How to Repair Porcelain Dishes

Don't throw away your broken dishes, without trying to repair them first.

Dropping a porcelain dish creates cracks in the plate and may even cause pieces to chip or break away. Throwing away the piece leaves a hole in your set and one that isn’t always easy or cheap to replace. Instead of sending the broken dish to the trash heap, try repairing it first. As long as you have the missing pieces and some time to kill, it’s possible to repair your broken porcelain dishes.

Things You'll Need

• White glue
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Place the largest piece of the dish on a flat surface. Line up the other pieces, determining where each piece goes and how the pattern or design fits together.

2. Apply a thin layer of white glue to the largest piece. While holding it in your hand, press the broken piece into the glue and the remainder of the dish. Keep moving it until it slides into place and stops wiggling around.

3. Hold the piece in your hand for several minutes, until the glue begins to dry. Slowly and gently transfer the broken porcelain to the flat surface. Let it sit until the glue dries completely, according to the manufacturer’s instructions; this may be overnight, depending on the type of glue.

4. Wipe away any excess glue with a damp paper towel. Rub the paper towel lightly over the top of the porcelain dish, while the glue is still drying. Wipe away any leftover water droplets with a dry paper towel.

5. Repeat the process with any other broken pieces, working with the largest pieces first. Apply a thin layer of glue each time, holding the pieces together for a few minutes, then letting the glue dry. Ensure that the glue is completely dry before using.

Tips & Warnings

• If you put the wrong piece on the dish, gently pull the broken piece away. Use a small amount of water to wipe away the glue. If you let the glue dry first, it’s nearly impossible to pull the wrong piece off.

References

• Homespun Peddler: Notes on Repairing Pottery and Dishes