Ceramic glue is a powerful adhesive that can repair cracked or broken ceramic dishes, fixtures, ornaments, mugs, antiques– you name it. Ceramic glues have a long shelf life and, when applied properly, can make your ceramics work and even look like new. Ceramics can be precious valuables or economic household solutions, but either way, nobody wants to pay to replace them. Instead, get your hands a little dirty and try busting out the old ceramic glue.
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Different Types of Ceramic Glue
Depending on your repair needs, you might want one of a few different ceramic types of glue. Primarily, you’ll see super glue products and epoxies for sale. Before you dive into your ceramic repair project, make sure you know which type of ceramic glue is the best choice.
Super Glue
Super glue is available in many shapes and sizes as they’re ultimately the more well-known household adhesive of the two. Super glue is made from an ultra-strong compound that solidifies as it reacts to the humidity in the environment. It’s generally easier to use as it dries quickly and is made for everyday household needs.
Superglue is the way to go if you want a quick and easy fix. It’s particularly good for decorative pieces or other ceramic items that you don’t handle regularly. Overall, super glue isn’t quite as strong as epoxy, so you won’t want to use it for the most heavy-duty repairs.
Epoxy
Epoxy is a glue made out of a resin and hardener material. Typically, you have to purchase each compound separately and mix them together, as an epoxy by its very nature will dry quickly and irreversibly. However, unlike superglues, they have to be left to cure and dry for as long as 24-48 hours depending on the job.
Epoxies are used in many waterproof products, and so an epoxy resin is a perfect adhesive for your dishware or other ceramic vessels for liquid. Many epoxy ceramic types of glue are food safe so that you can easily save your busted dinnerware and use it for many more years. Epoxies are typically more translucent and thus a little bit less attractive, but for functional repairs that will last, they’re your best bet.
How to Fix Broken Ceramics
With enough care and attention, you can repair even shattered ceramics if the pieces are still sturdy and intact. However, you want to make sure you find each and every piece. Always handle broken ceramics with care. Broken ceramic even more than other materials can have extremely sharp edges. You may want to work with thick gloves and self-gripping tweezers, particularly for handling smaller pieces that are harder to handle and maneuver.
Choose the adhesive for your job. If you’ve read this far, you should have some idea of what kind you want to use. We’ll also offer our recommendation.
After collecting the broken pieces, rearrange them as they ought to fit together. If you have the materials, you should try to sandblast the pieces to repair surface damage. At the very least, you’ll want to clean the surface of any dust and grease before applying your adhesive.
If you need to mix your adhesive, now’s the time. Read the instructions on the label. Oftentimes, you won’t have very long before an epoxy begins to harden, so it’s important that you understand what you’re doing from start to finish before you actually begin.
With your tweezers, pick up each piece and apply the adhesive around the edges with a swap, stick, or applicator. Connect each piece together using gentle pressure. You’ll have to the workpiece by piece and allow each to fasten firmly to the other in order.
Which Ceramic Glue is Best for My Project?
Gorilla Glue
The household favorite in superglue, Gorilla Glue is a super strong transparent ceramic glue that’s highly resistant to water and high temperatures. Not only is it great for ceramics, but you can even use it on wood, metal, stone, and glass. Note: avoid use on polyethylene and propylene plastics.
Gorilla Glue is easy to use and is extremely subtle. However, it’s not as fast-acting as other super glues. You’ll need to keep pieces held together for 2 hours’ setting time to ensure they join firmly.
Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy
A popular among professionals, Devcon is one of the strongest epoxies you can buy. Boasting up to 600% more bonding power than the other guy, Devcon also dries in as little as 5 seconds. This does mean that it’s a little tougher to work with, but it’s also tougher than any other epoxy that you’ll find.
Devcon is waterproof and chemical resistant making it perfect for a variety of projects even beyond ceramics. Just like Gorilla Glue, you can use it on wood, concrete, glass, metal, and more.
