Repairing Antique Glass
by Bob Brooke

Everyone has experienced the heart-stopping moment when glass breaks. Maybe it’s a favorite glass that gets knocked off the table or an antique vase that’s been in the family for years. Until recently, there wasn’t anything to be done to repair these broken items. But thanks to modern adhesive technology, it’s possible to repair some glass pieces, whether it’s done by an ordinary person or a professional glass restorer.

Whether it’s an inherited a treasured family heirloom with some cracks, a piece of damaged glass, or a broken antique vase, today damage doesn't always mean the end for glassware. With antique glass, it’s especially important to check out repair costs. But before that, it’s important to assess the damage.

Take some time to examine the piece, noting anything that might be wrong. Breakage isn't the only damage that can occur with antique or vintage glass. Probably the most common damage to glass is the chip, followed by the crack, a fracture that goes through all or part of the glass, but doesn't cause it to break into pieces. Another form of damage is the scratch, a form of surface damage caused by rubbing against other surfaces.

One of the more severe forms of damage is the clean break, a smooth fracture that breaks items into in two or three pieces. But the most severe form is the shatter, when an item breaks into many small pieces.

A lesser form of damage is discoloration, when glass becomes stained or faded in spots, often from water or chemicals. Sometimes glass becomes clouded by a white film or damaged by detergents or chemicals. Known as “sick” glass, it can also include tiny fissures in everyday vintage glass decanters.

Decide Whether It's Worth Repairing
Once a glass piece breaks, even in two pieces, its monetary value is often lost. However, that doesn't mean it's a total loss. Investigate how restoration can affect the value of your antique or collectible. Also, consider the meaning of a piece beyond its value, restored or not.

To get an idea of the value of a damaged piece, look for similar items on the Internet. To do so, do an image search on Google. After typing in the type of piece in the search bar, click on Images in the upper left of the results screen. When the same or similar piece appears in the image results, clicking on it will enlarge it and clicking on it will take the searcher to the website where the image appears. Searching auction and by-it-now sites may also yield some results.

But value shouldn’t be the only reason to repair a piece of antique or vintage glass. Glass family heirlooms may be worth repairing, especially pieces that have been in a family for a long time.

For a particularly valuable piece or a cherished family heirloom, seeking the advice of a professional restorer may be a wise move. A restorer is highly trained and skilled who is experienced worRepairing Old Damaged Glassking with various materials and tools, plus has knowledge of historical types of glass nd designers.

Choosing an Adhesive
For less valuable pieces, home repair may be the answer. Products like Loctite glass glue for repairing breaks and Gordon Glass cerium oxide for polishing scratches can be found at hardware stores or online.

Instructions vary, depending on the type of damage you're dealing with. Check manufacturer's website for tutorials before attempting a do-it-yourself glass repair project.

Today, there are glues especially made for repairing glass. Clear Gorilla Glue is an incredibly strong, versatile, crystal clear adhesive. It can be used for general projects and repairs, and is the ideal solution for bonding glass or other transparent materials.

Loctite Glass Glue is the only patented super glue specially formulated for bonding glass. Forming fast and durable joints, the bond is water resistant to stand up to everyday use. Loctite Glass Glue dries clear, sets without clamping and is dishwasher safe.

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