Sunday, September 20, 2009

No More Chigger Bites!

It's time for Metamorphosis Monday with our gracious hostess, Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Check out all the great transformations and say hello to the ever gracious and charming Susan!

This is a small change, but one that can turn a ruined piece of crystal stemware into one that can be used and enjoyed.

Below is an example of a rim chip, or a "flea bite" (or here in the South, a "chigger bite"). It's not only unattractive ... it's downright dangerous! I bought a set of beautiful vintage crystal at an estate sale and hated to throw away the ones with flaws. I searched online and found that there are companies that repair chipped crystal by grinding and polishing away the chips.


I also found a company that sells special files for this purpose. I decided to try the ones from beauty supply stores. I bought a variety of "grits." It's the same principle as sanding furniture ... beginning with very gritty and ending up with very fine to achieve a smooth surface.

The glass will never be perfect again. This process just results in a glass that can be used without risk of injury to the user. It causes a slight "dip" where the chip is filed down. A glass like the one below (the pattern is "Caprice" by Cambridge, vintage "Elegant Glass Era" stemware) works well because the pattern helps hide the repair.

Here's how to hold the file. In reality, this is a two-handed job, but I couldn't hold the glass AND take the photograph! I've "improved" a lot of glassware using this method. I've only broken one stem, and that was one of the very first I undertook. You'll learn by doing how hard to press. It takes a fair amount of elbow grease in the first stage. I always keep the rim of the glass wet while I'm filing ... it seems to help the process along.

 Here it is below ... almost finished. Note the glass dust mixed with water running down the side of the glass.

 And here it is (lower left) ready for use in my next tablescape. This is a sneak preview!


I hope that was helpful. Let me know if you have suggestions or comments!

Warm regards,

Posted by at

41 comments:

  1. Tammy518September 20, 2009 at 6:53 PM

    That is so cool! I never would have thought you could file a glass down like that and save it.

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  2. nannykim at spindle cottageSeptember 20, 2009 at 6:55 PM

    Ohhh--I was just at an antique shop on Friday and it had some really nice lacy-like glasses, but they had small chips on the top. Can you tell me where you got the files (what kind of beauty shop or whatever and how many different files you have to use?) For my Met monday I did a silver bowl over which was inspired by all the things you have told us about wright's polish ;-)

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  3. PegSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:00 PM

    Never thought of this, but I'll remember your post the next time I have chippy glass. Thanks, Bill!

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  4. BethSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:20 PM

    When I saw the title of your post I thought to myself "Oh no! What in the world has Bill been doing and where has he been to get chigger bites?" LOL

    I never knew you could file down chips and repair glass. Thanks for the tip.

    I hope you have a great week! It's still raining here. Wondering if I need to start building an ark? Or buy a boat!

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  5. SharlotteSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:32 PM

    Thanks Bill for the tutorial. This is good to know. I'll file this post for future reference.

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:32 PM

    That is a fantastic tip!! I have a few crystal pieces that need a little filing done on them!

    Pretty table setting also- so elegant and yet simple -

    blessings
    mary

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  7. MarthaSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:41 PM

    I've not known about that -- thanks for the useful information.

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  8. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:48 PM

    Hi Dear Bill! Oh, I've heard of filing down a chip but have never done it. Thanks for all of the tips. Can't wait to see your tablescape - they're always beautiful. Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  9. Lady KatherineSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:51 PM

    This was wonderful! I have a drill that carries small bands in different levels of grit, I bet it would work great! The drill is used for artificial nails. Thanks for the great info. I have given away so many older patterns because of chips, and felt bad not giving the whole set, so off the sets went! lol Now I can keep them all if only I could get so more shelves in the attic. lol

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  10. bjSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM

    I had no idea chips could be fixed in this manner, Bill. You are so indeed a fella that knows his way around a lot of things. You have me watching the newspaper for storage units that might be holding sales..Hahaaahh...I never knew about this, either, until you told us. Just amazing. See, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!! :O)
    Happy evening, bj

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  11. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeSeptember 20, 2009 at 8:05 PM

    What great information. I have thrown away some very lovely things just because they had a chip and had no idea they could be repaired. Thanks so much for the tutorial. Hugs, Marty

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  12. Lori ESeptember 20, 2009 at 9:02 PM

    It is good to know that when I am drinking my wine I don't have to be the only "dip" at the table.
    Honestly though none of my wine glasses would be worth the the effort. I buy glasses that can fit in the dishwasher with no ill effects because we go through a LOT of them with our guests. I do however believe in the right glass for the specific wine. Taste buds and all.

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  13. SarahSeptember 20, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    Bill, this is welcome information. I have a couple of pieces of stemware that need a little chip filed down. I'm going to give this a try. Looking forward to seeing the table on Thursday. I'm getting one ready for this week too. My Met Monday is my centerpiece. Thanks again for the tutorial. ~ Sarah

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  14. ClaudiaSeptember 20, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    Hi Bill-- I have seen your very wonderful complements on several sites we obviously both visit.

    Thanks so much for the tutorial on the chip fixing-- I know I will use this!

    If you ever have time I would love you to stop by and visit!

