Cracked Pottery? How to Fix Cracked Bisque with Bisque Fix! Day 10 Quarantine Distraction Video

Coronavirus Quarantine Distraction: Video 10
I will be trying to post simple daily videos for inspiration for my students, and my subscribers to help give us some learning and distraction during this national emergency. Here is a link to the playlist I am adding to: • Online Learning During...
In this video, I show how to fix or repair cracked bisqueware. I am using Amaco Bisque Fix- link: Amaco Bisque Fix: (repair bisque ware)
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
I rinse or dampen the pieces prior to applying the bisque fix to prevent it from drying too rapidly. Once applied, I will sponge off excess, or I used an abrasive screen for some stubborn spots.
Check out this link to a live searchable Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! (also some non-amazon suggestions on here!)
docs.google.com/document/d/1X...
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I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 30 years, and I have been teaching for over 28 years, the past 20 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site; www.etsy.com/shop/KaransPotsA...
I started my KZbin channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!
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[@tricialee5]

Karan, I continue to enjoy and learn from your videos! Here is a note from the 'Bisque Fix' people, regarding storage: 😷 "Important Storage Note: Bisque fix is and air set concrete type product. There is a way to keep it longer. After you have used it and are ready to put it away, put a thin layer of water in the jar then recap and store. When you go to use it again pour off the water, remix and apply as normal."

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Awesome! Thanks- I have started doing that recently- and didn’t realize that they said to do it in their instructions! :)

[@micheledickey4066]

Thank you once again!! I don’t know what I would do without your incredibly helpful information!! Thank you! I LOVE BLOOPERS! Keep them!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

LOL!!! Thanks!!

[@pappysprite]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Hi Karan! I love your videos. I just did my first sculpture and after it came out of the kiln, it has some surface cracks. The school recommended I get Bisque Fix but said I could put it on and then glaze over it and then fire it. You do not recommend this? I get nervous every time this goes in the Kiln, so I am not sure I want to fire it a total of three times. What is your thoughts? Thank you!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

@@pappysprite I’ve had a few instances when it popped off when glazed over prior to bisque firing it as I think the manufacturer recommended on the label instructions! When in a big pinch I do glaze before re-bisque firing - but I recommend running through a bisque fire again!

[@pappysprite]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Thank you Karan!

[@Bob-Is-A-PotterNow]

Looks like just what I need. A mug I just bisqued has the beginnings of a crack at the base of the handle on the inner side of the connection. I'm also tempted to try drilling a strain relief hole with a tiny carbide bit to help stop the crack from progressing. Thanks for such great suggestion!

[@Bob-Is-A-PotterNow]

Just to follow-up: Filled the small crack in the mug handle; glazed and fired to ^5, and all is absolutely great. Thanks again for the tutorial.

[@bungawarrahlima8816]

@@Bob-Is-A-PotterNow can we see a picture?

[@Bob-Is-A-PotterNow]

@@bungawarrahlima8816 Sorry, that mug is long gone to a family member in another country. That said, overall when needed, bisque fix has been miraculous.

[@helenangus1675]

Thank you so much Karen. Love all your practical suggestions. Hello from Tasmania.

[@la_cototo]

Thank you for this video. I wasn't sure to buy that amaco bisque fix because it's a little expensive, but it's just what I need for a pice with cracks and I didn't want to make it all again. So, thank you again, was really helpfull

[@julipolito7761]

Omg! Great tip! Thanks, Karan! You rock! Juli in Tucson, AZ 🌵🌵🌵

[@134679jen]

Thank you so much for all your videos! They are all very helpful. I wish I could have been one of your students.

[@RoosterPootPottery]

Enjoying your videos!

[@marilynjackson5752]

Thanks, I have a piece that didn't make it through the bisque, so I'll try this!

[@SAKSOON]

4:33 I'm sorry, I actually laughed when you were trying to open the bisque fix😂😂😂 because that always happens to me every time I open a new bottle of glaze 😂😂😂😂 Anyways, thank you so much for this wonderful video 💗

[@rexfetzer3430]

Thank you for your quick reply :-)

[@rexfetzer3430]

Can you reconstitute Bisque fix that has completely dried in the bottle

[@JuneMay6844]

Thank you very much😊

[@andromedastern8812]

hey there, thx for your video. I've got a question about the teapot. - Won't it break during next fire again, without a ventil? And other question. I had a cup a patient made. First fire worked fine, but when I put it in second time with glaze, it cracked from top to bottom straight- but it wasn't the spot he put the slab together.... do you have any idea what happend there? Thx so much! Greetings from Germany.

