I have a 3 gallon stone crock with a hairline crack up each side. (The
crock is very old and has an indian head in a circle on the side
printed in blue.) I would like to repair the cracks AND still be able
to use the water-tight crock to make pickles and edible foot items. I
would also like the repair to have minimal noticeability and be fairly
inexpensive if possible. Is this something that I can repair myself
with some type of kit or glue/ceramic glue, etc., or will it require
shipping to some location for the repair - and how much would a
professional repair cost(estimate if known)?
Thank you

Hello kimberjingle-ga,

I made a successful repair to a similar stone urn a few years ago
based on the fact that automobile glass crack repair kits are commonly
available in major retail outlets at a reasonable price.
With glass and stone having silicon properties, I decided the resin to
repair a windshield should work well on the stone, and it did.
I too worried about the chemicals,shrinkage and the elements, but
considered that an auto's windshield is subject to heat, cold, wind,
etc, and the resin to repair the crack would have to be sturdy enough
to be a profitable product.

Since the glass repair product(I see them in the automotive area of
the major retail stores) is reasonably priced, you should have the
same success that I did.
However, you might test it on a small area of the crock first, then if
you are happy with the result, you can treat the rest of the cracks.

Sounds like a good business, but how does one go about advertising
cracked stone repairs......?

Brad-ga

The researcher did no online investigation for an appropriate answer.
The answer given was not at all relevant to the question. Researcher
based the entire answer off of his own unrelated experience. The
answer given by the researcher was to use a windshield repair kit on
my stoneware crock to seal the crack. Thanks to comments from other
users, I learned that the windshield repair kit glue is NOT foodsafe
glue. I am thankful that I did not heed the researcher's ill-advised
suggestion. I don't think the researcher even attempted to look-up any
information related to my question. From Google's own price schedule:
$10-$15 Can be answered with 30 minutes of work. I thought maybe this
question could be answered within 15 minutes of searching, thus the
$10 price. I don't feel like the researcher's answer is worth
anything.

Hi kimberjingle...

Almost any epoxy or patch you apply will have at
least 1 of several undesirable characterstics:

- shrinkage / expansion
- chemical liquid or fume seepage
- inability to handle the elements.


Have you considered or tried contacting
a stoneware or porcelain repair company?

-AI

Hi kimberjingle,

Brad fails to mention that the vast majority of windshield repair kits
are not food-safe adhesives.  While these epoxies are quite strong,
they are also toxic, and are not approved for use on items which come
into contact with food.

Please be very careful when utilizing these kits - most explicitly
state that they are not safe to use on items which come into contact
with food.  Be certain that you have one that *is* safe - if you're
not sure, ask for the material safety data sheet on the product or
look it up here:

Material Safety Data Sheet Search
http://www.msdssearch.com/


I'm looking for food-safe epoxy for you, so you have something to go
on.  Researcher bethc-ga suggested Gorilla Glue - I've never used it
personally, but their website does list "stone repair" as one of its
uses:

Gorilla Glue Uses
http://www.gorillaglue.com/uses.html

...and in a comparison chart, points to itself as non-toxic when
cured:

Gorilla Glue - compare
http://www.gorillaglue.com/compare.html

Alternatively, you can check with local ceramic and pottery shops to
see if they can recommend someone skilled in stoneware repair.  If the
cracks are only hairline and do not penetrate completely, a skilled
ceramist may be able to inexpensively repair and reglaze the item for
you.


Hope this helps!


--Missy

I want to add that there is an enormous difference between something
that is "non-toxic" and something that is considered to be either
"food grade" or "safe for consumption". Things labeled "non-toxic" are
not meant for human consumption - they just fall below a particular
threshold of toxicity.

"Excel" polyurethane glues are, according to the manufacturer, food-safe: 

http://www.excelglue.com/ 

http://www.excelglue.com/FAQs/body_faqs.html#foodsafe

According to this link, Gorilla Glue is food-safe:

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/All_about_polyurethane_glues.html

Still hunting for other sources of food-safe glues!


--Missy