Repair, don’t replace

Pottery glue: From despair to repair

Taken a sizeable chip out of a much-loved item of household pottery? Don’t despair – with right glue you can repair and restore your pottery piece in just a few simple steps.

What is pottery glue used for?

Pottery is versatile, and beautiful to admire. But this material comes with one major downside: it’s easily breakable. No matter how careful we are and how many precautions we may take, it only takes one small slip for your beloved vase or fruit bowl to end up sporting a chip.

Whether the item was an expensive purchase or something you picked up on vacation, replacing it can either be costly or impossible. This is where pottery glue comes to the rescue. Thanks to their state-of-the-art formulas and innovative applicators, the best glues for pottery are so good at repairs, that broken objects look virtually brand new.

How to use glue to repair pottery

Accidents can – and will – happen. But it’s not the end of the world. With the best glue for pottery, it’s much easier to repair than replace. To revive any broken item, simply follow these steps:

  1. Clean. To achieve the strongest bond with the glue you are using on pottery, first clean any dust and debris off from the broken pieces. Dishwashing soap and hot water are fine, but be sure to rinse away any soapy residue and ensure all pieces are thoroughly dry before beginning.
  2. Plan. Lay out all the pieces on a clean surface and dry-fit them together in a trial run, so you know exactly where each piece goes when it comes to gluing them all together.
  3. Glue. Apply a small amount of glue to the edge of one of the pieces of pottery and, applying light pressure, join it to the edge of the other piece it fits to for a minute or two, while the bond forms. 
  4. Remove. If any excess glue residue has seeped from the joints once it is dry, gently scrape off with a sharp knife or razor blade. Alternatively, soak a cotton pad or ball in acetone or nail polish remover and press it against the glue for a few minutes. This will soften the bond and make it easier to scrape off.

If you need to glue more than one piece, allow each joint to completely dry before adding the next piece. For best results, once all the pieces are in place, leave the item overnight.

Choose the best glue for broken pottery

You only want to use the best glue for pottery on items with sentimental value, and on pieces you see every day. Try using Loctite Super Glue Gel Control, the gel formula works on a variety of porous and non-porous surfaces, dries clear, and sets without clamping. Its patented side-squeeze design makes it ideal for vertical applications, giving you maximum control.

For items of pottery that see tougher usage, like outdoor flowerpots, Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control is the go-to adhesive. This specially formulated glue resists impact shock, vibration and temperature extremes. It also allows for more time to align pieces before the glue takes hold.

For a comprehensive range of solutions for all your adhesive and repair requirements,

check out Loctite’s entire range of super glues.
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