To repair a piece of china that has been cracked through and through,
use “cement to be fired,” mixed with water, until nearly liquid. Apply
it to the crack repeatedly, so as to let the china absorb as much of it
as possible; then wipe away all the surplus, and fire. This cement
contains quite a good deal of flux, and will affect any color covered
with it. It will always prove satisfactory when applied nowhere except
just inside of the cracks.
If the article to be repaired is broken into many pieces, tie them
together with asbestos cord before applying the cement to be fired, and
fire with the asbestos. Asbestos will not leave a mark on hard china,
and only a slight one on Belleek ware; but even this can be prevented
by firing very lightly, and the cement will be quite as effective.
It must be remembered that this cement has no body and will do nothing
toward filling in a space; it melts completely and holds the pieces
together. If the crack is wide, apply the cement first, as explained
before; let it dry, and then fill in the crack with enamel mixed with
either oil or water.
To imitate the color of the decoration through which the crack comes,
add a bit of the desired color to the enamel, being careful to remember
that tinted enamels are rather darker after firing than before.
Fill in a nick with enamel mixed with one-tenth of flux. After this is
fired, it may be covered with paste and gold, and the fault will be
completely obliterated.
By mixing one part of flux to nine parts of very finely grated china, a
good filling will be produced for large cracks, or for places from
which small pieces of china are missing. It must be very carefully
applied, and dried before firing.
Paste and gold work will cover up cracks very nicely.
Unless the china is actually apart, the cement need be applied to only
one side.
For a cracked vase, apply the cement by letting it run along the inside
of it only, but on a platter, apply it on the outside, or, if desired,
on both sides.
Black spots and pin holes can be filled in with enamel.
China can also be repaired by using a cold cement, which should not be
fired. Apply the cement with a stick, on the edges of both pieces, and
put them together very carefully. Set the china aside, so that it will
remain undisturbed until dry. If there are many pieces, join two or
three, and let them dry, and gradually add on the others until the
article is complete. Allow two days for an ordinary good drying,
without artificial means, before handling.
A strong cold cement is made by mixing two parts of cheese to one part
of powdered lime, adding water until the mixture is of a semi-liquid
consistency. Mix and grind it with a knife until it has become tacky.
Apply this to the edge of the china, and join the pieces carefully,
allowing one day for it to dry.
Many large crockery houses use this cement exclusively, and find it
very satisfactory.
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