Friday, July 1, 2011

Ceramic repair demonstration, decorative plate

PLEASE NOTE: I do not offer ceramic repair services. I hope this post gives you enough information to try doing your own repairs. Also, you can search for someone who offers ceramic repair services in your area.


A good friend brought this sad collection of shards to me wrapped in brown paper. It wasn't a valuable item, but it was part of a 4 plate set that was a gift from her mother, could I repair it? Yes, yes I could

But first I needed a plastic tub, and a bag of sand.

I learned when I was trained to repair ceramics professionally that the best way to repair a plate, or even the handle on a mug, is to anchor part of the broken item in sand, then balance the part you are gluing on top of it.


I try a dry run, seeing if the piece balances without my holding it, then I apply two part 5 minute epoxy glue.


I test all the pieces for fit first like I discussed in my previous ceramic repair post. I want to be sure to assemble the pieces in the correct order to prevent the sad experience of not being able to fit the last piece because it is "locked out". Sometimes that entails gluing smaller pieces to each other first, thereby making fewer larger pieces to fit together.


I only glue two pieces together at a time. I wipe any glue from areas where I will need to fit another piece using a Q-tip dipped in acetone.


While the glue is still uncured, I run my fingers across the crack line compulsively, seeing if I can detect a ridge that would indicate a poor fit. If there's a ridge, I nudge, delicately, the part that is slightly off so it aligns more accurately, then I check the crack again with my fingertips, sometimes my fingernails, making sure the join is smooth along its entire length.


I do that quickly, before the 5 minute glue sets up, using acetone to clean any excess glue off my fingertips.

Once the epoxy is cured, I fill the cracks and chips with vinyl spackling compound, the kind you would use on drywall. When that dries, I use specialty glass paper (sand paper that won't scratch glass or ceramic) to sand it flat for painting.


Then I mix acrylic paints to match the missing spots, when that dries, I use water based glossy polyurethane to make the painted areas match the shine of the glaze.


The repairs aren't invisible, but from a reasonable distance, no-one would notice!

20 comments:

  1. This plate is so pretty too. I can see why she wanted to have it repaired...That looks like some delicate, pain-staking work! Good for you, having the skill and patience to 'Get 'er done'!! :-]

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is just fantastic. I love seeing how you did this.

    The plate is very pretty, and the repair looks good from here.

    Gold stars !

    ReplyDelete
  3. how nice to be able to repair these things. the plate is so pretty too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fab instructions, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. is there anything you cant do?! amazed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. your directions are so clear, I can easily replicate this process. I NEVER thought of painting to complete the process. You are brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is very nice. I have a lid to a cookie jar. Desert Rose pattern from Franciscan Ware. Very old. This looks do-able...lol

    ReplyDelete
  8. what a great tutorial. I'm sure your friend was thrilled with the results!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have a ceramic teapot that cracked a seam. Any ideas that are food safe?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IMO there are no food safe repairs that you can do to cracked or damaged ceramic, glass or porcelain. Once it is broken, even if you fix it, it should only be used decoratively.

      Delete
  10. what was the name brand of the glue that you used? can you find that at a large chain like wal mart or do you have to go to a hobby lobby or michaels to get it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a 5 minute two part epoxy. Dev Con is one brand. But you can probably use any brand. Follow the instructions on the package. You can get it at Home Depot or Lowe's. But I've seen similar glue at Michael's, it comes in a syringe type dispenser which measures out the two parts for you which is nice. And it's not a gallon of glue which you might not need :)

      Delete
    2. Would epoxy clay work as well?

      Delete
    3. I think epoxy clay is too bulky to adhere two pieces, but works very well to fill chips.

      Delete
  11. Awesome! I have wondered for years how to fill in where the shards of ceramic are missing now I know thanks to you. I have two Chinese Horses that were very damaged in freight I'm a painter by trade and I will employ your terrific share of technique and do the repair myself. I hope I can replicate your skill level, maybe I should practice on lesser pieces first, what do you think?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo, if the items are glazed and you have glass paper (sand paper made with glass particles which won't scratch glazes) and you use acrylic paints, you should be safe practicing right on the piece itself as you can sand away dried paints and try again if you are unhappy with results. The repairs will always show and I don't think that's a bad thing, but will be much less noticeable after this technique. Good luck!

      Delete
  12. Is glass paper available with regular sand paper at home repair shops or art stores? I don't remember ever seeing it before. I was also wondering if it is what I might use to get hard water stains off my glass vase?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I managed to fix several broken ceramic objects using this information (thank you!)
    I found this site (see link below) that restores ceramics and it documented further details on how to repair / restore broken, chipped or cracked ceramic step by step with several examples. It also lists what materials to use and where to purchase them (glue, fillers, cold glaze, paints). Take a look at:
    http://www.lakesidepottery.com/Pages/pottery-and-ceramic-fix-restoration-repair.html
    Good luck with your repair

    ReplyDelete
  14. wow awesome instructions, thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete