| Valuable antique pottery - such as Meissen, | | | | To repair an antique figure, bury it in a bowl of |
| Sèvres and Chelsea (which date from the | | | | sand, with the broken surface just protruding and |
| 18th century) - is too rare and delicate to be | | | | horizontal. Set it up so that the broken piece |
| restored by anyone other than an expert. | | | | balances perfectly on its matching surface without |
| However, many other pieces of antique china, | | | | adhesive. Glue it and keep checking to make sure |
| which probably have more charm than value, can | | | | that nothing slips. When the adhesive has set, |
| be restored by anyone prepared to take the | | | | remove any surplus along the join with fine |
| time. | | | | glass-paper and a razor blade. |
| Wash china in warm soapy water, then rinse and | | | | Chips can be filled with a mixture of epoxy resin |
| dry. Most domestic stains can be shifted by, | | | | and finely powdered chalk, called whiting. Missing |
| rubbing with bicarbonate of soda or common salt. | | | | parts on antique ornamental pieces can be |
| Grease and dust collects in cracks. Bleach with | | | | replaced by modelling a new part out of epoxy |
| cotton wool pads soaked in hydrogen peroxide. | | | | resin filler. If the missing part - of a plate, for |
| Coarse antique china is porous and often stains | | | | example - is flat, make a backing of a gummed |
| badly, but it can be cleaned by soaking for up to | | | | strip. If the surface is curved, back it with dental |
| a week in neat domestic bleach. In some cases, | | | | impression compound, which can be bought from |
| old joins may have to be taken apart. To soften | | | | a dental materials supplier or from a dental |
| glue, soak in boiling water and detergent. | | | | mechanic. Mix a stiff-dough of epoxy resin with |
| Methylated spirits, amyl acetate and acetone are | | | | whiting and build it up against the backing. It sticks |
| other softeners that can be tried, but remember | | | | to the edges and, when dry, resembles unglazed |
| that complete immersion softens all joints. In the | | | | china. |
| last resort, pick away at old adhesive with a | | | | If the shape of the missing piece is part of a |
| needle. | | | | repetitive pattern, make a mould of a similar |
| Broken surfaces must be clean and fit exactly or | | | | unbroken part with dental impression compound. |
| they will not join properly. Wipe with a piece of | | | | Use this mould to make a new piece with quick |
| silk dipped in methylated spirits. Silk will not leave | | | | drying filler. These pieces have to be cut and filed |
| lint on jagged edges. Put the thinnest possible coat | | | | to fit when dry and stuck into place. Note that |
| of epoxy resin on each surface and press | | | | large missing pieces have to be cast. Model the |
| together. Remove any surplus adhesive before it | | | | missing part in plasticine. Use callipers to check the |
| dries, with a watercolour brush dipped in | | | | length and thickness of similar parts. Build up a |
| methylated spirits. Avoid touching the actual crack: | | | | square of plasticine strips on a sheet of glass. |
| any surplus on that must be removed by | | | | Insert a wooden peg through one side of the |
| breaking the surface with fine glass-paper then by | | | | square and into the model to hold it horizontally |
| cutting it away with a razor blade. To make a | | | | above the glass in the middle of the square. Mix |
| really good join of smooth surfaces, such as | | | | plaster of Paris and water in a bowl, stirring until |
| those on antique plates or cups, apply pressure | | | | the mixture resembles a thick cream and, pour |
| by clamping or putting weight on where possible, | | | | into the mould until it is halfway up the model. |
| or by binding with a 1 ½ in. (40mm) wide | | | | Leave it to set. Cut two wide grooves in the |
| brown paper gummed strip (but not self-adhesive | | | | plaster as locating marks when the two sections |
| tape). Gummed strips shrink as they dry and | | | | are joined. Coat the surfaces of the plaster with |
| exert tension. Put the strips that are wet, but not | | | | silicone grease and, fill the rest of the frame with |
| dripping, at right angles across the join: it is | | | | fresh plaster. When it has set, remove the |
| pointless to fix a strip along the line of the join. | | | | plasticine wall, ease the two sections apart and |
| When the join has set, soak off the strips and | | | | take out the model. This leaves a mould in which |
| remove the surplus adhesive with glass-paper and | | | | to cast the new piece with filler. |
| a razor blade. | | | | |