It may appear logical to repair broken glass by melting it back together.
However, believe it or not, heating and re-melting glass are extremely difficult, if not impossible.
For this type of repair, there are far too many complicated technical challenges.
Contents
Is It Worthwhile to Repair It?
Understanding how much your broken glass is worth to you is probably the most important question to address.
- Is the art glass that has broken expensive or valuable?
- Is it a family heirloom or something special to you?
- Is it possible to replace it?
Repairs that appear to be simple can be costly when done by a professional.
There are, however, many places that specialize in antique and hand-blown art glass repair.
Doing Your Glass Repair
You’re not going to make it worse because it’s already broken. It is possible to simply replace the glass.
A simple glass repair with little value is worth a shot. There are numerous resources on the internet that can assist you with simple glass repairs.
With a little forethought and the right tools, you can achieve your goals.
Craft-art glass gluing guide provides some helpful hints to make the job go a little smoother.
Broken glass is inconvenient, but it is often repairable.
Remove the old broken glass from a broken window and replace it with a new windowpane.
You might be able to glue broken glassware, such as a wine glass or a vase, back together.
Items That Have Been Shattered Should Be Discarded.
It’ll be difficult to glue your glass back together if it’s broken into a bunch of small pieces. It’s worth a shot if the glass is broken into a few large pieces.
If the pieces are particularly small, vacuum them up and wipe away any remaining glass dust with a damp rag.
When picking up the large glass shards, use gloves. If there is shattered glass on the floor, wear shoes to protect your feet while cleaning up the pieces.
The Glass Pieces Should Be Cleaned and Dried.
Dishwashing detergent and water are used to clean the glass pieces, which are then dried with a clean cloth.
If the glass is dirty or oily, it will not stick together as well. If you have one, you can also use it to clean your windows.
Get a Glue That’s Made for Glass.
You may require a different type of glue depending on the type of glassware.
Make sure you get a glue that meets your specific requirements, such as heat resistance, dishwasher safety, or waterproofness.
Glass glues can be found at a hardware store, an art store, or online. Glass-specific glues are available from several well-known glue brands.
Aquarium glues are strong but toxic. Clear glass works well with UV resins, but they must cure in the sun or under UV light.
One of the Broken Edges Should Be Glued and Lined Up With Another Edge.
When gluing the glass, wear gloves. Glue one entire broken edge with a thin line of glue.
Align it with the other broken edge so that the two pieces fit together like a puzzle.
If your glassware has broken into several pieces, glue only two pieces together at a time.
For more specific instructions, read the directions on the back of your glue.
For at Least a Minute, Hold the Glass Pieces Together.
Once again, double-check that the pieces are properly aligned, and gently press down on the glass while holding the two broken pieces together.
Check the instructions on your glue to see if you need to hold it for longer.
If you don’t apply enough pressure, the glue may not be able to bond the two pieces of glass together.
Carry on With the Process if There Are Any More Broken Pieces.
You’ll have to glue each piece separately if your glass broke into multiple pieces.
Carefully assemble one piece at a time until the entire object is complete. Each time you add a new piece, be patient and apply pressure for at least a minute.
Allow the Glue to Cure for the Amount of Time Specified on the Package.
To determine how long the glue needs to be set, consult the manufacturer’s instructions. Some take as little as 5 minutes to bond, while others take up to a week. UV resins must be dried in the sun or under UV light.
Final Suggestions
- If you have the option, the best time to install windows is when it is sunny. But don’t wait for the sun to come out if you have a gaping hole in your window in the dead of winter.
- You can remove the extra lines of glue with acetone nail polish remover and a cotton swab if you don’t like them after your glassware has dried.
- Even if the glue says it’s dishwasher safe, you might want to hand-wash your glass item just to be safe.