Posted on 07/10/2022 5:16:27 AM PDT by ExGeeEye
I've had these tiny zebras in my* home all my life. I don't know where they came from, or why there are two that are identical.
When my late parents' house was emptied, my sister sent these (and other things) to me. One of the zebras had suffered from a failure in packaging.
I would like to repair it, but fear making a hash of it. At the very least, I would like to know the best adhesive for the purpose, and any recommendations as to method of securing pieces together while an adhesive sets or cures.
Thanks in advance!
*I count the home I left, but frequently visited, once I left the nest.
There are several brands of cyanoacrylate (super glue) available in small bottles with a brush for application. The brush gives better application control than the small spouted bottles.
It sets in very short order.
Glue one section at a time and allow the joint to set before proceeding. Don’t get in a hurry and try to do it all at once. Before application fit the pieces together to have in mind exactly how they fit. Take your time
Beware getting the glue on your fingers. It will glue them together or maybe to the Zebra.
Glue doesn’t stick to clay?
It is neat to have artifacts from your childhood. Once you get that fixed, it would be neat to get the story behind the zebra figurines, if possible. Maybe some relative remembers something, even if you and your sister don’t.
My mother bequeathed my sister and I some things. For example, a cup she used as a child. She wrote a brief note about it on a piece of masking tape and put it in the cup. Otherwise, I would not have known its significance. I mention this because if you want your children or grandchildren to have something, put a note in it so they know something about it. It probably wouldn’t work for something small like those zebra figurines, but I was just thinking how things get passed down and the children might not know any story behind it.
Thanks, I hadn’t thought of that!
Dad was Air Force: it was always us four, no more. Mom was the last of her side of the family, too.
There are stories that will die with me. Such is life.
The repair depends on how you will use the zebra going forward. Will it be supporting a heavy weight or attached to the front end of a farm vehicle? Do you plan on moving the zebra more than twice in a given year? Will it be dropped from heights greater than 40’? Do you plan on putting the zebra in your rear pocket and riding cross country in a Greyhound bus?
Sorry if I was off topic. Your situation reminded me of how my mom put labels or notes on certain items that had a story behind them, so we would know.
I understand. We want some memory or something to live on in this world, but there are limits. Such is life, as you said.
Personally I use quick set (6 minute) JB weld 2 part epoxy on ceramic.
When mixed it’s black and think any exess would blend in nicely with the black stripes.
Apply with a toothpick as not much is needed.
Best suggestion.....patience.
Nope. The really great part is that what little that sticks to your parts can easily be removed with water and a Q-tip. I use this technique to repair all the dropped coffee cups in our house and once to re-join parts of a Roman glass vase I found.
What’s that to the left of the quarter? Some parmesan cheese?
It’s a booger…
DAP Rapid Fuse is a slower curing super glue. It allows you to reposition for about 30’seconds then it sets.
Get the small squeeze tubes instead of the bottle for more precision. There’s also a bottle with a brush.
Lowes and Home Depot has it.
It’s a sad commentary on my life but I have 35 years of adhesive expertise.
Modeling clay as internal support structure is a great idea. Because of the slow set time with rapid fuse, you can also apply a small amount to the clay who I will give more surface area to bond to.
As others have said, use some superglue. Make sure you have some acetone (nail polish remover) on standby if you superglue yourself to something.
I wouldn’t use liquid superglue, because it sets too fast. For similar repairs, I use a clear multi-use glue like Beacon 527. Apply tiny droplets with a toothpick, and don’t try for a continuous bead. Put the drops along the interior edge, so that any squeezed out will be on the inside. Do one break at a time, holding it firmly for a minute or so, then put the piece in a nest of TP or some such so there’s no stress on the repair, and leave it alone for several hours or overnight. Then do the next break.
The advice not to wipe off any excess that might be squeezed out is good. After all of the breaks are glued and completely dried, use an X-Acto knife and gently cut/scrape the excess away. Magnification helps here.
When it’s all done, put the zebras someplace where the cats won’t knock them to the floor, if such a place exists.
If it’s ceramic, the best adhesive would be sodium silicate (water glass).
Water glass is a is a liquid that’s been around for a hundred years, that when it cures turns into clear silica glass. It used to be available anywhere, but now you can just buy it online. It’s used for sealing pottery and concrete and even radiators. Back in the day, it was used to seal eggs to keep them from spoiling. It’s also used with sand to make moulds for metal castings.
Since it’s clear glass, it rejoins the ceramic invisibly. (if the glaze is chipped, it wont hide that since it is clear)
Take them to an expert - don’t try to repair them yourselves.
My husband broke a Llardo figurine that was given to me as a wedding gift - one of the heads was completely smashed.
My mother found someone to repair it - and it looks like new.
Another thing broken under Biden’s reign
Duct tape- fixes everything.
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