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Crack Repair 101: Tools required:
High speed rotary Dremel-type tool (Available at any hardware store.) Diamond encrusted Dremel rotary grinder bit. (available at larger hardware stores
and hobby stores.) A cone or ball-shaped bit about 1/8” in diameter is best. Industrial White Epoxy Paste Sandpaper, assorted grits 60 to 600. Surface Repair Refinishing Spray Safety goggles, a wet sponge, & steady hands. Procedure:
1.) Clean the area around the crack to expose the full extent of the damage. 2.)At the farthest visible extent of the crack, use the dremel tool &
diamond bit to drill a hole completely through the porcelain. Use the wet sponge to dribble water on to the work area to keep the bit cool and to control dust.
Drilling through the porcelain at this point “drill stops” the crack to prevent it from spreading further. 3.) Grind out a V or U-shaped valley along
the entire length of the crack approximately 1/8” deep x 1/8” wide. This will remove any dirt and give the epoxy a maximum amount of surface to bond with.
4.) Mix epoxy according to instructions and fill the crack. Use a popsicle stick to smooth the surface to just slightly above grade. If the repair is on a vertical surface, fill the groove and apply a piece of clear packing tape over the repair to hold the epoxy in place while it cures.
5.) Once the epoxy is fully cured, start with the coarsest grit sandpaper and sand the repair down to grade, using progressively finer grits until the surface of the repair is flush and smooth. If any air bubbles are exposed or the repair needs to built back up to grade, go back to step 4 using another thinner layer of epoxy.
6.) If the repair is in an inconspicuous place, you may opt to stop at this point, especially if a white epoxy is used. Sanding with very fine grit (1000 grit)
sandpaper can make for a perfectly acceptable repair in many cases. 7.) If a fully refinished surface is desired, wipe the area down with acetone and let
dry. Spray on an even coat of white surface repair refinishing spray and allow to dry to a light tack. Within 10 minutes, spray on an even coat of clear surface repair spray to “gloss” and seal the surface. You may wish to refinish the entire fixture or you can allow overspray from the repair area to drift a bit to help blend in and hide the repaired area.
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