alpentolic Posted December 18, 2020 Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 Hello and thanks so much in advance. I'm a newbie to working with ceramics of any kind, but I should say I'm otherwise pretty handy and have some general ideas on this project. Just looking for more experienced opinions or tips. I'm restoring this large ceramic panther table base. It isn't in terrible shape overall but there are numerous chips and a couple small holes, which I've already begun filling with a mesh backing from the inside and building filler into it. I'm pretty comfortable with filling and smoothing to get it in structural shape again. Where I'm unsure is in the best way to repaint. I've done many motorcycle tanks but they are pretty foolproof as long as I take my time and wet sand the whole process. I'm guessing this piece isn't glazed, since I can see the cracking of a clear coat. My first guess is to fill and smooth, then scuff the remaining clear coat and repaint in black. Then applying a quality clear after and sanding/polishing back to a shine. I would also guess it wouldn't turn out right if I tried to just paint the repaired areas, since it wouldn't look totally uniform and matching blacks is super hard, especially with rattle cans. Sorry for the novel, and thanks again! [img]https://i.imgur.com/VuijH4z.jpg[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/4ntwBn0.jpg[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/hZ9w0bV.jpg[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/NGG38Wg.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted December 19, 2020 Report Share Posted December 19, 2020 If it's ceramic, it's not painted, it's glazed. There's no way to re-glaze it, so do whatever works. If that means bondo or whatever to fill holes, that's fine. Then find a paint that will stick to the glaze. Glaze is a form of glass, so anything that'll work on glass. Epoxy? You may need to sand it or sandblast it to take the shine off so the paint adheres better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted December 19, 2020 Report Share Posted December 19, 2020 19 hours ago, alpentolic said: I would also guess it wouldn't turn out right if I tried to just paint the repaired areas, since it wouldn't look totally uniform and matching blacks is super hard, especially with rattle cans. As a former air brusher, motor cycle tank and car painter, I would agree, you got this. Rattle cans not great but any filler you are comfortable with likely all good. if you had access to a spray gun, primer surfacer can make the task of making it smooth much easier. Evercoat feather fill sure made things easy. A little patience even rattle cans can create a nice smooth gloss. 1000 grit works wonders and tack cloths are your friend. Ps - paint the whole thing, you are not matching it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpentolic Posted December 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 Wasn't sure if my original photos were accessible. Hopefully now. Also, proving what a newbie I am, can someone look at the inside and tell me if this would be considered ceramic at all? It has a mesh like fiberglass, but definitely some kind of plaster filler. Is this just a fiberglass molded sculpture and I'm bothering ceramic professionals with advice? If it is fiberglass it would just be painted and clearcoated right? Thanks again for all of your patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 It looks like it’s plaster with a fibreglass coating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted December 21, 2020 Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 7 hours ago, alpentolic said: Is this just a fiberglass molded sculpture and I'm bothering ceramic professionals with advice Yep fiberglass. Continue your repair, you are doing just fine. Don’t put those in a kiln Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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