[@lynneyoung800]

I can’t bear to break up or throw away something I’ve hand built so any real ‘disasters’ go in my garden, then if nature breaks them (frost) I don’t mind. I’ve got lots of bird baths in the form of bowls that dripped glaze too much and masks nestled in trees and at the backs of borders. 😄

[@micheledickey4066]

What a great idea!! I just unloaded a huge kiln full of bisque and several pieces have just the slightest crack but they are on the foot where I can’t put glaze over it to try and see if that will cover it. I may have to make a tiered garden feature of some kind because my pieces are small oval and rectangle platters!!

[@jinceramics7568]

Thanks again for a very informative video. I have a question- I picked up some of my things from being bisque fired and noticed the rims of a plate, cup and syrup jug had some small chips - not cracks, but chipped, as if something had hit it! 1. Could that happen while being bisque fired? Or 2. Would that happen from handling and not being super careful? Thank you 🙏🏾

[@jameslawson6245]

As an aspiring Potter I know when the Bisqueware is cracked, My technique is to Flick the piece to hear the Sound. I have a bowl recently after Flicking, it was a Thud... It is cracked! I want to save and fix the crack and Paint it with acrylic...

[@alecorzo4794]

Great!!! thanks for sharing all this...can you fix cracked wen it is dry but not bisque?

[@foxylovesterry]

I wasn't aware of Amaco bisque fix and I've purchased Marx Mender. Is it a similar product to be used the same way?

[@chandnijanardhan7017]

A very useful video to fix cracks, thank you so much . Just wanted to know, if the repaired bisque item needs to be fired again before glazing, or can you dip it in the glaze once the bisque fix has dried?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I have found it works best to bisque prior to firing. I think it holds better.

[@Thykindomcome]

repairing a birds beak, planning to dry brush. Will this work in my case or is this only for repairing then putting back in kiln?

[@zeynepgedikoglu9546]

I am wondering what will happen if I don't fire after I use this to repair my sculpture. The head of the figure came out broken from the kiln. I will not glaze the piece, so may I just use it to air dry to hold the figure together?

[@harishshah2510]

do you have to bisque fire again? Or glaze and fire, Would the crack line seen after glaze fire?

[@thefunnything4766]

I wish you had a follow-up with the finished pieces so we can see how they turned out.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Because the pieces were not my personal pieces, and the students glaze them themselves, and I didn’t do a video on that, I didn’t do the follow up finished fired video. I do however have many videos on glazing and glaze results.

[@LunkyMonkey11]

Thank you for the advice! First year high school ceramics teacher and this is going to put a lot of smiles on my kids faces. After you patch do you fire it again or go and glaze it right away?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Bisque fire it again!!

[@LunkyMonkey11]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Thank you! I couldn’t find anywhere that it said to bisque fire again or not. Just fire it as a normal bisque fire? Nothing fancy?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

@@LunkyMonkey11 Right. Just stick it in another bisque you might be running!

[@ginafeddersen8200]

A great video on how to fix a crack after bisque firing! Would you have tips for cracks after glaze firing? 😊😊

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Oh, yikes... depending on where the crack is, you may be able to epoxy it. (Like at the base of a handle or something) But, if it would interfere with food/functionality, I would probably recommend just discarding it and making a new one. Not the best thing to hear, I know...

[@ginafeddersen8200]

KaransPotsAndGlass Thanks for your reply. 😊 Yes I did read that about epoxy! My vessels are not for food, only decoration as they are Raku fired once glazed. It is so heart breaking if a crack appears, as all my vessels are handbuilt, I try to make sure they are well made. 😊

[@judydell6224]

Can you use bisque fix before it is bisque fired? I have a tiny crack and don't know whether to wait until after it's fired, or put some on before.

[@ragazzinayankee]

Hello! I looooooooove your classes!!! (I got covid bad, and even when being an athlete left me a heart issue, some weird tachycardia now in treatment that I will totaly beat and I keep myself busy with no strenuous fun and decided to try pottery!) I learned a Lot from you!!! I use black clay, would this work? Would work on greenware? Thank you SO MUCH for giving us the chance to learn from somebody with your experience and love. (You are a high school teacher! My hat is off. You are giving them very important life tools, the chance to enjoy and fall in love with arts but also to maybe have their own studio and business some day. They are very lucky kids, I sure hope they know it.)

