Hello! I was wondering if it was possible to use polymer clay to repair some
damage to a ceramic lamp head. I have a desk lamp whose head is shaped like a
teddy bear's head. In my most recent move, the end of his nose got chipped. I
was considering just painting the chip black, but there is a noticeable
difference in the surface level of the nose and the chip. The head is glazed
molded ceramic. Can I use polymer clay to fill in the chip in the nose? Will
I be able to bake the head or should I use an air-hardening substance?? Thanks
in advance!

If the head is removable from all non-ceramic, non-metal parts, it
should be bake-able. I'd use a super glue, like Zap-a-Gap, to attach
the raw clay to the nose before baking.

Another option would be to mold the clay to the chip, bake the repair
piece by itself, then glue it in.

It seems like there would be a noticeable crack between ceramic and
poly clay with either method--anyone have a solution for this?

I may be way off the beam, but I remember that, over a year ago,
someone mentioned being able to harden (cure?) polymer clay with the
tip of a hot glue gun. I wonder if this would work here?

LynnDel

This is a job better done with a product called magic sculpt. It is a two part
epoxie putty. It will not sage for the small area you are talking about. It
will self adheare. once it hardens (stone hard I might add) you can then grind
and sand and buff etc to get the desired finish and then apply the top coat of
paint.

The reason I think you might like this better it that you glazes on the ceramic
might not be glazes but bisque stains with a clear coat of some sort.

Lysle

I would try the "mold the patch to fit then bake separately then glue in place
then paint to blend" method! (I thought about hyphenating that to make it "one
word" but figured you guys would hunt me down for that!)

Even though it's not really compatible with ceramic, I'd use acrylic paint to
repaint the nose since any tiny cracks at the join could be filled witht he
paint and blend in.

This is not a "perfect world" fix, but it sounds like the value of the item is
more sentimental than "antique" or something, and personally, that's about the
amount of work I think repairs like this are worth!! More "suitable"
repairs also are more work and fuss.

JMHO

Sherry

Jen,

In reply to your post about repairing ceramics. Here is way that works
great!! Just fill the nose correctly with wood putty, the best as
possible & smooth all edges. Let dry 24 hours and then you can sand with
fine sand paper if necessary to make it exactly. Then all you have to do
it paint it with Black unfired ceramic paint or just use black acrylic
paint which does take about 3 coats if it is delta. Then when dry a few
days, then lightly spray with acrylic sealer, then coat with clear nail
polish, do 2 coats and let dry well inbetween coats. It works great and
holds up for the long years ahead. I hope this helps some.

Bye! Diana