    TTFN ~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

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  15. My name is RietSeptember 20, 2009 at 10:24 PM

    Hi Bill. Thank you for that great tip and tutorial. Very good idea.
    Have a nice day.
    Riet

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  16. ElaineSeptember 21, 2009 at 12:18 AM

    Bill.....I had no idea that this could be done! To think...the beautiful glassware I oould have saved over the years! Or the pieces I would have bought had I known this. Thanks for the info!
    Elaine :)

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  17. KatSeptember 21, 2009 at 3:02 AM

    I had no idea that this could be done. Do you think a small dremel tool would work? DH has lots of different grit paper for the dremel that he uses in his guitar work. Thanks for the info, I'll be looking at yard sales and antique stores with this in mind. Kathy

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  18. JulieSeptember 21, 2009 at 4:09 AM

    Hi Bill.....I did not know that you could fix glass like this...Thank you for the great tutorial...Looking forward to seeing your table ...
    xoxo
    Julie

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  19. Shanty 2 ChicSeptember 21, 2009 at 4:17 AM

    Hey Bill~
    Thanks so much for the tutorial... I would have never known that you can fix these! Perfect...
    ~Whitney

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  20. KammySeptember 21, 2009 at 4:20 AM

    Hi Bill !
    Yes, that was very helpful...I hate chips !
    Kammy

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  21. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~September 21, 2009 at 4:31 AM

    Hi Bill~ ~Your so clever, a nice repair job you've done on the glass. I love that Cambridge pattern. I own a sugar & creamer set in it done in blue glass and I have always loved it.~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  22. Mid-Atlantic MarthaSeptember 21, 2009 at 5:03 AM

    Oh my! Thanks for this wonderful tip! I'm going to be working on some glasses soon -- I had remembered you had said something earlier about this and I've been waiting for your solution -- you've probably just saved many many glasses in blogland!

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  23. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)September 21, 2009 at 5:23 AM

    Aren't you just so resourceful! Great tip, thanks for sharing with us. Cindy

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  24. RettabugSeptember 21, 2009 at 5:32 AM

    Thank you for the detailed explanation on how to do this type of repair, Bill. I tried to file a chip once with just a tiny brown nail file with less than satisfactory results. I will be anxious to try your method!
    I'm very much looking forward to seeing the rest of your tablescape on Thursday!

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  25. Pat@Back Porch MusingsSeptember 21, 2009 at 7:33 AM

    Thanks so much for this tutorial, Bill!

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  26. susanSeptember 21, 2009 at 9:09 AM

    Necessity is the mother of invention! Thanks for the lesson! Hope you are feeling better :)

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  27. Pam @ FripperySeptember 21, 2009 at 9:10 AM

    Great info Bill. My husband tried using his stained glass sander but it just made things worse. Now I won't pass up beautiful chipped crystal! Thanks so much, Pam

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  28. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2009 at 9:41 AM

    That was a great and very helpful post! I laughed out loud when I read you bought a variety of grits. AKA Girls Raised in the South. Have a super great week. :)

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  29. black eyed susans kitchenSeptember 21, 2009 at 11:05 AM

    Bill, I have done the same thing. I think it just adds character to the old glassware.
    Susan

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  30. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)September 21, 2009 at 1:00 PM

    Great post...really needed this info! Like your sneak preview!

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  31. PaulineSeptember 21, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    I'm amazed!! Thanks Bill...now I don't have to pass up chipped glassware anymore, lol. A great post :o)
    Hugs

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  32. The Country NestSeptember 21, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    Hi Bill,
    What a great idea, I would have never thought of that...and to think of all the glasses I have thrown away.
    Donna

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  33. EileenSeptember 21, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    Oh, that's wonderful! You did a great job!

    I sometimes will buy the chipped glassware I see because I feel sorry for it (I know that sounds so lame), and then I'll use it as a vase or to hold beach glass.
    But now if I can master your technique I can actually use them for their intended purpose!
    Thanks for sharing!

    All the best,
    Eileen

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  34. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiSeptember 21, 2009 at 7:40 PM

    That is a wonderful tool to have! It would be a shame to waste a beautiful crystal glass because of a little chip.

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  35. MarySeptember 21, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    This is great news, Bill. I have some Cambridge and Heisey, as well as Hocking, and had no idea how to repair the flea bites or tiny chips. Like you, I hate throwing anything from the past away, especially if it was made in America, so this will allow those things to be used rather than just put on display. Thanks so much!

    God bless!
    Mary

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  36. BarbaraSeptember 22, 2009 at 3:14 AM

    Bill, I have used the file method before and it usually works. Glad you were able to remove the chip, only you will be able to tell.

    Have a great week.
    Barbara

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  37. Greet LefèvreSeptember 23, 2009 at 2:12 AM

    Bill, that was very helpful!
    Wonderful post! Thank you so much!

    Greet

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  38. LillyBSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    I NEVER knew this could be done!! This was a very informative post!! Thank you for showing us! I bought a red creamer and sugar bowl that has a small chip (I didnt know it had a chip, I bought it from an online auction and when I picked it up surprise!) so all hope is not lost! Have a beautiful day brother and I will ask you again about this glass repair miracle file, when I get moved and unpacked.
    Love Lilly

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  39. Draffin BearsSeptember 23, 2009 at 10:26 PM

    Hi Bill,

    That would have to be the perfect table setting.
    I love the dinner set and the glasses.
    thanks for the tip on getting rid of a chip in a glass. I throw them away and will have to think of this next time.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  40. The TablescaperSeptember 25, 2009 at 5:20 PM

    Great idea. Even when something has a bite, I tend to save it so that if I'm setting a table and I need that extra glass, I set it for myself. But now, I have a better solution. Thanks Bill!

    - The Tablescaper

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  41. JeanneOctober 9, 2010 at 12:12 AM

    Hi,

    I've heard of people smoothing out a chipped glass edge with emery cloth. I don't know if there are different grades of it.

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