Adding On To An Existing Piece of Stained Glass

I have a finished piece of stained glass that is 20x27 and I want to enlarge it to fit an exising window. It is finished with a welded metal strip around the edge. Is it possible to remove this without destroying the window and then adding a border of several layers of bevels? Or is there a better way to do this?

thank you!

Marcy

Answer
Hi Marcy,

I'll assume that the window is copper foiled and the metal strip is zinc came. If I'm correct, yes the zinc can be removed and new pieces added. If I'm not correct, please send me a picture here so I can see what the metal strip is.

Here is a technique to remove the zinc came. It's not the way I'd do it, but it will make it easier for anyone that doesn't have experience in that area.

Cut long strips of aluminum from a soda or beer
can. Make the strips about 1/2" wide. Cut each strip down to about 2 inches. You'll now have a lot of strips 1/2" x 2".

Melt the solder at each place where the zinc attaches to the glass. As soon as you get one spot melted, slide an aluminum strip between the glass and the zinc at that precise spot. You'll have to be quick so the solder doesn't set again. The strip will keep the zinc from re-attaching to the panel. Do this both front and back of the panel.

Once all of the joints are melted, do 2 opposite corners of the zinc frame. As you melt the solder, try to pull the two pieces of zinc apart. You might have to use more aluminum strips.

When the 2 corners are open, the zinc should slide off the panel with no problems.

Smooth off any solder lumps that are left behind, and it will be ready for more glass to be added.