I have wooden window frame all indoor. Some of them show signs of weather worn. Some have water stains. How do I go about restoring them. What kind of materials (e.g. stain, wax, oil,...etc) can I use to protect them from wear? Thanks!

 

I'm guessing that your wood windows and trim have seen better days? Trim takes a beating from the sun, and the areas next to the glass also have to endure frequent sweating. Window stools are often stained due to water leakage, or the occasional potted plant that left stains on the woodwork. Most frequently, this sort of damage will require sanding, staining and varnishing.

It's likely that your windows have been finished with varnish- it is the shiny coating that is probably still intact on most of your casing. But the portions that are weathered or stained will need to be sanded down. 100 or 120 grit sandpaper should do the trick. Lightly sand the weathered areas until the wood begins to appear clean. Then you will need to match the stain. It often helps to take along an actual piece of trim to the store so that you can get the right color- or so that someone else can help you. You will need to stain the woodwork (stain won't soak into anything still covered with varnish) then allow 24 hours to dry.

When you want to apply the finish, you probably have 2 options.

1). Apply Sanding sealer, following the directions, then apply Varnish.

2). Apply Polyurethane sanding sealer, following the directions, then apply polyurethane. (some brands of polyurethane do not require a sealer- and they also may not last when applied over a previous finish- such as Varnish, so beware!)

Polyurethane will hold up better than varnish, while varnish will likely be the most compatable with what you currently have. Either way, it's bound to be an improvement over your current weather-beaten trim.