How to Repair Chipped or Cracked China
China--a smooth, glassy form of baked clay--is among the most beautiful tableware materials ever created. You don't have to break the bank to fix a cracked teacup or a chipped water pitcher. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Disposable Cup
- Epoxy Glue
- Masking Tape
- Acrylic Paint For Touch-up
- Clear Glaze
- Glue Stick Or Matchstick
- Paintbrush
- Razor Blade Or X-Acto Knife
- Oven Mitts
- Plastic Or Wood Cutting Board
- Toothpick
- Milliput
- Paint Powder
- 220-grit Sandpaper
- Oven mitts
Instructions
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For chips
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Roll equal quantities of milliput, which comes in a kit with two tubes, into a ball until the two colors have fused. You can buy milliput, a type of modeling putty, at art supply stores.
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2
Apply the milliput to the chip with a toothpick, then return the chip to its original position.
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3
If needed, place masking tape taut across the repaired area to hold in place.
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4
Allow the chip to set for 6 hours, then remove any masking tape.
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5
Sand gently with fine (220-grit) sandpaper until the milliput is flush with the surface. Take care not to damage the china's glaze or decoration.
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6
Touch up with acrylic paint as needed.
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7
Brush on a clear glaze, available at art supply stores, if you wish to achieve a glossy finish.
For cracks
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8
Put the cracked piece of china in an oven at very low heat--150and#176; to 200and#176;F (65and#176; to 95and#176;C).
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9
Mix epoxy glue (which comes in a kit with two tubes) in the tray that comes with the epoxy glue or in a disposable cup.
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10
Dip a glue stick, matchstick or toothpick into paint powder that matches the china color. Mix until the color looks right.
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Take the cracked item out of the oven using oven mitts, then place on a plastic or wood cutting board. The heat of the oven will cause the crack to widen ever so slightly.
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12
Fill the crack with the tinted glue mixture, using the small stick. Let dry overnight. The crack will condense as the china cools.
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13
Chip away hardened glue with a razor blade or an X-Acto knife.
For more serious breakage
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If the china is an antique or of great sentimental value, hire a professional ceramic restorer to do the repair. Ask for a reference at an antiques shop or search the yellow pages or Internet under "china" or "antique" repair and restoration.
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Contact a china replacement company if an irreparably broken piece of china is part of a set.
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Tips & Warnings
Look for paint powder (available at home supply and art supply stores) that is recommended for china.
If you send your china to a ceramic restorer to have it fixed, package each piece separately in bubble wrap or tissue. Many restorers have a backlog and the repair work is time-consuming, so it may take weeks or months for your repair to be completed.
Restored china will never be as strong as the original piece. Use it as infrequently as possible.
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Comments
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Mar 07, 2006
Milliput chip filler is toxic and therefore not suitable for filling chips or cracks on any food service items. Use non-toxic Milliput substitute. It works just like the professional filler, but without the chemical toxins. It's also more healthy for you to handle. -
Mar 07, 2006
Milliput chip filler is toxic and therefore not suitable for filling chips or cracks on any food service items. Use non-toxic Milliput substitute. It works just like the professional filler, but without the chemical toxins. It's also more healthy for you to handle.
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Dec 23, 2005
Milliput is a toxic chip filler; very unhealthy. Chip filler is the only product that a restorer needs to physically touch.
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Dec 23, 2005
Milliput is a toxic chip filler; very unhealthy. Chip filler is the only product that a restorer needs to physically touch.
