How to Fix Broken Greenware
Clay is granite rock ground into crystalline particles that are composed of silica, alumina, sand and even glass. Cast ceramics are made by mixing clay, water and chemicals together, creating a cream-like liquid called slip. Slip is then poured into hollow-shaped molds made from plaster of paris. The mold absorbs the water from the slip, leaving a solid layer of clay near the porous mold. Excess slip is drained to be reused, the mold is removed and the formed piece is now called greenware. Fresh greenware must dry and harden for 24 hours, after which time it is still very soft and can be molded and shaped slightly. Greenware is cleaned, painted, fired in a kiln and then ready to be used as a planter in the garden. No matter how carefully greenware is handled, items can break on occasion. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Elmer's glue
- Water
- Sponge
- Elmer's exterior wood filler
- Putty knife
- Clearcote acrylic sealer
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Apply Elmer's glue. Squeeze a moderate amount of glue on each piece to be glued back together. Avoid using excessive amounts of glue.
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2
Press the two pieces of greenware together. Wiggle them gently back and forth until the pieces are nestled together snugly.
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3
Remove excess glue by wetting a sponge and squeezing off excess water. Wipe off any residual glue from the greenware pieces, taking care not to shift the pieces in the process.
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4
Fill any crevices or gaps with Elmer's wood filler. Apply a small amount to a putty knife and spread over any spaces or holes around the break. This process also helps fortify the glue.
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5
Apply a thin layer of Clearcote acrylic sealer with a paintbrush to protect the repair.
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Tips & Warnings
Elmer's glue allows increased maneuverability and a more precise fit with the greenware pieces.
After the wood filler dries, paint can be applied prior to adding the Clearcote sealer.
Clearcote acrylic sealer is extremely flammable and generate fumes; it should not be used if you are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy. Use this product in a well-ventilated area out of doors.
Resources
- Photo Credit Jeremy Burgin: Flickr.com
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Comments
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Keith James Thanks so much for your help. I will try that !
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The best way to make a repair on greenware is to slowly get the area on both pieces (or each entire piece) moist again by misting it several times over the course of a day or so and keeping it sealed in plastic bag. Once the entire piece is damp again, it will be easier to make a repair as you are dealing with portions that are all drying at the same rate instead of trying to have a wet piece dry on a totally dry one (which always ends up separating because of the uneven moisture levels.) Greenware repairs are difficult, but can be done with a lot of patience. I wish you the best of luck!
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Thank you for this clarification because it did not make sense to me either. I have a piece of greenware (not fired) that I tried to repair with slip but did not work. it is a slab box piece and the end broke off when i picked it up by that piece. :-( I'm thinking of firing them separately and then using an epoxy to repair it. I do not know what else to do.
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Once something is fired, it's no longer truly considered "greenware" by those in the potting industry. These instructions apply ONLY to something that has already been fired, which is known as bisque. The pieces pictured are actually past the bisque stage as they are glazed. True greenware can only be repaired with slip, not glue.
