fix a broken champagne flute

December 27, 2012 5:57 AM

Is it possible to fix a champagne flute that just has one clean break?

For our wedding, we were given a beautiful pair of glass champagne flutes, but one of them was knocked over by our cat. It has one clean break (pic) and would otherwise be fine, if we could get that fixed.

We're in New York City, if there's some place in the city that we could take this. Likewise, if there's some fix we could do at home, if you could let us know, we'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

posted by to sir with millipedes to Home & Garden (5 answers total)

Lucky break! The cheap fix is glass glue which you can buy at Home Hardware (similar things at similar stores). But having had glass labware fixed by a glassblower before, I know you might also be able to contact some local glassblower artisans and get it repaired that way too.
posted by ergo at 6:07 AM on December 27, 2012

Here's what This to That recommends. I wouldn't put it through a dishwasher or anything afterward, though.
posted by fiercecupcake at 6:07 AM on December 27, 2012

With glass glue it will be possible to fix it so it's functional again but it will be obvious that it has been repaired. I attempted to fix a crystal bowl with a similar break for my mom but it always looked "off" afterwards.

No experience with a glass blower, but there are businesses that specialize in restoring and repairing things like this. They should be able to tell you what sort of results you'll get.
posted by bondcliff at 6:27 AM on December 27, 2012

Glass glue will be your best cost-effective solution. There will be a visible seam, of course. Though, given the location at the bottom of the bowl, it may not be to terribly obvious, the way it would be in the middle of the stem.

I suspect going the glass-blower (or any other non-diy-glue solution) is going to cost you more than simply buying a new flute.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:32 AM on December 27, 2012

I think you've got a good chance of having the seam pretty invisible given the location of the break. As folks have said, use glass glue.

- Use a tiny drop-- the bond will actually be weaker if the glue is thicker and the seam will be more obvious.

- Find a safe place where the glass won't be disturbed with plenty of space. Tell the cat that he's dead meat if he gets anywhere near the thing.

- Lay down a long strip of masking tape. Stand the glass on the lip in the center of the tape.

- Apply a drop of the glue, spread it around with the applicator. Press the stem into the break, apply firm (but not crushing, obviously) pressure directly down for a good 10 minutes. This will suck even though you're not pressing hard. Work in shifts to avoid movement/accidents from fatigue.

- After the ten minutes of hand pressure, one person maintains the pressure, the other secures the stem to the bowl with the tape. Make it firm, make it even so that the pressure is still directly down to the break. Glue always works best when there's constant pressure for the entire curing process.

- Put something over it, like a tall jar or a mixing bowl etc. You don't want to move it for close to 24 hours, and you don't want it moved accidentally.

- The next day, remove the tape and clean the residue with rubbing alcohol. With a little luck, it'll look great!
posted by Mayor Curley at 7:37 AM on December 27, 2012 [1 favorite]