Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Fit together the broken parts to figure out how to arrange them; you'll want to be able to fit them together instantly when you glue them. If it proves difficult to piece the parts together, use clear tape to assist in the process. If repairing cylindrical portions, such as the doll's neck, arms or legs, mark the proper positioning using white makeup pencil lines across the cracks to show the proper positions.
Assess the porcelain to figure out the best glue to use. Porcelain may have a grainy, powdery texture, in which case you should use a glue with some bulk and cohesion, like silicone adhesive or epoxy glue. If the porcelain is non-porous and glass-like, use a cyanoacrylate adhesive (super glue).
Piece together small broken pieces with glue before attaching them to the rest of the doll. Spread the glue in place using the toothpick; if necessary, glue only one piece to another at a time and let the glue cure before you add additional pieces. Clear away glue from the outsides of seams before it dries, but if glue oozes on the inside side of the ceramic, leave it in place; it won't be seen and it will strengthen the hold.
Glue the smaller pieces to the larger ones to restore the doll. Let the glue cure according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Wipe away any remaining grease pencil marks on the doll.
Soften a few tablespoons of the imitation porcelain clay. Fill in large cracks that remain in the doll's surface using this. Smooth over the surface of the doll and the clay with a wet finger to create an even surface. Let dry.
Make a mixture of softened clay with water. Add enough water to make the mixture the consistency of toothpaste. Spread this into any remaining cracks in the doll's surface, or cracks that formed between the larger clay pieces and the doll while drying. Let dry.
Coat the dried clay with a layer of matte sealant (if repairing matte porcelain) or glossy varnish (if repairing glassy porcelain).