How to Glue Clay

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Working with clay is an art. It requires a lot of patience to form the substance into stunning decorative pieces. Clay is fragile, and accidents sometimes happen. You may not have been able to save that vase from the fall, but if you're able to collect all of the pieces, you can use glue to do some lasting repair work on your broken ceramics.

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Warning

  • Most glues for repairing clay are not made for food items. You should not use them on dishes or other objects that will come into contact with food.
  • Glues should be used in a well-ventilated area.

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Select the Glue for Your Needs

There are many forms of glue available on the market. Carefully consider the use of your broken clay form. Using the wrong glue may result in the pieces not adhering together correctly. Some glues dry with a thick seal. Others are not permanent. Read product descriptions on the glue before purchasing to see if it will fit your needs. The glues can be toxic and should not be used on clay items that are for food. Common glues used to glue clay are Epoxy, PVA, and craft glue brands.

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Epoxy

To repair clay items such as broken outdoor pottery, you would need to use a glue like an epoxy. In order to glue clay back together with an epoxy, you will need to mix together the two substances that are included in the packaging.

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PVA Glue

Polyvinyl Acetate, also known as PVA glue, can be used on clay, but is generally not as durable as Epoxy or craft glue, unless it is a specialty type. Some PVA glues will dissolve if water gets on them. These glues do not emit fumes the same way some of the other glues used on clay will. Some of the most common forms of PVA are white school and yellow wood glue. This glue would be safe to use with children, but would not produce a permanent bond.

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Craft Glue

There are many types of craft adhesives, such as tacky glue, super glue, decoupage glues, and others. These can also be used on clay and are made to have a stronger, more lasting bond than PVA glues. Unlike an Epoxy, only one substance is needed to repair broken clay when using a permanent craft glue.

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Glue the Clay

Gluing the clay will require some work. Verify that you have all of the pieces before beginning. Make sure they are clean. Apply the glue and stick the clay back together. Use Popsicle sticks to help spread the glue onto the cracks. Let the glue dry according to the instructions on the product.

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