 |
Many people assume that a piece with a “clean break” will look flawless once it’s simply glued back together. In practice, however, the thin layer of adhesive slightly widens the break, creating visible dark lines.
|
To create a truly invisible repair, we follow a detailed multi-step process:
Filling and sanding
After cementing the broken pieces together, any remaining gaps or uneven seams are filled with a fine filler epoxy. Once cured, the area is sanded smooth and flush with the surrounding surface. The repair is inspected under black light, revealing imperfections invisible under normal lighting. If needed, a second filler layer is applied and sanded to ensure perfect continuity. Cemending & Sanding Lesson
Airbrushing the base color
A custom-mixed background color is airbrushed over the repaired areas to conceal the filler, blend with the original glaze or paint, and restore any surface that may have been damaged during sanding. This step ensures a consistent and continuous background color across the entire area. See painting lesson
Restoring surface details
Any decorative elements lost in the break, damaged during sanding, or covered by the background coloring used to conceal the filled areas (such as painted designs, textures, or gilding) are carefully recreated by hand using paintbrushes and/or airbrushing techniques. The more intricate the original decoration, the more time and precision this step requires.
Applying the glaze finish
Once all painted areas are fully cured, a cold glaze with the matched sheen is applied to match the surrounding surface. This final layer enhances the seamless look and helps protect the restored area.
By combining careful structural work with precision painting and finishing, we are able to make repair lines virtually invisible, even under close inspection.
Complete Pottery Repair Quick Video
Brief overview of the repair process. For the detailed 22-minute tutorial
The Key to Proper Repair: Two Examples
Case 1: Hiding Repair Lines With Simple Glaze
When break lines avoid intricate painted details, a repair can be completed more quickly and cost-effectively by applying a simple glaze to conceal seams.
Case 2: Hiding Break Lines With Painted Glaze Details
When break lines pass through complex decoration, careful hand-painting and multiple glazing layers are required to restore the design seamlessly. This significantly increases the time and cost involved.
