Topic: Glass Scratch and Chip Repair kits - any good or not?

[adam20]

When I am on eBay buying glass I can't help noticing 'scratch and chip repair' kits for sale - apparently they repair mildew and scaling as well - or so they say - has anyone tried these? Not that I am thinking of buying one, it's just I can't imagine anything repairing scratches apart from polishing and as for chips well they can't be repaired really, or can they?

As a rule I only buy flawless pieces but do have one or two items that are scratched or scaled - I hate when a seller doesn't tell me about water damage as it totally ruins a piece.

Anyway just thought I would pose this question.

Adam

[petet63]

Hi Adam20, I did buy one because I have a Stevens and Williams vase that was very badly stained over about 70% of the inside. I tried all the usual suspects trying to get it to a decent condition and none worked. I spent a very long time working through the 4 compounds by hand that you get with the kit and it does work. I haven't got it to the condition I would like yet as it really does take a few hours by hand but I have got hold of a dremel and will be using that on the S&W vase to finish it off. I have a Servres candlestick that has a few nibbles around the inner lip that I am going to try to sort out soon so  I can see if it sorts them out. I have every confidence that it will work. I will photograph the two pieces for a before and after shot. Pete

[Andy]

Hi Adam, i think the powder that comes with the kits is Cerium Oxide, you can buy it seperately on the web if you prefer. A few years ago,I bought a set of Doulton Crystal,all dishwasher stained, i didnt notice in the auction rooms ! Thought i got it a bit cheap, anyway, i got some powder, and a dremmel, and each glass took 15minutes or so, but results were very good!
Also i cleaned a water stained Kosta Vase with the powder and some hard work, and got good results. Its easier if its a vessel you can get to by hand, the method of drill extensions for decanters and thin necked vases etc. was a bit too fiddly, but i can see , with patience and practice it should work.
Chips , i gave up on, i tried it on a Czech vase, with a dremmel, and it got too hot and cracked, very very light scratching and a few hours work by hand should work ok.
These days the dremmel is with the George Formby Grill and other items that dont get used any more, and i try to avoid scratched chipped or stained stuff, but occaisionally i will get the powder out!
Good luck.
Regards
Andy

[petet63]

I agree Andy, best on the ones your hand fits in. Im trying to work out a way of turning the vase and using a larger polishing pad as the dremel heads are so small. maybe lots of blue tack and an old record player   I haven't tried a chip yet but did have concerns about the heat generated. will try the candlestick I have and see how it goes and report back.

[Andy]

Last week, i tried the powder and the little metal cleaning balls you can buy , on this waterford bud vase which was stained inside, looked like dishwasher bloom, but just inside, so probably water staining, anyway, i was sure it would work, but surprisingly made it worse!  :usd:

[petet63]

I  have tried denture cleaning tablets and that worked ok and also rice. Pour in dried rice add water and swirl it round. It works ok for a basic clean on the inside.I also usea wooden spoon to clean inside, i strap a sponge to the handle with elastic bands and clean the inside.i I try the non abrasive methods first. For the worst stains the polishing kit has 4 grades of abrasives. I had to use the more abrasive ones first then to the finer powders when cleaning the vase I have. Just for info, cigarette ash makes a great fine abrasive. I cleaned superglue off the lens of my glasses with it. Not mt fave method but it works.