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,

41 comments:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  26. 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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  27. 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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  28. Bill, I have done the same thing. I think it just adds character to the old glassware.
    Susan

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

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  30. 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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  31. 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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  32. 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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  33. 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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  34. 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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  35. 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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  36. Bill, that was very helpful!
    Wonderful post! Thank you so much!

    Greet

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  37. 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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  38. 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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  39. 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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  40. 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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