Help with cracked teapot!

Underwater Ophelia · 05-05-2008, 08:16 AM

I have a beautiful handmade teapot, but of course, I have discovered a pinhole in the bottom, which leaks.

Is it safe to put clear nailpolish over it to repair it, or will the hot water combine with it and make it unsafe?

PhenomenalTranquility · 05-05-2008, 08:18 AM

Oh my! perhaps you can post a picture?

I've had a similiar problem, I've used nailpolish and it seems to work fine!

DeathToLems · 05-05-2008, 08:19 AM

So you are actually using it then?
I don't think I would use it after repairing it.
But I guess superglue or nail varnish would work. But it could wear away after washing etc.

Underwater Ophelia · 05-05-2008, 08:25 AM

I can't post a picture, but it's just a tiny crack in the bottom, so small it looks like a hole, rather than an actual crack.

I do want to use it after I repair it, but I don't care if the polish wears away after washing. I'm just concerned about the safety. I don't want the heat to cause the nailpolish to breakdown and poison the tea.

honeythorn · 05-05-2008, 08:26 AM

You could buy some FIMO clay to plug the hole, and get ceramic sealant to apply to the outside?

DeathToLems · 05-05-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underwater Ophelia

I can't post a picture, but it's just a tiny crack in the bottom, so small it looks like a hole, rather than an actual crack.

I do want to use it after I repair it, but I don't care if the polish wears away after washing. I'm just concerned about the safety. I don't want the heat to cause the nailpolish to breakdown and poison the tea.

Hmm. i guess youll just have to test it. Make sure the varnish dries before using it though.

KontanKarite · 05-05-2008, 03:54 PM

Listen to Honeythorn. I was thinking of you doing the same thing. Plugging the hole with clay or some kind of epoxy.

korinna5555 · 05-05-2008, 05:37 PM

I would use hot glue.

honeythorn · 05-06-2008, 05:35 AM

Yeah FIMO is pretty inert so it should be safe. Just wodge it into the crack/hole and if its safe to do so, pop the teapot in the oven on the temp shown on the FIMO packaging, since it's a clay you need to bake. Once it's dry/baked just seal the bugger over and it should, theoretically be ok. It comes in colours as well so you might be able to find one that matches ( and you can always blend some colours to get it close enough if the area isn't white ).

Or make a plug of clay the right size and shape, bake it, and then seal it in with the ceramic sealer.

emeraldlonewoulf · 05-06-2008, 07:36 PM

does fimo expand or contract at all while baking?

Opteron_Man · 05-07-2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by korinna5555

I would use hot glue.

Hot glue would work, I really don't think that a hot glue gun can get as hot as boiled water. That glue should hold up.

honeythorn · 05-07-2008, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emeraldlonewoulf

does fimo expand or contract at all while baking?

No. It stays the same. I've just posted a pic of my little FIMO zeppelin in Fashion. That's the size I made it and that's the size it's stayed. You can even get it glittery and in glow in the dark! * is getting some *.

emeraldlonewoulf · 05-08-2008, 07:19 PM

I've used Sculpey before, and have used FIMO clay, but it has been YEARS! I''d forgotten characteristics of the material.

honeythorn · 05-09-2008, 06:16 AM

You can't get sculpey here

I've seen some amazing things made from it and I really want some! I have finally managed to set up a debit card now, so as soon as I'm back at work ( laid off AGAIN ) I'll be able to order some online! Yay

emeraldlonewoulf · 05-09-2008, 08:28 PM

good grief girl!! you should set up an online store for your stuff, you could make bank from what you design. Etsy could be a start, ( hint hint >

)

Anyway, have you heard anything about, or worked with, metal clay? I've read about it but have yet to try using it. I am into metalwork as well as other arts/crafts, so the joining of the two seems pretty cool.

CptSternn · 05-10-2008, 12:56 AM

Yer local hardware shop should have an epoxy made for the exact job. They make an epoxy for ceramic/porcelain thats safe for food containers. I have used it before on a job similar.

honeythorn · 05-10-2008, 04:01 AM

I'VE CRACKED IT! ( no pun intended....well slightly ) MILLIPUT. I bought some the other day to see if it was any better than FIMO ( it isn't ) but I noticed they do several grades/colours of it, including superfine white, which is perfect for porcelain. You get two sticks of the stuff, and you just cut off equal amounts and knead them together. You don't need to bake it , just leave it overnight. According to the box you can drill and saw it when it's cured so I'd say it would be suitable! This might be the stuff Sternn is on about, or similar.

It's shit for modelling though people.

Emerald...I've seen the stuff on etsy, what I make is a joke compared to the things on there. I have been respectively dribbling at some of the stuff ( victorian collars/capelets and corsets for starters..).

Chazz · 05-10-2008, 04:32 AM

If you can get your hands on a small amount, try purple clay, extremely sturdy and looks very nice too.

It is relatively rare though and can cost quite a bit.

Raptor · 05-10-2008, 06:29 AM

Yeh with epoxy you usually mix resin with a hardener equally so that probably is what you bought. Is it ok to use though? I used to have some epoxy putty and I'm pretty sure it was toxic. It wasn't Milliput though.

honeythorn · 05-10-2008, 08:51 AM

Well according to the leaflet inside, you can definitely use Milliput for ceramics ( the superfine white grade anyway ) It say's you can use it for aquarium reefs ( attaching hard corals to each other I presume ) , and if that's true then I would assume it isn't toxic, as fish and invertebrates are very very sensetive to water quality.

Raptor · 05-10-2008, 09:21 AM

Ah ok, its probably alright then.

honeythorn · 05-10-2008, 02:17 PM

I REALLY want some polymer clay

I curse the fact that they don't sell it in shops here! Look what can be made!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php...ng_id=11452853

I'd love to be able to make something like that. Not in pink though. I hate pink.

Mir · 05-10-2008, 03:31 PM

Pink is a super awesome colour. You're just bigoted towards pink!

emeraldlonewoulf · 05-10-2008, 03:38 PM

roses are actually pretty easy to make. you just form each petal one at a time and add it to the flower.

and honey thorn, I've seen what you can do, like your wax skull beads, and custom nail art, not to mention DIY'ed T-shirts, and yes, you could do well, probably much better than some of what I've seen presented on Etsy! but hey, to each their own, I don't want to push. But........ damn it girl, you've got talent! It's ok to see it for yourself, really!

korinna5555 · 05-10-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeythorn

I REALLY want some polymer clay

I curse the fact that they don't sell it in shops here! Look what can be made!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php...ng_id=11452853

I'd love to be able to make something like that. Not in pink though. I hate pink.

I fuckin' LOVE Etsy!
That ring is fantastic.. but I agree. Pink is the colour of evil!

MIR! SHUT UP, OR NO MORE TITTIES! *bitchslap*