DIY Guide: Repairing Ceramics with Glue

Repairing ceramics with glue is not so easy task.

Why?

Ceramic objects are very delicate and tend to break easily with high impacts. Fortunately, a broken ceramic piece is a problem with a solution. You just need to apply glue and join the pieces.

However, to get the best results it’s necessary to apply a series of steps. You should also choose the right type of glue to obtain a strong bond.

If this is the first time you repair a ceramic object and don’t know how to choose the right glue, don’t worry. In this article you’ll learn everything you need to know to repair any ceramic object like a pro.

Why Need to Repair Ceramics?

Accidents happen all the time. Especially when you’re close to a ceramic object. If you aren’t careful, you could trip and break something. If it’s too late for warnings and you’ve just made a mess, don’t worry. There’s always a solution.

If you don’t have enough money to replace an invaluable piece of antique pottery, don’t worry. With a little glue and patience, you can work miracles. However, first you’ll need to have all the materials and tools at hand. You also need to know the procedure to follow in these cases.

Step by Step Guide of Repairing Ceramics with Glue

Repairing a broken ceramic piece isn’t as difficult as it seems. Below, you’ll find a detailed explanation of how to do it.

Tools and Materials

Procedure

Here is the full step by step procedure.

1 First of all, clean the ceramic object using a dry cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Dust and other particles on the surface can affect the adhesion between pieces. If the surface is dirty when you apply the glue, the bond won’t be strong enough.

2 After that, fill a flat container with rice. Then place the ceramic object on the rice. This will prevent the object from moving while you apply the glue.

3 Then, mix the resin and the hardener on a piece of cardboard. Make sure to apply the correct doses of each active component. You can find that information on the product packaging.

4 Apply epoxy glue around each broken piece using a wooden stick. Then put the pieces together and apply pressure for a few seconds. If the object is broken into many pieces, don’t join them all at once. Join one piece at a time at 20 minute intervals.

5 Then, let the ceramic object rest on the rice. To prevent the object from deforming by its own weight, attach small pieces of clay between cracks.

6 If there’s excess epoxy glue on the surface, wait for the glue to completely dry. Then use a utility knife to remove the excess. Be careful not to scratch the surface.

7 After the ceramic piece is completely dry, fill the cracks with epoxy filler. Mix the resin and hardener on a piece of cardboard. Apply the recommended doses.

8 Then, apply the filler in the cracks using a small spatula. Make sure not to leave any air bubbles inside the cracks. Then, wait at least 12 hours for the product to fully cure.

9 Finally, use a Dremel with a 120-grit sanding disc to remove excess filler on the surface. Make sure to use the lowest speed of your tool to avoid wearing down the ceramic. You can also use a small piece of 400-grit sand paper for a smoother finish.

Conclusion

As you can see, repairing a ceramic object requires time, patience and attention to detail. If you want to get the best results, you should also use the best materials and tools. Be careful to not apply too much pressure when joining the ceramic pieces so as not to deform the object.

If you carefully follow all the tips in this article, all your repaired ceramic objects will look better than new.