Whiting powder clears glazing oil off the glass
When you set glazing putty, oil ends up smeared on the glass. Whiting is how glaziers take it off. This is Austin’s pure whiting, a calcium carbonate powder that absorbs the oil residue instead of fighting it with chemicals. Dust it over the glass, give it a moment, then brush the powder off and the glass comes clear.
It’s safe on every kind of glass, including old wavy and antique panes, because it’s a dry powder that won’t scratch.
How to use it
After you’ve glazed, dust the whiting over the finished work with an old paintbrush. Brush it liberally over the glass to absorb the oil. Give it about 30 seconds, then brush or blow off the excess. The glass is clean and the putty can cure undisturbed.
More than glass cleaning
Mix a little into glazing putty for easier tooling, or into oil-based paint to help it work smoother and to keep it from sagging on vertical surfaces.
The details
- 100% calcium carbonate powder
- 2-pound resealable jar
- Keeps indefinitely when stored dry and sealed
Frequently asked questions
What is whiting powder?
Whiting is a pure calcium carbonate powder. This is Austin’s pure whiting, 100% calcium carbonate, used by glaziers to absorb glazing oil off the glass after setting putty. It is a dry powder, so it absorbs the oil residue instead of fighting it with chemicals.
Is whiting powder the same as calcium carbonate?
Yes. Austin’s pure whiting is 100% calcium carbonate powder.
How do you use whiting powder for window glazing?
After you’ve glazed, dust the whiting over the finished work with an old paintbrush. Brush it liberally over the glass to absorb the oil, give it about 30 seconds, then brush or blow off the excess. The glass comes clean and the putty can cure undisturbed.
Is whiting powder safe on antique or wavy glass?
Yes. It is safe on every kind of glass, including old wavy and antique panes, because it is a dry powder that won’t scratch.
What else can whiting powder be used for besides cleaning glass?
It doubles as a paint and putty additive. Mix a little into glazing putty for easier tooling, or into oil-based paint to help it work smoother and keep it from sagging on vertical surfaces.
Glazing a window? These hands-on guides from The Craftsman Blog walk you through choosing your putty and tooling a clean, lasting bead.
Watch the tutorial
The Ultimate Guide to Glazing Putty
Whiting is one of those traditional materials that quietly makes glazing work better, and this guide explains the whole putty system. Scott covers products and technique in depth. Good reading before you fine-tune your putty with whiting.
Related tutorials
From The Craftsman Blog
5 Secrets to Glazing Windows
Professional-looking glazing comes down to a handful of techniques, and this post lays out five. A smooth putty, helped along by whiting, is part of the formula. Worth a read before you glaze.