THE STAINED GLASS RESTORATION PROCESS
RETURN
1)  A panel is removed from the ceiling by Wattle and Daub contractors.  They must first disconnect the artificial lighting and then remove the metal decking over the stained glass panels.  The panel is then maneuvered through the tight areas of the attic to the third floor of the Capitol building.  In most cases the panel is carried by hand down three flights of stairs by a skilled crew.

2)  The panel is delivered to our studio where it is inspected before the crew leaves.  If we have a completed panel they take it back and the process is reversed.

3)  The first thing we do with each panel is to document the original condition with digital pictures and video if necessary.

4)  The steel reinforcing bars are then removed.  This is one of the slowest and most critical processes in a restoration.  Extreme care must be taken to avoid breaking any of the original glass.

5)  After the rebars have been removed we do a full sized rubbing to obtain an exact pattern of the original panel.  We use the pattern to relead the panel and it them becomes part of the restoration documentation.  The pattern is then taped to the building board.  Each piece of glass is then numbered on the pattern as well as on the piece of glass.

6)  All lead is then carefully clipped from the top surface of the panel and each piece of glass is then removed and stacked for cleaning.  The old cement and years of accumulated filth is then scraped and removed from the glass.  Broken pieces of glass are repaired with adhesive when possible.  Missing glass is cut from new glass matching the original glass  as closely as possible.

7)  The panel is then releaded, soldered, cemented and reinforced to match the original panel as closely as possible.  This is slow and tedious work.  Great care must be taken to maintain the historical value of the panels, yet at the same time, the panels must be constructed to higher standards than the original in order to guarantee a lifespan exceeding the original work.




METAL DECK REMOVAL CLIPPING THE LEAD REMOVING THE GLASS STACKS OF GLASS AND THE BROKEN PIECES RELEADING THE PANEL