File chip crystal glass

An alternative is to take or send the damaged piece to a professional crystal repair service and from what we've seen at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute , it's pretty amazing what they can do! To see just how skilled these craftsmen are, we sent several dinged glasses to a few shops. Our glasses with chipped rims were evenly filed down until the chips disappeared.

We did notice they were microscopically shorter than their unrepaired mates, but on a set table, we couldn't detect a difference. Tiny cracks were filled with a sealing compound. A faint line was still visible, but that's about the best you can really expect.

Large chips and cracks and actual breaks can be repaired so the item looks whole, but such a repair is not. Wash any repaired crystal item by hand instead of in the dishwasher. Use lukewarm water, handle it carefully, and don't twist or exert pressure on the piece when drying it. For more Thanksgiving table prep help, check out our online tips about caring for china and crystal and our report on the best silver polishes.

To see how we test all the products we recommend, sign up for a tour of our Good Housekeeping Research Institute. Product Reviews. Crystal glassware and dishes are often saved for times when you really want your table to look its best. So it can be discouraging when your best crystal glassware is chipped. You might also be concerned about the safety of drinking out of a chipped glass.

Fortunately, there's no need to keep your chipped crystal hidden away in a cupboard. It's easy to restore your glassware to near-perfect beauty and utility.

Moisten a diamond file with water and glide it back and forth along the edges of the chip in long, smooth strokes. Repeat this action until the sharp edges are smooth and the appearance of your chip is minimized. Wet a piece of grit sandpaper and wrap it around the eraser of a pencil. Gently rub the chipped area until you have smoothed the edges of the chip.

Apply a clear glass adhesive to fix the crystal if you have the missing chip and it fits snugly to the glass. Place one drop of adhesive onto the glass per square inch of chipped area.