The Best Glue for Repairing Ceramics and Pottery
Everyone has their favorite mug or special piece of pottery. I made nearly all of the mugs in our house, but even I play favorites. There is nothing worse than the day that you accidentally break the handle off of your prized mug in the dishwasher or chip your most beloved tea cup. When breakage happens, the solution seems simple enough. Grab some super glue and go to work!
Making ceramic repairs is a little more complex than using any on hand super glues and some good luck. It is even more challenging when the broken ceramic items are functional in nature, meaning that they are used regularly and not just decorative. Not all glues are created equal when it comes to fixing pottery, and the best glue for the job will vary case by case. Don’t fret- this guide will help you figure out the best glue to fix your favorite pots!
The Type of Breakage Matters
When repairing your ceramic objects, it’s important to consider what type of breakage you’re dealing with in order to choose the right adhesive. Is your pottery missing a handle? Does your favorite plate have a chip in it? Are you repairing a knick in ceramic tiles on your kitchen floor? While these questions may seem irrelevant, I can assure you that the breakage type and breakage point matter!
Making Repairs to Decorative Ceramic Items
If your broken item is of a decorative nature, then you have multiple options on what adhesive will work best for your ceramic repair. Decorative items are not necessarily designed for durability. They are usually wall decor, vases, or other ceramic items that are not heavily handled or used for food and drink. That being said, you do want your ceramic pieces to last! There are several ceramic adhesives that will give your non-functional ceramics a long-lasting repair.
For many crafters and DIY enthusiasts, hot glue or craft adhesive are probably the first adhesives that come to mind. Many people have these adhesives on hand but they are definitely not the best choice for fixing broken pieces of pottery, not even for decorative use. Hot glue does not have the bite force necessary to get a good hold on ceramics. It will simply peel off of the surface with very minimal effort. General purpose craft adhesive, although it may be tacky, doesn’t have the longevity and will not give you the permanent bond you are looking for.
When it comes to decorative pieces that are in need of repair, gorilla glue MIGHT do the trick. It is a good choice and sets fairly quickly-in under a minute. You most likely won’t need any clamps or rubber bands to hold things in place while it cures. This is a clear gel formula and you can paint over any showing repairs with acrylic paint with ease. Gorilla super glue is a great option for decorative pieces and should give you a strong bond.E6000 adhesive is another great option for repairing nonfunctional pottery. However, gorilla glue isn’t ideal for heavily used pieces.
Repairing Functional Pottery
Functional ceramic pieces are those with a purpose other than to sit still and look pretty. These pottery pieces are items like ceramic coffee mugs, pitchers, plates, bowls, etc. Repairing pottery with a purpose can make ceramic repairs a little trickier. This type of bond needs to be super strong and you’re going to need a serious adhesive.
Super glues or even gorilla glue are not ideal for this time of repair because these are pieces that are used repeatedly. Over time, those bonds between the broken pieces and super glue would wear down and the broken pieces would fall off again. If you have a mug or pitcher with a broken handle, you want a glue that is pretty much fail safe.
The most durable bond that you can find between broken pieces of pottery, besides glaze itself, is a 2-part epoxy. You want to find an epoxy that sets quickly and dries clear like this one from the makers of gorilla glue. JB weld also makes a great 2-part epoxy. Minute epoxy is a good choice if you don’t want to clamp things together or use rubber bands. This is the best adhesive for broken ceramic items and other porous surfaces.
You have to make sure to mix the correct ratios of each epoxy component together according to instructions. A ratio that is incorrect, or an incorrect mixing method may keep the epoxy from curing and you’ll be left with a sticky mess. A correctly mixed epoxy will harden with incredible strength, excellent adhesion, and should help restore your broken ceramic items to working order.
Food Safety in Ceramic Repairs
It is of the utmost importance to consider food safely when making your ceramic repairs. When broken pottery that is used for food or drink is repaired with an adhesive, IT IS NO LONGER FOOD SAFE. This means that it isn’t safe to put your food on the glued surface and then consume it. While it may seem harmless to put your sliced orange on a glued plate or pour your hot coffee into a repaired mug, it simply isn’t the case. Chemicals from the adhesive or epoxy may leach into your food which will be ingested by you! No one wants to eat chemicals so it’s best to make sure that repaired ceramic pieces don’t come into direct contact with food or drink.
There is a loophole with drinking from repaired ceramics if you simple repaired a mug or handle. Handles do not touch the food or drink so that would be a safe ceramic to use for food or drink- but make sure there is a strong bond between broken pieces or you’ll be wearing hot coffee in your lap!
Nothing Is As Good As Solid Ceramics
While glues and epoxies may repair your broken pottery, there is nothing stronger than solid ceramic or ceramics fused together with ceramic glazes. Are you a potter with access to a kiln? Make sure that you know the correct cone to refire your broken pottery and glaze to, and try repairing with glaze in a kiln. Sometimes this works, depending on the breakage point. Other times, it is simply best to say goodbye to our beloved ceramics or repurpose them somehow. Always use caution and safe practices when operating your kiln.
Beauty in the broken pieces
It’s never fun when a piece of your favorite pottery breaks. Life happens though and so do broken ceramics. There are many instances where the pottery can be repaired and other times when it’s best to chunk it. Ceramic items used for decoration, in most cases, are the simplest items to repair. You have more options on suitable adhesives and there is no need to worry with food safety.
Functional pottery breakage, while a little tricker to repair, is possible as well. Make sure to grab an epoxy and mix correctly! You should end up with a restored piece that is as good as new. Use your judgement when determining if it is safe for food use and enjoy! I hope this guide has helped you fix your favorite pieces. A lot can be done with a little elbow grease, a little bit of patience, and some glue! If you aren’t happy with your repair, try repurposing your broken pottery into something else! There is beauty in reinvention and using what you have! We are all made of broken pieces and still God can use us for His good.
Happy gluing!
