of course it is difficult to answer this question with out certain information and you can try the following which may have the answers for you.
I have published leadlight tutorials on HubPages. Google this and have a look at lesson 7 & 8 which may help you.
Best of luck.

John Jackson, January 2011

I had (still have) a similar problem - I asked in a local shop specialising in this work (fancy lampshades & glass) - the guy said he could do it for me at a cost but it was also possible to do it myself... Now for the bad news...

He said that restorers ALWAYS completely dismantle the pane and build it up again with new lead - attempting to fix a broken joint is not a realistic approach, as you and I can confirm.

Take a photograph before dismantling then - Flux - Lead and a 100W minimum Soldering Iron - courses are available - There are a few videos onYoutube.

Good luck...

Peccavi, June 2010