If I find cracks in the soft porcelain at home, how should I repair them
When cracks are found in the soft porcelain at home, the following steps can be followed for repair:
Prepare materials and tools
Materials: sealant or specialized soft porcelain repair adhesive with a color similar to soft porcelain (can consult the soft porcelain supplier to purchase compatible products), sealant (used to fill larger cracks in the foundation), sandpaper, and masking paper.
Tools: Art knife, scraper, brush, spray gun (optional, used to apply repair materials more evenly).
Assess the condition of cracks
Determine the type and size of cracks: Carefully observe the cracks, distinguish whether they are surface fine cracks or penetrating cracks, and measure the width of the cracks. The width of minor cracks is usually less than 1 millimeter, while wider cracks may exceed 3 millimeters or even wider. The repair methods may vary slightly depending on the situation.
Clean up cracks and surrounding areas
Remove impurities: Use a utility knife to carefully remove dust, debris, etc. from the cracks. If there are loose soft ceramic fragments, they should also be cleaned to ensure that the inside of the cracks is clean, so that the subsequent repair materials can bond better.
Polishing the periphery: Gently sand the soft ceramic surface around the crack with sandpaper to increase the adhesion between the repair material and the soft ceramic. The polishing range is approximately 1-2 centimeters away from the edge of the crack. Be careful not to excessively polish and damage the surface of the soft stone.
Fill the crack
Small cracks (width less than 1 millimeter): Directly squeeze the sealant or specialized soft ceramic repair adhesive into the crack and fill it as tightly as possible. Use a scraper to level the excess adhesive along the crack direction, so that the repaired area is flush with the surface of the soft stone.
Medium crack (width of 1-3 millimeters): First, fill the bottom of the crack with sealant until it is 1-2 millimeters below the surface of the soft ceramic, and wait for the sealant to dry and solidify (specific time refers to the product manual, generally takes 1-2 hours). Then apply sealant or specialized soft ceramic repair glue on top and scrape it flat with a scraper.
Larger cracks (width greater than 3 millimeters): For larger cracks, it may be necessary to first cut a soft ceramic tile with a similar shape and appropriate size to the crack and embed it into the crack, and fix it with special adhesive. After the glue dries, use sealant and sealant for surface treatment to ensure that the repaired area is flat and seamless.
Decoration and Protection
Appearance modification: If the color of the repaired area is inconsistent with the surrounding soft porcelain, a pigment that matches the color of the soft porcelain can be used for coloring treatment to restore its appearance as consistent as possible.
Apply decorative paper: Apply decorative paper to the repair area to prevent contamination of the surrounding soft porcelain during subsequent cleaning or other operations.
Waiting for curing: Allow the repair material to fully cure, and the curing time depends on the different materials. Generally, sealant or repair glue takes 24-48 hours to fully cure and achieve optimal strength. During the curing process, avoid touching or scratching the repair area.
Cleaning and Inspection
Clean up excess materials: After the repair material is completely cured, carefully remove the masking paper and gently wipe the repair area with a damp cloth or cleaning agent to remove residual repair materials and stains.
Check the repair effect: Observe the repaired area from different angles, check whether it is flat, whether the color is coordinated, and whether there are any new gaps or protrusions. If there are any areas of dissatisfaction, appropriate repairs and adjustments can be made according to the situation.