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

So glad you tried pottery during your recovery- hopefully it will be a life-long endeavor now! I’ve never used the bisque fix on black clay. I would imagine it would work, but may leave a white line.

[@ragazzinayankee]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Ohhhhhhhh yes!!! I'm in love, the feel of the clay, the satisfaction when a piece comes together, the amazement Every Time I "play with clay" thinking how it can take Any shape and be whatever we want, how ancients did, how they figured out what it has become an art, solidified soil, gifts for our friends that will stand time (hopefully!) or being something we can actually use. I made mugs, small plates, berry bowls... Now the glaze, oxides, terra sigillata, it is sooooooo much to learn and to "play" with!!! This clay I'm using even has a soft petrichor, so every time, "pottery time" is memories of rain, an energizing aroma, FUN!. I'm just fascinated. I even got a small (affordable) pottery wheel to jump into learning. So, I bet it would be a long life endeavor!!! Thank you soooooooo much for the information and all the quarantine videos!!!

[@2degucitas]

​@@ragazzinayankee Has your heart issues improved? I've never heard of black clay!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Black clay is very cool, but many varieties have a lot of health concerns. I recommend the black clay which is stained through iron oxide as opposed to manganese. Manganese black clay can be very dangerous to work with.

[@2degucitas]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass thanks

[@fionamarsh5632]

Hi there, thanks so much for your video. Does this same product work on earthenware too?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Yes, it does! However, if it is red earthenware, you will have a visible white mark if it shows!

[@harishshah2510]

crack on the platter : do you fill the crack from both sides?

[@boostedhobbit]

Great vid!! Question for that adorable tea pot without a vent in the handle - you have applied the bisque, glazed, and have fired. What prevents the handle from re-breaking during the glaze fire if there is still not a vent? Is it possible for it to do the same thing after re-attaching it? Thanks!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

That wouldn’t really be a concern after bisque. The handle popped off because there was water vapor within the negative space of the greenware handle and it turned to steam and popped it off. Had I fired it with a longer preheat that may not have happened. Typically, glaze firings don’t have that issue- it’s normally just bisque. The only time I had the issue in a glaze fire was when a kid put a just-glazed raku pot in the raku kiln and it didn’t have time to dry out!

[@boostedhobbit]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Ahhhh! Thank you so much for such a detailed response - that makes so much sense. I switched from encaustic to ceramics and still have the mindset that if there is a single bubble in the clay or an area I forgot to vent, everything will explode in a grandiose fashion. It’s really about the moisture build up. I have been running my kiln with an hour preheat and so far I’ve only had one thing get surface cracks, and I believe moisture was the problem. I was afraid to glaze and fire but you are right. Thank you again for such a detailed response.

[@suzieduchesneau8271]

Very interesting video! Is there a way to repair cracks on a glazed dinnerware piece??

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Suzie- I would say no- not really a feasible way to repair cracked dinnerware to bring it back to food safe. I usually recommend just glue it and use it decoratively. Sorry~

[@sparhawk3473]

One more question. I have a three branch tree. Every time I fire the three branches the large bottom branch cracks. I also make it thicker. No luck. Such a disappointment when it cracks especially it takes a week to actually pour and do this tree. Thanks so much. You are so talented...

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hard to understand without the visual. Sounds like it just doesn't have enough support in the design of it.

[@Miss_Maddam]

Can you glaze after using Bisque Fix or other glues to fix cracks?

[@caroleaton8237]

Very informative video Karan. Thanks 😊 I use Bisque Fix but not that often. My problem is that it drys out in the jar and can’t be rehydrated. I cover the top with plastic wrap but the drying still occurs. I’d like to find out if you have any tips or advice to keep this from happening.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Carol- before you put the lid on, try adding about a teaspoon of water to the top of it and let it sit on there. Maybe that will help keep it hydrated? I also try to open mine every once in a while to add water just to keep it useable. I hate it when it dries up!!!

