how to fix a cracked coffee cup

Introduction

Every beverage consumer has a favorite cup, which is used by the person every time of consumption, whether it is a morning or evening brew or a late-night sip. But just imagine what the person will do if their favorite beverage cup is broken or a crack is generated in it.

Because of this, usually people search about how to fix a cracked coffee cup and what are the methods of fixing a crack in a coffee mug. In this article, we are answering these queries.

What need of fixing a cracked coffee mug

Not just because of favoritism or sentimental values, there are many other reasons because of which people want to fix their broken mug/cup. Like…

• Money-saving element, high-quality cups are usually expensive, and usually it is also difficult to find the exact same cup again.
• Eco-friendly choice is also a factor. Research proves that ceramics, through which most of the cups are made, take almost 1 million years to decompose.
• Creative techniques like kintsugi, which we will discuss in the below section, are also a factor for fixing cracked coffee cups.

Is it safe to repair a damage cup

Now, before going towards how to fix a cracked coffee cup, let’s understand another basic query that is, Is it really safe? The answer is YES, but…

The safety depends on the type of crack and repair materials. In the below sections, we will discuss these parameters in detail, but just for the curiosity of our reader, we conclude that…

If there is a small, shallow crack or a crack-like hairline, then repair with an FDA-approved adhesive like food safety epoxy is considered safe. But if you are using non-food-safe glue like cyanoacrylate, this is unsafe because of unhealthy chemical content. Otherwise, if your cup is hardly damaged from the interior side, then this will be considered unsafe. Chances of bacteria thriving in crevices are high because of this deep damage.

Types of cracks

In order to understand how to fix a cracked coffee cup let explore the types of cracks first. The basic two types are as follow

Hair line

Same as its name, a crack with just a thin, shallow, or hair-like crack that doesn’t break or penetrate the internal layer of the cup is considered a minor damage. This will generate because of some thermal shock or some minor collision. It is so easy to repair or decorate.

Deep breaks

Extreme damage like a broken cup internally or breaking a cup into pieces is considered major damage. This will generate because of weak structure, low-quality manufacturing or some heavy impact like a hard drop. It is difficult to repair as compared to a hairline crack.

Required material for fixing a cracked cup

Now another important factor of how to fix a cracked coffee cup is repair material. We categorized the repair material into two categories, they both have their own specification which are as follow

Household item

• Baking soda with super glue: The mixture of both of these can make the best paste for filling small exterior cracks. It is really workable but it has one con too. It is not heat resistant.
• Egg whites: Another biodegradable material is egg whiteness. It is also very reliable when dried after 24 hours. But it is a weak hold and use as a temporary alternative.
• Waterproof sealant or duct tape: If you don’t have any repairable material and want an urgent alternative so these materials can be used, these will instantly prevent leaks, but remember it is not food safe.

Specialized repair kits

• Food safety epoxy resin: Food-safe adhesive like JB Weld 8276 or Devcon 2-Ton that can fix your cup crack permanently. The best things about these materials are that they are FDA approved, and they can tolerate heat up to 300°F/150°C.
• Ceramic and porcelain repair kits: If you want to fix a deep break, then these premixed adhesives like Loctite Stik N Seal can do this flawlessly. The best part of this material is they are waterproof, but be aware at the time of purchasing because some of its variants are not food safe.
• Kintsugi kits: It is a little bit expensive, like other materials, but actually it is the best material for fixing a crack because of its aesthetic touch. Basically, the DIY Kintsugi kit is used in the Kintsugi repair method, a traditional Japanese way of repair by transforming damage into art.

Steps guide of how to fix a cracked coffee cup

Now, in this section we are going to explore basic part of our query that is how to fix a cracked coffee cup. So, methods of how to fix a cracked coffee cup are as follows

Method 1(Temporary fix with super glue)

Firstly we discussed the temporary method of how to fix a cracked coffee cup. Remember this method is just for decorative or non drinking use because of using Cyanocrylate, the methods are as follow

Required material

• Super glue (Cyanocrylate)
• Baking soda
• Clamp or rubber bands
• Disposable gloves
• Sand paper

Steps

1. Firstly, you have to clean the cracked area, all you have to do is wash your mug with soap and dry it.
2. If your cup has just a minor crack, like a hair-like gap, then you have to squeeze a thin line of glue into the crack.
3. Otherwise, for a major crack, mix the super glue with baking soda and make a thick paste. Then apply this paste directly over that deep broken piece.
4. Thereafter, use a clamp or a rubber band to hold that broken piece together for almost 2 to 3 hours.
5. Now, by using fine grit sandpaper, gently sand rough edges.

Note: Super glue is not food safe. So, use this method for the outer side only.

Method 2(Food safe repair with epoxy resin)

Now, we discuss our second method of how to fix a cracked coffee cup. This method of fixing is food safe because of FDA approve. The methods are as follow

Required material

• Epoxy (FDA approve)
• Mixing tray (Disposable)
• Small brush or tooth pick
• Sand paper (220 grit)

Steps

1. To remove debris, firstly you have to sand the cracked area lightly and then rub and wipe with alcohol.
2. Now read the mentioned instructions that are written on the epoxy package and follow them to the resin and hardener.
3. Use a stick or a toothpick and apply the epoxy into the deep crack.
4. Use any damp cloth to wipe out any excess epoxy.
5. Now, thereafter, use a rubber band to hold it for almost 24 hours to ensure proper fixing.

Method 3(Kintsugi/Japanese art)

Now we are coming towards our third method of how to fix a cracked coffee cup. This method is basically a Japanese art and very famous for fixing cracks into an art way.

Required material

• Fine brushes
• Lacquer
• Kintsugi kit

Steps

1. Firstly, you have to wash your mug and dry it.
2. Apply the Kintsugi epoxy and press it properly to ensure there is not any air bubble present in it.
3. Now for the shimmering effect, use a brush and apply metallic powder over the wet epoxy.
4. Thereafter, let it dry for almost 1 week in a dust-free area.

FAQs

Can a microwave safe cup will stay safe after repair

The answer is depending on some following conditions

YES it is safe IF	No it is unsafe IF
If you are using an FDA-approved material or a heat-resistant material, then it will be safe because it will tolerate microwave temperature.	If you are using a non-heat-resistant adhesive material or if the damage is in the rim or base, then it can be unsafe.

How long will the repair last

Method	Life span	Things to avoid
Super glue Food safe epoxy Kintsugi	1 month to 3 month 2 year to 3 year More than 5 year	Remember that you have to avoid overheating. Don’t use the dishwasher, always wash gently by hand. Placed in a stable environment to prevent any further damage.

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