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Because an exact fit is essential in mending glass, porcelain, and china, you need time to adjust the pieces precisely before the glue sets. Instantaneous adhesives are therefore not recommended-they will set too quickly. A clear epoxy is generally effective. It is waterproof, provides a strong bond, and has good gap-filling properties.
Before gluing, thoroughly clean and dry the broken surfaces. Assemble the pieces dry and note how they fit. Then, apply a light coat of glue along one edge of the break with a matchstick or small spatula. Join the pieces and wipe off the excess glue with a cotton swab dipped in the appropriate solvent. The less glue used the better. A thin film will usually do. Remember that glue itself takes up space. If you mend an item shattered into many pieces, thick glue joints will deform the restored piece.
Next, clamp and support the glued piece either by using one of the methods shown at right, or one of your own invention. As you put clamping pressure on the piece and adjust its alignment, you may force more glue out of the joints. Again, wipe away any excess, using a solvent.
It is probable that more glue will ooze from cracks as the piece sets. All glue passes through a stage where they are strong enough to hold the piece together, though not completely hardened. This stage will vary depending on the setting and curing time of the glue you use.
During this stage the glue is still soft enough to be removed with a solvent, and you should make a final removal of excess glue before it completely cures. When mending objects with many breaks, glue the pieces one or two at a time. Study the pieces and put them together dry to determine the most sensible order of assembly, then glue them in this order.
Devising supports often requires ingenuity. Plasticine is helpful, a malleable, plastic substance, it holds any shape you give it. Molds and masking tape are also helpful. You can easily fashion a homemade mold, using either wax or plaster. Molds are helpful in reassembling many small pieces, they hold them in place while the glue dries.
You can make supports for a broken plate, to use while the plate is drying. Drive nails in a circle slightly larger than radius of plate. Stretch rubber bands over plate to create clamping pressure while the plate is drying.
Anchor the larger piece of the plate in a basin filled with dirt or sand. Use clothes pins to clamp the pieces. You can also use a drawer to hold the plate immobile if you buffer the points of contact with lumps of plasticine.
You can also melt wax and poor it around the broken piece, so that it hardens and holds the piece still until dryed. Then remove the wax when the glue is set. A glued cup handle can be held firmly in position by vertical and horizontal strips of masking tape encircling the cup. Remove the tape when the cup has had time to dry thoroughly.
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