[@caroleaton8237]

KaransPotsAndGlass I’ll try adding the water on top. My Bisque Fix is at the local college and it’s closed now. I hope it doesn’t dry out while we have no classes. It’s too expensive to waste. Thanks again for the tip. 😊

[@EveVenters]

I have a large Vessel sink. Around the area where I attached my pieces with slip it has some cracks. It has been fired once. I was planning on glazing but afraid it will crack even more. Would it help for me to use the bisque Fix ? And would I have to fire it again before put the glazeing. Please help

[@crystallacasse1647]

Would this also work for a little hole? I have a little hole that crumbled inwards and I love it so much I don’t want to toss would love to fix ❤️

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

It’s worth a shot!! :) I’d say I have a minimum of 60% success in saving my pieces!

[@billyesinger2920]

Do you have to make sure their is a vent hole the second time around? I forgot and bisqued fired and the handles exploded. But if I use Bisque fix, don't I have to make sure there is a vent hole? I fire to cone 5.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

No- the vent hole is not necessary during glaze. Truly, it isn't necessary during bisque either if the pieces are dry enough. It's the pressure from the trapped water vapor which causes the handles to pop.

[@anneliserosas9509]

Hi! Can you add underglaze on top of the bisque fix to hide it or will it still show under the underglaze?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Depending on the color it may hide it! I’d just make sure it is an opaque color!!

[@sparhawk3473]

Does this work on the new slip?. Ceramic owner told me this new slip doesn't have as much chalk as the old kind of slip. Takes longer to set up in the casting mold. That company went out if business. Appreciate your help on this.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

No idea, sorry- I don't do casting!

[@heididerksen8227]

Hello question for you can you use this stuff on bone dry stuff that you can see a crack in the piece before firing

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

It is designed for something already bisque fired! You could use slip, vinegar, and paper pulp if it is just bone dry!

[@heididerksen8227]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass thank you

[@2degucitas]

My art teacher impressed on us NOT to stir paint or similar with a brush. It ruins the brush fibers. Use a stir stick, popsicle stick, etc. instead.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Not a bad idea- depending on how thick your substance is- I’m sure it could cause damage with enough use. I’ve not personally had any issues in my 35 years of pottery making.

[@magicnoddles134]

Hey so I made a wheel thrown bowl it went through the kiln and became Bisque ware came out fine no cracks. However when I went to glaze it, it came out of the kiln cracked. I need to find a way to fix the crack. It also has to withstand the heat of the kiln. I need to put it back in for a 3rd time for what I’m doing with it.

[@magicnoddles134]

I was thinking if I where to take bone dry clay and mash it into a sand like Consistency and then fire it to bisque ware. Then mix it with some glaze to form a putty. To then fill the crack. Kinda like how wood glue is made. But for pottery. Not sure if that would work?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Not sure of that method- but bisque fix should work!

[@anastasiasaroukou4144]

Πολυ χρησιμο.Μπορουμε μετα να περασουμε γυαλι η σμαλτο?

[@danniellebalog93]

What do you suggest if I want to attached a bird bisque to a garden gnome? This product ?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

two part epoxy after firing

[@rexfetzer3430]

Will oxide grab onto he bisque fix like a crack or will it act like regular Clay?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I’ve honestly not used only oxide over bisque fix- only glaze- so I don’t have personal experience to say one way or the other- sorry!

[@toniesolomon]

hello miss karen say if some one made like a mug or pitcher or anything and it cracks in the drying process before firing it how can it be fixed can u use this product?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Tonie- No- this one won't work... It is always better to try to fix a crack prior to firing. If you have a damp box (see video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4bGfaOqhZmKotE ) you could rehydrate a piece in there for several days to bring it back to leatherhard, then score slip and add a bit of clay into the crack to make the repair. Short of bringing it back to leatherhard, there is a product- I think it is also in my googledoc of links, called APT II Ceramic Enhancer which can be added to slip to help fil a crack. Bringing it back to leatherhard is always the best solution though for best results. If no damp box is available, you could try a damp towel and wrap it all in a bag. Not too much water though on that towel- if it is too moist, it will actually break it down like it is recycling it. Looks like another video I need to shoot! :)

[@toniesolomon]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass thx that would be helpful

[@annettemeglino7232]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass I am dealing with this right now. I have a few mugs that cracked right as the handles are bending not at the join. They are almost bone dry at this point. I have spent time carving them and really would like to salvage them if I could. Do you still suggest to bring them back to leather-hard stage and try slip in the crack? Please, please help!!!

