Fixing a Damaged Ceramic Vase

Whether your favorite ceramic vase has cracked under the pressure of everyday wear and tear or has had a run in with your neighbor's particularly excitable child you will want to choose the best way to fix your vase. Options for fixing your ceramic vase include spending an exorbitant amount of money to send it away to a foreign specialist or fixing it at home for a fraction of the price.

If you choose to send the vase away, find an outside source that can confirm the validity and reputation of the restoration company you have chosen. If you choose to do the restoration work yourself, you will need just a few simple tools.

Before you can begin your project, you will need to take a quick trip to your local craft store and local hardware store. At the craft store, you will want to pick up some clay shaping tools (a basic kit will be fine) as well as clear sealer paint and potentially a paint color that closely matches your vase (you may even want to repaint the entire vase). At the hardware store, you will need to pick up wall putty and some sponges.

Now that you have your tools, it is time to begin your project. No matter what type of damage your vase has sustained, you will want to carefully sponge away dirt or dust from the "wound" with slightly warm water prior to applying any materials to it. After you have sponged away any impurities you can begin to assess the damage. If a large chunk has been taken from the side of the vase you will want to use the putty and clay tools to fill in the small crater. If the damage is a large crack, you will want to fill in putty between the edges.

When filling in the damaged area with putty, you will want to carefully smooth it so that when you carefully run your hand across the putty and ceramic ware you will not notice a huge difference. Once your putty has dried, you will want to paint your ceramic piece. Sometimes ceramics require double or even triple coats of paint for the best outcome. Follow your last coat of paint with a clear sealer and you are done!

If your vase is decorative and not functional you will not need to worry about its ability to retain water but if it used to hold flowers you will want to test its integrity. You may need to apply putty and sealer on the inside of your vase as well.