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Repairing china & pottery

CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a

9 years ago

Hi all!

I have some Fitz & Floyd Total Color, to be exact, from the 70s. A few pieces have broken, but could easily be glued back together. No shattering, just a chunk off type break.

I also have some custom pottery that was made for me when I was married. The potters have since died, and I love the dishes. I have a few that need to be repaired.

Short of a special restorer somewhere, which isn't an option, what glue would you use? Crazy glue lasted on one piece of pottery for five or six years' worth of dishwasher washing, but fell off recently.

What's durable? and hopefully not flesh-eating.

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

Lily Spider
9 years ago
A local pottery place may sell a special glue or have the best recommendation for what to use.
CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
Original Author
9 years ago
Hmm.

Now to find such a beast...
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mudhouse
9 years ago
This little tutorial (written by a ceramic restoration studio) says to use a two part clear epoxy:
How to Repair Broken Pottery, Ceramic, China, Porcelain

Martha Stewart (your hero, right?) says to use a fast drying epoxy, and the pics look like she's also using a two part epoxy:

Gluing Wood and Repairing China

I hate to admit, it but I've actually had OK results with lowly Elmer's Glue, even with dishwasher use. (I was rather shocked myself.) I doubt Martha would approve, though, and I'm pretty sure you have higher standards. ;-)
CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
Original Author
9 years ago
Huh. I expected Elmer's to wash out, given it's water based!

I was also surprised the crazy glue gave up after a couple of years. Guess that guy hanging in a hard hat never had to deal with 5 or 6 years of dishwashers or he'd have fallen off the beam on his bummy.

Thanks for the links. I'm going to go read.

"Oh, Marrrrrthhaaaaaa," she called out, brightly. "I'm coming to visit...."

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