Stop mugging about
If your favourite mug has a crack or a chip, read on to learn how to fix a broken mug. You’ll be surprised how easy it is!
How to fix a broken mug
You can fix most broken mugs with the right adhesive. It saves you a few dollars, but more importantly, it can save the sentimental value of a mug that was a gift on a special occasion or perhaps a souvenir from a memorable trip.
Choosing the right glue for your repairs is one of the most important facets of this project. The adhesive must be compatible with the material the mug is made of, and it has to be safe for food and drink. Generally, if a glue says that it is dishwasher safe, that indicates that it is also food-safe and microwave-safe.
The ability to fill gaps is another useful feature to look for in an adhesive. Many times tiny bits of ceramic are lost or crumble to the point of disappearance, leaving small gaps. A gap-filling adhesive will span these areas and tie everything together.
More on the adhesives later, but first, let’s list the steps to fix a broken coffee or tea mug. Here are the items you’ll need:
- adhesive
- paper towels or a clean cloth
- masking tape or other means to hold the parts together
- disposable work gloves
Follow these steps for a successful job:
- Wash and dry the broken pieces to ensure they are clean and will bond tightly. (Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.)
- Pre-fit the broken parts to make sure you have them all.
- Apply some glue and join the pieces together, one by one. If the mug has broken into many pieces, you may need to do this in stages.
- After joining two pieces, use tape or some other means of keeping the repaired parts together until the glue dries.
- After the mug is complete and the glue is dry, scrape or sand any excess glue that may be showing on the outside of the mug.
- If necessary, touch up the outside with a ceramic touch-up glaze.
How to fix a broken mug handle
Repairing a mug handle is done the same way as above. It is typically one of the easiest repairs since the handle is usually still in one piece. Glue the handle on and use masking tape to hold the handle until the glue dries.
When repairing a broken mug, dish, or other kitchenware, make sure to use an adhesive that is food-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.
How to fix a chipped mug
Fix a chipped mug by gluing the chipped part back in place. If you don’t have the chipped piece, or it has shattered, use a gap-filling adhesive to fill the area. Slightly overfill the chip and allow the glue to dry.
Once dry, use fine sandpaper to smooth the repair, then touch up the colour with a matching glaze.
Fix a cracked mug the same way. Fill the crack with a gap-filling adhesive, sand it smooth, and touch up with glaze.
Best adhesives to fix a broken mug
As mentioned above, make sure your adhesive is compatible with ceramic materials and that it is safe for items that will contact food or drink.
An excellent choice would be Loctite Super Glue Control. This versatile and strong glue not only bonds in seconds but it dries clear and is solvent free to prevent any foul odours. It is perfect for fixing porcelain mugs with its easy-grip squeeze bottle, is shock proof when dry, and stands up to the high temperatures of hot drinks!
If your mug is made of glass, another possibility is Loctite Super Glue Glass. It forms nearly instant crystal-clear bonds which are water resistant and dishwasher safe.