The Do-It-Yourself Approach to Glass Repair

Depending on the severity and type of glass broken, some can be repaired without professional help. All one needs is the right materials, tools, and lots of patience.

It must be noted that before undergoing a glass repair project, professional advice or consultation may be needed. Depending on use or purpose, some glass repair project should be done by a specialist.

Materials needed for glass repair:
Masking Tape
Clamps (depending on the size of the glass to be repaired, a clothespin can be used for small glass objects)
Clear epoxy glue

These materials should be complete before undergoing the glass repair project.

Fit Broken Pieces Together

Before anything else, assemble the broken glass pieces and decide how they all fit together. Make sure all the pieces are complete. Without a complete set, glass repair is not possible. One will end up with an incomplete glass item that may even be dangerous to use.

Evaluate Setting Technique

This is the most important step in repairing the glass object. Proper setting technique will ensure that the pieces will fit together well and the glue will hold.

Study the glass item for repair. Look at the pieces and decide the best way to hold the pieces together while the glue is setting. A flat piece of glass would best set while it is held in place with pressure applied on both sides. A cylindrical glass object would probably need to be taped together. A shattered windshield would need a piece by piece approach.

One can be inventive in evaluating the proper setting technique as long as the objective of having a tight, secure setting for the glass repair is achieved.

Gluing the Glass Pieces Together

Once the proper way of setting is established and all the glass pieces are complete for reassembly, one can already prepare the glue. The best glue to use for glass repair is clear epoxy glue. These come in two tubes that are mixed together. Once mixed, it is ready for application.

If the glue doesn’t come with an applicator, a toothpick or the bottom end of a matchstick can be used when repairing the glass object. Depending on the setting technique chosen for the glass repair, apply the glue to the edge of one piece and attach it to its partner piece.

Use only a thin amount of glue per piece and ensure a tight fit. If required, glue each piece in stages to ensure a proper reconstruction of the object. Glass repair needs lots of patience. Some attached pieces may need days before the next piece is attached.

Once all pieces are glued together and a tight and secure hold is achieved, leave the object for a week for it to settle down.