[@aldiener]

Can you please tell me what you would recommend for a cracked yellow ware bowl?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

To my knowledge, no repair on an existing glazed piece will be food safe. I would just use epoxy and use it as a decorative piece.

[@heatherbrocious2409]

Any suggestions on splintering on finished pieces?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Cracks on finished fired pieces can be filled with epoxy or even spackle- and painted with acrylics. Those items won't be safe for food if the cracks are in any location that could come into contact with the food surfaces.

[@wendygood1293]

I've made a plate, but I can see a crack in the rim as it is drying. Should I bisque it and try to fix it afterward? Is there something I can do before I bisque it?

[@SuesOriginals]

Wendy Good there is another product similar to Bisque Fix that works on greenware. I think it’s called Magic Mender.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

It’s always better to try to fix prior to firing. If you have a damp box- (I have another video on how to make those- I can link it below- you could put it in there for several days and bring it back to leatherhard. Then, score, slip, and add a bit of clay into the crack. Short of bringing it back to leatherhard, you could also use what Sue said above, or Apt II Ceramic enhancer- you can mix it with slip and try to film the crack. Bringing it back to leatherhard is the best solution though. If no damp box, you could try a slightly moistened towel with it wrapped in a bag. It can only be a little moist however! Too much water too quickly will break down the clay!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Here’s the damp box video! Making Damp Boxes for Ceramics and Pottery from Plaster and a Plastic Bin kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4bGfaOqhZmKotE

[@mariajohnson1769]

Can this work for a repair to a finished product that was broken and close to an inner surface used for food?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

It is for bisque ware- not glazed ware! :)

[@mariajohnson1769]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass thank you for the response. Do you know of any product that can achieve the repair that I want and the piece still used for food or is it a lost cause beyond safe repair?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I’ve never known of anything which can mend and keep it food safe- sorry!! 😢

[@mariajohnson1769]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass thanks for all the timely responses. I did enjoy your video 👍🏼.

[@ambermeckley9439]

Is there a solution if slips applied to bisqueware crack off?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I don't have a solution for that- It could be an application issue- like the slip was put on too thick on greenware that was too dry, or perhaps a shrinkage problem- like slip that has a different shrink rate than the claybody.

[@hussicots]

Wouldn’t the hollow handle explode again?

[@SuesOriginals]

Jennifer Huss I thought the same thing. I would have drilled a vent hole.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Good question- no- once it is bisque fired it’s not a problem! No trapped steam to explode it anymore! Bisque fired clay is quite porous!

[@apoll7]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Yes but when it's glazed fired, won't the clay vitrify and explode then from air pressure buildup?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

100%!

[@lizmikols2075]

Isn't the handle still without an air hole?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Yes- but it’s the steam that blew it off during bisque. That isn’t a concern at this point! :)

[@bungawarrahlima8816]

Can we see a picture of the glazed pieces?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I do not have the glazed examples of those in video, because they were student pieces, and I was just making the repair for the students. I did not glaze them myself.

[@delsonmartin9166]

result after firing?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

The results were just reattached broken pieces. Then my students glazed them!

[@jtreg]

Nice friendly intro but really too much waffle. I would skip the first couple of minutes, apart from that, useful information, thanks!

[@donnagrammas7584]

I've never BF at that consistency. Mine has always been putty like. And it always goes hard quickly. I feel robbed.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I know what you mean, Donna! Put some water on the top when you get it- and periodically mix and thin it!

[@susanbrewster5841]

When it arrived in an Amazon plastic pouch, it’s lid was broken, and the contents were rapidly drying out- very poor packing from Amaco! The replacement jar arrived in a box, but it’s lid was also damaged, with a loss of about a third of the contents.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Oh, my goodness, well, they should certainly make good on it. Sounds like an Amazon issue rather than the product... or if Amaco shipped, they need to learn to do better!! Just a tip, from time to time, I add a tsp of water to the top of it before I put the plastic on before I screw the lid back on. It helps to replenish the moisture it may have lost, then I stir well before using the next time. They might allow you to just keep the second one, (and send another replacement) and you may be able to revive it!

[@johnonorgan]

How to say 100 words in a 1000

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Ouch… but 100 words wouldn’t be much of an explanation…

[@johnonorgan]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass actuallly 50 could do it