Repairing Ivory

David · 11th November 2011, 03:25 PM

I've searched a bit through the archives to no avail. Can anyone suggest what kind of adhesive would be best for repairing a break in ivory?

Rick · 11th November 2011, 03:31 PM

I'd be strongly tempted to use 2 part epoxy .
Very very carefully .

Sorry something broke ...

Battara · 11th November 2011, 03:48 PM

I've had great luck with 2 part epoxy and ivory.

CharlesS · 11th November 2011, 03:56 PM

Battara is a professional restorer, so he knows what he's doing, but if you are not, and really want the restoration done well, I strongy suggest finding a professional that specializes in ivory repair. It is no small feat, and a mistake can make the situation worse. The real problem with restoration of ivory is maintaining the consistent texture and color of what is already there.

....again, no easy feat!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th November 2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I've searched a bit through the archives to no avail. Can anyone suggest what kind of adhesive would be best for repairing a break in ivory?

Salaams, I looked up how to repair cracked or broken ivory piano keys and was impressed with their "fixing kit" and safety tips.... and another idea is if you happen to know a mate who is a dentist ! they have all the right mixtures and equipment to fix teeth ...and are reckoned to be the leading experts. You might want to try on a cheap job first as apparently it takes a bit of practice but even if its not perfect bad jobs can be cleaned out with a fine file and started over. Just tap into search on the web Ivory Repair..

amazing what transpires..Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

ALEX · 11th November 2011, 05:49 PM

David, it also depends on kind of "break". Age cracks better to leave alone and not to fill. if something broke into several pieces - the above recommendation will work. apply the glue near the center, keep it away from edges, not let it come near edges when parts are pressed against each other as you'll need to join them so the gaps will be as small as possible, then fill them with any light and washable adheisive of ivory colour (I use All Purpose Filler or Worktop Joint filler). if done right - it'll be unnoticeable. the same for repairs, see below pix, not the best restoration as it can be seen (the gap still needs to be stained). the top part of the handle was broken and corner missing.
Good luck

eftihis · 11th November 2011, 05:56 PM

I had an expirience with my dentist, who is also a friend, and when i told him if he would like to fix "the biggest piece of teeth that he ever seen"! , he agreed, and he put the special paste that they put in the teeth for the repair of a handle on a cretan bichaq. However, the repair was not perfect because in the part of the handle that was thiner the sun light changed slightly the colour. But i guess if the part to be repaired is somehere else than the end of the handle would have been perfect! Dentists can make exactly the right colour.

David · 11th November 2011, 06:16 PM

No worries gentlemen, this is a very clean break and it is completely below the ferrule so nothing at all of the repair will be visible once the glue sets. Sounds like 2-part epoxy it is. Any particular brand suggestions on this?

Rick · 11th November 2011, 06:22 PM

Devcon 5 minute Epoxy.
You can hold the pieces together until it sets .
Every man his own clamp .

Use only on a hidden break; it yellows over time .

Tim Simmons · 11th November 2011, 06:47 PM

I have had some professonial work done that was really very good. All depends on how in your face the repair area is. This stuff is very good as it can be thinned down with water so a patch or joint can be less obvious. It can be bought in "IVORY" I have not tried to add colour to the material but as it can be thinned with water I see no reason why you could not add a dash of water colour paint and test to match then polish to match.

http://www.milliput.com/about.htm

Well there was once "IVORY" but that is naughty now.

11th November 2011, 03:25 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	Repairing Ivory I've searched a bit through the archives to no avail. Can anyone suggest what kind of adhesive would be best for repairing a break in ivory?

11th November 2011, 05:49 PM	#6
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	David, it also depends on kind of "break". Age cracks better to leave alone and not to fill. if something broke into several pieces - the above recommendation will work. apply the glue near the center, keep it away from edges, not let it come near edges when parts are pressed against each other as you'll need to join them so the gaps will be as small as possible, then fill them with any light and washable adheisive of ivory colour (I use All Purpose Filler or Worktop Joint filler). if done right - it'll be unnoticeable. the same for repairs, see below pix, not the best restoration as it can be seen (the gap still needs to be stained). the top part of the handle was broken and corner missing. Good luck Attached Images

11th November 2011, 06:47 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	I have had some professonial work done that was really very good. All depends on how in your face the repair area is. This stuff is very good as it can be thinned down with water so a patch or joint can be less obvious. It can be bought in "IVORY" I have not tried to add colour to the material but as it can be thinned with water I see no reason why you could not add a dash of water colour paint and test to match then polish to match. http://www.milliput.com/about.htm Well there was once "IVORY" but that is naughty now. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 11th November 2011 at 06:58 PM.

11th November 2011, 03:31 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	I'd be strongly tempted to use 2 part epoxy . Very very carefully . Sorry something broke ...

11th November 2011, 03:48 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	I've had great luck with 2 part epoxy and ivory.

11th November 2011, 03:56 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Battara is a professional restorer, so he knows what he's doing, but if you are not, and really want the restoration done well, I strongy suggest finding a professional that specializes in ivory repair. It is no small feat, and a mistake can make the situation worse. The real problem with restoration of ivory is maintaining the consistent texture and color of what is already there. ....again, no easy feat!

11th November 2011, 05:56 PM	#7
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 507	I had an expirience with my dentist, who is also a friend, and when i told him if he would like to fix "the biggest piece of teeth that he ever seen"! , he agreed, and he put the special paste that they put in the teeth for the repair of a handle on a cretan bichaq. However, the repair was not perfect because in the part of the handle that was thiner the sun light changed slightly the colour. But i guess if the part to be repaired is somehere else than the end of the handle would have been perfect! Dentists can make exactly the right colour.

11th November 2011, 06:16 PM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	No worries gentlemen, this is a very clean break and it is completely below the ferrule so nothing at all of the repair will be visible once the glue sets. Sounds like 2-part epoxy it is. Any particular brand suggestions on this?

11th November 2011, 06:22 PM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Devcon 5 minute Epoxy. You can hold the pieces together until it sets . Every man his own clamp . Use only on a hidden break; it yellows over time .