Post #366432 by danlovestikis on Wed, Mar 12, 2008 10:49 AM

Hi Koolau, you can find all the products that I've used over the years on my web page http://www.claytikis.com but here's the best advice for repairing chips, hairlines can be hidden but not very well.

The best product ever invented is Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler. I place some, more than needed into the chip space. Then I lightly spray it with water and smooth it with my finger and let it dry. It will shrink some so I do it a second time. You can use a fine grain sandpaper to finish it off if needed.

I use two types of paints that can even be mixed to get the right color. One is Liquitex Acrylic Artist Color and the other is Liquitex glossies (this is enamel). Both are carried by Michael's national chain or can be ordered through Dick Blick's artist catalog. Never use student paints they always are filled with too much water to make them cheap.

To seal the paint isn't necessary when using only the enamel but it is with any mix that has just Acrylic paint.

The best seal I've found is concrete sealer. You need to test it first because some existing paints could come off with this. It doesn't effect the two types of Liquitex. My next favorite for glossy surfaces is clear nail polish which is again enamel. I've had bad luck with spray sealers staying sticky.

I repaired so many chips for Dan's collection that I decided to start doing tiki art full time (when not at my day job). We are having so much fun both with art and collecting.

If you want to start a repair thread feel free to copy any part of this.

Just for fun here are a few images taken during the sculpting of my Tiki Crate Bowl.



I decided that larger tikis were better for the bowl. That thread is under Tiki Crate

Thank you for looking, Wendy