How to Fix an Antique Ceramic Mug
Fixing a utilitarian ceramic mug is usually not worth the effort, because the cost of buying a new one is minimal. However, if you have a broken or chipped antique ceramic mug, you may want to invest time in fixing it. The ideal scenario when fixing an antique mug is to have all the pieces of the mug. However, even if there are some missing pieces, you can still repair it, provided you use additional materials.
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Things You'll Need
- Sponge
- Detergent
- Sandpaper
- PVA glue or epoxy
- Paintbrushes or cotton swabs
- Plaster
- Natural pigments (optional)
- Gauze
- Paints
- Varnish
Instructions
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1
Establish whether your ceramic mug is chipped, cracked or has a broken piece. If you have a broken piece, check whether it fits perfectly in its original place.
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2
Wipe off dust, and if the mug is soiled, wash it with a damp sponge and detergent. Allow the mug to dry. If the mug has been fixed before and you identify plaster or glue residue, sand the surface to remove the glue or plaster and wipe with a damp sponge.
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3
Apply PVA glue or epoxy putty to the edges of the broken piece using a paintbrush or a cotton swab and apply glue on the mug, where the piece goes. Press the piece to the mug and hold for five to 10 minutes, until the glue sets. Keep the mug on a shelf or stand and allow to dry for 12 to 24 hours. If you the mug is not broken, skip this step.
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4
Fill in small chips or cracks in the antique ceramic mug using glue or epoxy putty. If the chips are larger or you have small missing pieces, use plaster. Prepare a liquid with equal amounts of plaster and water. If you want to color the plaster, add natural pigments. Apply the plaster to the chipped area and allow to dry. If you have a larger missing piece, apply a piece of gauze to the missing area and apply several layers of plaster to fully cover the gauze and until the plaster has the thickness of the mug. Allow to dry between layers.
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5
Sand the mug to remove the excess glue, plaster or epoxy putty with fine-grit sandpaper.
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6
Mix color that looks like the original color of the mug. Apply the color to the mug to cover the glue or plaster. Plaster absorbs color, so apply two or three coats of color, until the color is similar to the rest of the mug. The color will be matte.
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Apply two coats of varnish to obtain a glossy finish. If the mug has a matte finish, opt for a matte varnish.
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Tips & Warnings
If the mug has a patina, identify the colors that make up the patina (typically two or three colors). Apply the first color and allow to dry. Apply the second color to cover the first color entirely, and before it dries completely, wipe areas of the second color with a moist sponge to create a patina. Apply varnish.
Wear a mask when sanding the mug or plaster to avoid inhaling the tiny particles.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
