Stained Glass is NOT painted with paints or inks, it's "painted" with
glass that is fused in an oven.  The painting is permanent;  you cannot
scrape off stained glass painting.  Poorly adhered, usually poorly
fired, painting scrapes off.  The pattern is applied with a brush or
with a stencil, and there is no fixer other than heat.  It also cannot
be refired to apply more painting or to repair existing failing
painting.  Repairs could consider adding a clear piece with the restored
painting fired onto it, then laminated over the original piece inserted
into the lead cames.  This is complicated and should be done in a shop
and under the supervision of a stained glass conservator.  Depending on
your area, I might be able to recommend someone.  Many of you may know
Art Femenella, New Jersey;  he is a good resource for exacting repairs.
We've encountered this similar problem on windows, and there are number
of decisions to determine whether the "painting" should be conserved in
context with the entire project.  More later...


QUINN EVANS | ARCHITECTS

Ilene R. Tyler, FAIA



Date:    Sat, 19 Oct 2002 09:53:56 -0400
From:    "Robert J. Cagnetta" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Silkscreened Stained Glass

We have some 1883 church glass that seems to be silkscreened, with a
wash of color in some parts of the design.  We can see the "movement" in
the pattern that may suggest a screening, yet it does not easliy scrape
off.  Is there a "fixer" of some sort applied over it to stabilize it?
And are the inks still available?

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