How to Repair Plaster & Porcelain

Plaster and porcelain are very common materials in our homes, used as building supplies and decoration. Historically, Michelangelo used plaster (also called stucco) to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel during the Renaissance. According to Asiannouveau.com, China was the first civilization to fire porcelain around 1000 AD. When a stucco statue falls over or someone drops your pricy China dish during the holidays, it is nice to know some basic techniques to repair them.

Things You'll Need

• Glue
• Spackle
• Acrylic paints
• Nail files
• Clear epoxy glue
• Toothpicks
• Cotton swabs
• Acetone (nail polish remover)

Instructions

Plaster and Stucco

1. Set up a repair station outside or in your garage, as stucco dust can spread and stick to other objects easily. Brush off and clean the individual pieces. It will be helpful if you lay out the pieces to make sure that you will glue the correct ones together.

2. Take the glue and spread it thinly up to the edge of the broken pieces. Fit the stucco pieces together as best you can; you can try to add small loose chips but it is key to keep the surface as smooth as possible. Let the object sit and dry for at least 30 minutes.

3. Fill in the cracks with household spackle, and smooth it over with your fingers. Again, let it sit until it fully dries and take a nail filer to smooth away any remaining hard edges. If you want to restore the color, mix acrylic paint and apply it to your stucco art.

Porcelain

1. Set your porcelain item into a secure fit before applying glue. Clamp a dish together with two clamps (one on either side), circle masking tape around a delicate object (like a wine glass), or embed an object in a dish of sand for support before you start gluing.

2. Mix the glue based on its instructions---mix only as much as you need. Apply glue with a toothpick to the broken edges of a piece. Press it to another piece gently yet firmly and hold. Use the acetone with a cotton swab to remove excess glue.

3. Repeat this process until the piece is complete. Depending on the amount of damage to the piece, you may need to apply several layers or spread out your repairs over the entire piece. If the damage is significant, it may be best to hire a professional art restorer. Attempting large repairs on a piece of art can greatly diminish its value.

Tips & Warnings

• When mixing paint for your stucco, remember that the new paint will dry darker than it appears when wet.

• You might need to hire a professional if the damage to your stucco or porcelain is bad enough; antique store owners are good people to ask for recommendations.

References

• Ask the Builder
• Keller China
• Porcelain