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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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