Sustainable System Repair Project

To repair my broken ashtray, I have tried

Using CA Glue

I purchased CA glue from ZAP which claimed to glue glasses. The result was failure, as CA glue didn’t have enough

body to fill the gap. (refer to figure 1) CA glue did joint part of the broken part, where two pieces were directly

contacting, but the bondage was not strong enough to be used functionally. Also during the removal of remaining

glue handle part had further damage.

(CA Glue from Blick “ZAP Adhesive” $ 8.39/ $ 8.39)

Using Rubber Cement and CA Glue

Most of adhesives with strong bondage has lighter body; I knew that tacky glue could fill the gap but will not

provide strong enough bondage. So I chose to fill the gap with rubber cement and glue the rubber cement onto two

broken pieces. I masked each surfaces to prevent further damages, and applied CA glue and then applied rubber

cement. But the rubber cement was reacting to CA glue in a way that it is not formable (which is to fill the gap).

(Rubber Cement from Staples “Elmer’s Rubber Cement” $ 3.99/ $ 12.38)

Using Pine Sap

This idea was taken from our guest artist, Tattfoo Tan; he showed us an example of pine sap used as a plaster and

adhesive. So I ordered a small amount of pine sap from Etsy (click to see the product) and I am still awaiting for it to

arrive from Bulgaria.

(Pine Sap from Bulgaria $ 7.38/ $ 19.76)

Using Clay and CA glue

This was little alternation I did to rubber cement solution. Thankfully clay does not react to CA glue so I did all the

preparation I did previously, including more detailed masking. Clay cured filling the gap but the clay part was too thin

so that the clay itself didn’t have enough strength to hold two pieces.

(Prima Plastilina from Blick $ 12.50/ $ 32.26)

Using Glass Torch (Interview with Glass Artist Cathy Chung)

I met Cathy Chung through my friend, she described herself as a “crafter” and she had experience with glass art which

involves fusing glass together using glass torch. When I told her that I am trying to fix Bohemian glass ash tray made by

Moser she said it would be very challenging as Moser uses very pure crystal which has to be heated gradually to the very

high temperature else it may shatter. Meaning that I have to melt either part of my ash tray and form it by myself but as I

have very limited access to the furnace, it would be very unpleasable to do so. While the travel my handle part was lost.

Using Two Parts Epoxy Glue and Charcoal Power

I decided to pursue more artistic approach with the project. I used two parts epoxy glue on the inner surface of the bottom

piece and dipped in charcoal power, I continued this process over and over again to flatten the surface from shattered part. I

then CA glued perfume in the centre where the handle used to take a place and applied more and more layers of glue and

charcoal powder so that it can form earthy feel to it, so that it can give its users an illusion that they are putting cigarette off dirt.

Also charcoal gave a great body to the epoxy glue. People also can wear perfume after their smoke.

Yeong Jin CHOI (Marc)