What substance is this? I want to glue back together.
April 26, 2024 8:06 AM Subscribe
This objet d’art fell and the wings broke off. Curious as to what material it is so we can use the appropriate glue. It’s not plaster, is heavier than you’d expect. Is it resin? Zoom in for better detail. It glints in the sunlight. Link to photo
I can't get the picture to load but the website This to That will help you choose the glue, once you know the materials.
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:11 AM on April 26 [1 favorite]
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:11 AM on April 26 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Yes, I always check there. Resin isn’t listed unless it’s considered “plastic”?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:17 AM on April 26
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:17 AM on April 26
Best answer: If it’s not very porous or flexible and the pieces fit back together well (no gaps) I would use superglue.
posted by aubilenon at 8:26 AM on April 26
posted by aubilenon at 8:26 AM on April 26
This-to-That does tend to lump all petrochemical products into the general term "plastic" but unfortunately they can have very different characteristics that affect their gluing. Without being able to feel the material I can't tell you which type of adhesive you're going to need, but be aware that some require very highly engineered adhesives.
Since paint seems to adhere, it's probably not a very low-energy plastic, so you can skip some of the more alarming products. Superglue would be a reasonable first step, I'd think. If that doesn't work well enough I might try UV glue since they're very clear, won't affect appearance much, and usually doesn't mind the superglue residue (IME). Apply the glue while in a room with no windows, or with the windows closed (to avoid early curing).
If UV glue also doesn't work well enough, then I'd probably get a very fine blade, remove the residues of my prior attempts, and get a specialist glue -- there are several sub-groups, but broadly speaking anything that requires you to first treat the surface with an "activator" chemical before applying the adhesive would probably work (I didn't start off with those because they can occasionally be a bit aggressive to the plastic).
posted by aramaic at 8:33 AM on April 26
Since paint seems to adhere, it's probably not a very low-energy plastic, so you can skip some of the more alarming products. Superglue would be a reasonable first step, I'd think. If that doesn't work well enough I might try UV glue since they're very clear, won't affect appearance much, and usually doesn't mind the superglue residue (IME). Apply the glue while in a room with no windows, or with the windows closed (to avoid early curing).
If UV glue also doesn't work well enough, then I'd probably get a very fine blade, remove the residues of my prior attempts, and get a specialist glue -- there are several sub-groups, but broadly speaking anything that requires you to first treat the surface with an "activator" chemical before applying the adhesive would probably work (I didn't start off with those because they can occasionally be a bit aggressive to the plastic).
posted by aramaic at 8:33 AM on April 26
I think it might be porcelain?
posted by Iteki at 8:48 AM on April 26 [1 favorite]
posted by Iteki at 8:48 AM on April 26 [1 favorite]
That glittery finish makes me want to say it's poured resin. Glitter is popular to add to the liquid resin. I would use a two part glue...330 glue. It comes in 5 minute quick setting version, or a longer time cure version. Go for the longer cure one.Csn you scrape away a tiny bit with a xacto knife? If you can, that would eliminate porcelain.
posted by Czjewel at 9:46 AM on April 26
posted by Czjewel at 9:46 AM on April 26
Maybe show a photo of the surfaces where it broke...Is it black under the gold? That confuses me.
posted by Czjewel at 9:49 AM on April 26
posted by Czjewel at 9:49 AM on April 26
Put a needle in a flame , touch the object with it .
If it smokes it isn't porcelain.
posted by hortense at 11:40 AM on April 26
If it smokes it isn't porcelain.
posted by hortense at 11:40 AM on April 26
Response by poster: Amazingly, superglue did the trick!
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:23 AM on April 30 [1 favorite]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:23 AM on April 30 [1 favorite]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:08 AM on April 26