How to Fix Cracks in Bone Dry Clay

This is how I fix cracks in bone-dry or leather-hard clay when my pottery has cracked during the drying process. It can also be used to fix clay that has been bumped or otherwise damaged.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – start
0:53 – useful tools
1:19 – making paper clay slip
5:19 – repairing the crack with paper clay slip and vinegar
9:18 – making spooze
10:52 – making magic water
12:27 – repairing the crack with magic water and spooze
14:30 – sanding the repairs
18:48 – the finished repair
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Materials and Tools Used in This Video

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Clay –

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Some Pottery Tools I Use Every Day:

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[lynnenewell]

I have even added a totally new bottom to a bowl I have trimmed through using paper clay and you would never know! Putting the bowl in a plastic bag after repair and leaving it for a week then drying slowly with plastic draped over it and no cracking when fired. Perfect!

[kevinleong]

Trimmings are very useful to make slip

[cookieridergirl]

Thank you. This gives me some hope to save my little air dry pumpkin i’m making. I don’t have a lot of extra clay so I think I’ll have to adjust the proportions to make a little at the time. Hopefully it will be enough to fix the crack. I should have looked into some drying techniques to prevent cracking first but i’m here now and would like to save my little craft project.

[barbaraswanner]

Great video on repairs. Lana Wilson created magic water, which has been a staple in our classroom studio for years. Your demos were terrific in their clarity.

[jutkafischer]

Excellent and helpful video. Thank you. Ive made paper clay only with water, but this looks much more effective.

[grafkimber]

awesome share. It would have been nice to see the finished bisqued piece. bisquing went well?

[kimberlyc.]

Thank you so much for this! I was able to save a hand sculpted whale that I spent 8 hours on! 🥺💖

[jka]

Thanks for the tips. Will give it a shot. Fingers crossed.

[jseal]

You always have such helpful hints and tips, thank you! I have a question about grogged clay, I use Standard Raku clay and I can never get my fit and finish as nice as your because I can't use a wet chamois, what do you recommend for this type of clay to get a finer finish???

[beyzak]

Can we use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar while making paper clay slip?

[joyceradesca]

Hi, very interesting video, thanks so much !

[kevinleong]

I use magic water instead of white vinegar. Can use either but I prefer not to smell the vinegar all the time.

[max_ammo_]

Thank you! Also I keep thinking to myself how did anyone think of making that recipe with the vinegar and the TP for the first time hehe

[johndevilbiss]

Sorry to ask, but I have been raised in America (USA), where the pronunciation of English is different.

I am not sure of the proportions of Soda Ash and Sodium Silicate for a 1 and a third pint of water...
Is it 1/3 of a teaspoon of Soda Ash? Or is it 1/3 of a tablespoon?

[jasminnielsen]

Can you use powder too?

As in if you use sandpaper could you then use the powders clay ?

[janeholeman]

Can the same recipe be used to make paper clay slip for brown clay containing grog? BTW… I love your videos. Thank you so much.

[TheDanish_girl]

Hi :) thank you for the video 😊 maybe I missed if you said it in the video, but I want to understand when and for what you are using each method? Or is it for the same? And also, could the paper slip be used as a regular slip, when joining in the first place for a stronger hold? So I only need one slip on hand

[vkgikct]

Can I use magic water in place of white vinegar and still use the paper clay filler ?

[TheStugbit]

Miss, let me ask you. I'm making a nativity scene model out of clay, but a small part of the base I'm making the buildings and stuff has ripped off around a corner edge, it is small but still a significant part of it. And now this edge isn't properly symmetrical along with the rest of the base and doesn't look great. The piece is on the "bone stage" thing. I know this recipe of yours is meant for cracks and all, but in the case of adding new stuff to the bone stage, is it still possible? Making a new corner out of new fresh clay? I say this because the piece I'm doing isn't small. There are many Bethlehem buildings attached to it. It would take me a lot of time to make the whole thing again, and it would be costly as well because of all the clay involved. But if it isn't possible to fix it, I would have to build it again. I was wondering if I could leave somehow the structure tilted with the broken point submerged in a bowl of water so I could rehydrate only this broken side so I could glue back the new clay.

[sorrysez]

Hii, thank you very much for the great video! I am thinking to apply the paper clay. Do you think it would work for bigger pieces like 18inch/46cm side table top. The crack is about 15inch/38cm. I have put so much effort that I would like to save it. The thickness of the clay is 0.5inch/13mm. I am planning to do the repairing from both sides (inside and outside). Do you think it would work? Thank you tons!