Fixing Cracks in Clay Handles
Clay handles can be tricky to dry properly. They can quite often crack at the joint as your pottery dries out. Or, even if they are attached well, they might crack in the middle of the handle splitting it into two parts.
But what can you do if your handle has cracked before it is fired? Do you always have to put your pottery in the reclaim bucket? Not always. There are ways to rescue cracked handles. Here are 5 of the best.
Fix 1: Vinegar Slurry
Take a small amount of bone dry clay. The amount of clay you need will depend on the size of the crack. But normally about 100g will be enough. You can always keep whatever is left over in a sealed jar for future use.
Mix some vinegar with the clay until toothpaste consistency. Vinegar is a flocculant, which means that it causes the clay particles to attract one another. It is often used to thicken clay slurries.
Before applying the paste to the cracked joint, dab some vinegar on the joint with a sponge or a soft brush. When the two surfaces are damp gently work the paste into the crack with a modelling tool. Once you have worked the clay paste in, smooth the surface with your finger.
The crack may re-open a little as it dries. Simply repeat the process again refilling the crack. You may have to repeat the process 3 or 4 times.
Fix 2: A Damp Box
Another way to approach fixing handles is to rehydrate your greenware. One of the best ways of rehydrating pots and mugs evenly is by using a damp box.
A damp box is any sealed container that traps moisture in the atmosphere to keep the air humid.
You can make a damp box very easily. Simply pour a couple of inches of wet plaster mix into a plastic storage box. When the plaster has set, you keep it moist by adding water. Place your greenware on the plaster and put an airtight lid on the container.
There needs to be enough water on the plaster to make it moist. But not so much that the greenware is sitting in a puddle. The water in the plaster will keep the atmosphere in the container damp. And it will rehydrate dry clay over a number of days.
Once the cracked piece has been rehydrated, you can re-attach the handle using slip as usual.
Fix 3: Re-Wetting the Mug and Handle
Another way to rehydrate greenware is to wrap it in a moist cloth and cover it in a plastic bag. It’s best if the cloth is lightweight and untextured. This reduces the chance of getting an impression of the fabric on the pottery.
Alternatively, you can wrap your pot in damp paper towels. However, you need to make sure the paper towels don’t dry out. If they dry out they can dry your mug out even more.
Once the clay is workable again and has an even moisture level, you can slip and score the cracked handle. And then reattach it to the body of the mug.
Fix 4: Spooze ( See last month’s Tips for the recipe )
Spooze has a thick paste-like slurry consistency. It creates hard bonds between cracks in dry clay. In addition to being good for fixing small cracks, it can be used to build up a thick layer to fill wider gaps.
To use the Spooze mixture, moisten the two surfaces that you want to join with vinegar. Then paste a bit of the Spooze onto either surface and press them together. Hold for half a minute and then let the join dry.
After the joint has dried you may need to sand off any Spooze that has squelched out of the join.
Fix 5: Off the Shelf Products
Mayco’s AC-306 Clay Mender - simply apply a little to the two surfaces to be joined. Then score the moistened surfaces. Then apply another generous layer of the clay mender. Press the two surfaces together and hold them for about 20 seconds. Once the join has dried, you can sand away the excess that has squished out of the join.
Apt II - Porcelain/Stoneware Enhancer is used to thicken all brands of slip and clay bodies. It adheres to greenware, bisque, and glaze-fired surfaces. For wet, dry, or stress-cracked greenware, apply Apt II and press pieces together to bond, then clean the excess and let dry. Fire normally.
