Basic Materials
Tips for Repairing Ceramics: Best Ceramics Repair Glue
Breaking a ceramic plate or coffee cup is quite common when handling delicate items daily, while washing or simply using them. It would be much easier to replace the broken object with a new one, but we are often fond of that dear dish inherited from our grandmother, so much so that we don’t want to part with it.
The solution is at hand: glue repairs ceramics. The market offers different types of products, divided by brand, chemical content and specific use, because it seems that the glues are all the same, but this is not the case.
Let’s see together how to repair a broken ceramic object and which glue to use.
How to repair ceramic
When a ceramic object breaks, the first thing to do is to check the type of break. Two pieces divided in half and coincident can be glued together, more pieces or various splinters become complicated to assemble. In both cases, for household and food uses, the products to be used are two:
- instant cyanoacrylate glue,
- epoxy glue.
For industrial and building uses, on the other hand, the types of glue for ceramics are:
- silicone glue,
- polyurethane glue.
The choice of one of the two depends on how closely the pieces fit together.
Cyanoacrylate glue
Cyanoacrylate glue is also called instant glue. It is transparent and can be used with a dropper, in fact very few are enough to obtain a high yield. Just place it with the spout container on the break, after having thoroughly cleaned the area to be glued, put the two pieces together for a few seconds.
The object repaired with cyanoacrylate glue can be washed in the dishwasher or with the use of detergents without the risk of a second breakage.
To prevent the glue from drying out, once opened, it is advisable to close it well and store it in the refrigerator, paying attention to humidity and bring it back to room temperature before the next use.
Bondic
Bondic is a liquid plastic welder that bonds two items together with the help of a UV light. This helps in repairing things that normal glue cannot. To know more about this super glue, read these experts’s Bondic reviews to learn about this special UV plastic welder.
Epoxy glue
Epoxy glue has a strong bonding power. These are two components, without solvents or water, which, when mixed together, create a mixture capable of bonding any type of material, even when it does not match. The two components are:
- resin
- catalyst
On the market there are both versions of the product to be mixed manually and those already mixed, to be dispensed with a double syringe. It is recommended to use when the object to be repaired is broken in several parts.
Silicone glue
Heat conductive silicone glue is used to repair and cover cracks and crevices in ceramic. It polymerizes overnight, therefore, after gluing the pieces, it is advisable to let it dry at room temperature for 2 or 3 days. It has a strong ability of resistance to high temperatures, is shown for bonding ceramic ovenware that will be used in the oven.
Polyurethane glue
Polyurethane glue is used in construction to assemble ceramic tiles. Fills in cracks and glues in no time. It is solvent based and resists very high temperatures, water, cold and fire. It could be used for any type of ceramic both external and external, thanks to its resistance to atmospheric agents.
Ceramic repair glue: how to use it
After choosing the right glue, the steps to follow to repair the broken ceramic are:
- Clean the surface to be bonded. To remove stubborn stains, acetone can be used
- Dry well
- Check that the pieces to be glued are well joined and that there are no missing splinters
- Pour a few drops of glue
- Combine the pieces
- Hold the pieces firmly for a few seconds
- Allow the object to dry for at least 24 hours
- Check that the repair was successful
- Use the item as if it were new.
Conclusion
Some products on the market are specific for removing glue residues from ceramic tiles or any other repaired object. During the bonding operation, the adhesive may come out creating a visible transparent strip. To eliminate it is sufficient to take a wad of cotton wool soaked in acetone and wipe the glue more. The use of gloves is recommended for any type of operation.