Cracked pot repair

Hi all,

I have a Chinese pot - probably about 20 years old (I guess). It is made from a light coloured clay and has a green glaze. It has a crack from the top lip down one of the sides, and I'm wondering if there is a way to repair or strengthen the crack. I do like the pot a lot, and would like to keep something in it. A bit of warmed liquid epoxy to be absorbed into the crack perhaps? Any ideas or tricks that y'all could offer? If it sounds like there's any hope, I'll pop in a photo of it.

Thanks,

Andrew

If it's available in South Africa, I'd try Gorilla Glue. It has similar strength to the two-part epoxy glues but is so much easier to use.

I also recommend Milliput if the crack is wide enough to insert it, but again, I don't know if that's easily available to you.

Thanks mate - sounds like there's hope - I'll take a pic tonight and drop it in the thread.

Cheers,

Andrew

Andrew,
The answer is entirely dependent on how much the pot is worth, to YOU. There is a centuries old Japanese method of using laquer dusted with gold(Au) for repairs, and for thread cracks I've also seen 24 ct hammered in(delicate). Gorilla glue, crazy glue, and epoxy all will repair the fissure, but all will also be quite noticible. Is this something valuable you want to show in or just something you want to keep around.
Ryan
Http://JapaneseBonsaiPots.net

Thanks Ryan,

Pots available here in South Africa without going over the top in terms of price and getting them here are mostly what would be considered low to mid quality and Chinese in origin. In the days of yore some of the old guard imported Japanese pots. There are a few good ones, and most of them are the mass produced mid-range stuff (I think). They are now harder to come by here. I'll drop in a photo of the pot I'm talking about tonight. I don't think it's anything particularly special, but it is a bit unique locally, so worht having on my bench. I don;t show my trees much, so my pots and collection is more for my own edification.

Cheers,

Andrew

Ryan B wrote: There is a centuries old Japanese method of using laquer dusted with gold(Au) for repairs, and for thread cracks I've also seen 24 ct hammered in(delicate).

Gastro-Ryan,

Good advice as always. For you and all put this in your toolbox of tricks, for top notch pot repairs...

http://www.mejiro-japan.com/product/kintsugi-repair-kit

Andrew,
good luck with your pot.

Good growing ,
Big Dave

I use a line of Super Glue along the crack, then repeat a few times. It is shiny and visible, but a Dremel and wire brush used lightly will cover that somewhat.

Whatever you do, I suggest the pot not be used where it is likely to freeze. Perhaps a tropical tree would do well in it?

Thanks all, here's the victim!



Cheers,

Andrew

. . . . and here's the crack . . .