Windows painted shut

WE moved into this house 2 1/2 years ago and haven't really tried alot of the windows since it has central air and all. But I would sure like to get some of them opened when there is a nice wind blowing.
They are windows that slide up, and who ever painted this house inside just painted right over them. We got one in my bedroom opened and it took for ever, my brother did it and he just kept chipping away at it with a trowl.
Can anyone tell me what would be the best way to the paint off so the windows can be opened?

Hope to hear from you.

CC

 

There's really no easy way to do it. The windows could have paint sealing the inside AND the outside, so only you can figure out what needs to be done. You can score the edge of the sash with a utility knife, but sometimes that doesn't do the trick. Other times you have to take a putty knife and actually tap it into the space between the sash and the interior stop (or on the exterior, the parting stop) working all the way around the sash until you've freed up both sides.

Additionally, on the exterior, the sash can be stuck to the sloped sill on bottom (if they painted the window then shut it into the wet glue... I mean paint ) or on the interior it can be stuck to the stool on bottom. The location where the upper and lower sash meet (behind the lock) can also be stuck together.

You will be able to exert more lifting pressure on the sash if you go outside the window and use a pry bar to get under the sash and pry upwards. (prying hard on one corner may break the glass, so be careful.)

Sometimes you can take a block of wood and tap around the edge of the sash with a hammer and get the window to break loose. But if you tap too hard this can also break the glass.

You might also be able to remove the interior stop altogether and get the windows loose that way... but then you'd need to repaint again.

There's no magic wand you can wave to get the windows free. It can be a pain in the neck, especially when the windows are 100 yrs old and have about 10 coats of paint of them.

 

Thank you for replying. It gives us somethings to think about. I hate to break any of the glass but, if it comes to that I guess it does.
Looks ike the painted over every inch and its think. I was thinking of putting paint thinner on it but, I dont know if that would help or not.

Thanks again
C

 

I doubt paint thinner will help any. Cutting the paint bond with an utility knife and then using a stiff putty knife to work it loose all around works best. It is doubtfull you will break any glass as long as you don't get in a hurry. Sometimes you will need to work the putty knife around both sides of the window and occasionally you will need to go thru the motions a 2nd time before it breaks free.