A late night of "Star Wars Battlefront 2" mixed with booming indie folk comes to a head as a bottle of creme soda collides with a coffee mug; the soda wins. I’m sorry Mama, but I broke your mug and I feel really bad for it. Using extensive knowledge from MacGyver and my own previous mistakes, I create a plan to put it back together.
If you’re in a similar situation to me, here's what you can do to fix the now broken mug handle:
Requirements
-1 (one) broken mug
-A bottle of your super glue of choice (I used Krazy glue, but I’ve heard Gorilla glue is best)
-Nail polish (clear)
-Confidence (Shaky hands will make it worse)
Now that you’ve gathered the materials and your composure, it's time to start fixing!
Step one: Check ya mug
Find all the pieces that have shattered across the floor and make sure they all fit together. It’s OK if you have a small piece missing like me, but if there's a lot you can’t find, you may have to reconsider your options. Making sure the handle fits together and mentally noting which one goes where will help you later on.
Step two: Glue ya mug
Starting with the handle, glue the pieces back together one at a time. You will need to hold the pieces firmly together for about five seconds in order for the glue to bond correctly. Let each piece sit as well before putting the handle together entirely. Once you’ve glued the entire handle on, let it sit overnight to ensure maximum strength.
Step three: Paint ya mug
This part is optional, but recommended if you have a piece missing. Painting over a chip can smooth it out and prevent further damage. If you’ve used nail polish before, you’re at an advantage, unlike me, I’ve only ever been the paintee. I would recommend not using a lot of paint and going twice over the cracks after allowing the paint to dry the first time.
Step four: You fixed ya mug
After allowing the paint to dry, your mug is ready to be used again! I was pretty nervous about the integrity, but after filling it with water and swinging it around, I felt better. Unless you did an ace job painting the cracks, there will always be a roughness to the handle because, well, it's broken. If you really want your mug restored properly, or you don't feel confident enough to do it yourself, you can always take it to a ceramic repair shop. This can usually end up being pretty expensive, so its not always an option for those on a budget. Enjoy your (nearly) brand new mug, and be more careful next time!
