SCREEN MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

1. A small hole or break, large enough to admit insects, may be covered over with any quick-drying waterproof glue. It completely cover the hole with a film.
2. Larger holes may be patched by using a quick-drying waterproof glue to attach a new section of screen material to the old. Extend patch 2" beyond torn spot.
3. Loose corner joints can be tightened by drilling 3/8" hole, then driving in 3/8" dowel coated with glue. The dowel extends 2" into adjoining piece. Use slotted dowels.
4. If ends of frame piece are rotted but frame is otherwise sound, cut of bad part at angle and splice on new piece, jointing with countersunk screws, and dowel at corner joint.
5. To replace screen with new material, first lift trim strips covering tacks or staples. Lift with putty knife and work gently.These strips are brittle.
6. If only half of screen is damaged, cut away bad portion at central brace, leaving good part intact. Screen can be cut away with heavy shears or tin snips.
7. To provide necessary tension, tack screens down at center, then wrap end of roll around board, using board as lever to tighten screen for tacking.
8. If you don't have stapling machine, use regular staples, staggering points across screen mesh to provide maximum holding strength.
9. For full-length screen replacement, tack to one end, bow screen as shown, then tack at other end. This system provides proper tension.
10. If screen are sound, go over them with wire brush to remove dirt and rust or corrosion. Brush both sides in all direction to do this job right.
11. After brush treatment, clean wire with vacuum cleaner to pick up dust in preparation for paining. This assures maximum vision though screens.
12. Apply shellac or varnish to wire screen ( plastic screening requires no paint) and let flow though joints along edges to seal against rain penetration.
13. Sand off old paint, particularly along edges, or new coat will make screen wider and produce tight fit in frames. Forcing damages paint.
14. Paint frames last.Use good-quality outside paint and be sure all wood is covered.