Handling ceramic and glass items undoubtedly demands extra caution. This is because ceramic and glass items are not only fragile but can also be expensive. It is advisable, therefore, to look for the best quality design for your displays and usage as one way of minimising breakages.
This article provides some ideas on how to enhance the life span of your ceramics through proper maintenance and general care of ceramic and glass items.
Detection of Old Restorations
Before you use or come into contact with a ceramic or glass item, you need to check whether it has been repaired before. A repaired item tends to get weaker with time as opposed to an unbroken item. Restored items require more care and gentleness.
It is easy for you to notice a ceramic that has been restored. This is because the paints and the adhesives applied may cause a change in colour. At times it appears to be challenging to identify the repairs. Still, when you hold the item in ultraviolet light, you notice the fault lines. These items need to be handled with great care as a second restoration may be impossible to pull off.
Learn How to Handle These Items
Glass items have recommended handling instructions. You must ensure you are holding them by their handles since they can easily suffer cracks or complete damage. It’s also advisable to remove any wobbly parts such as lids.
Additionally, you need to ensure you are using both hands when lifting the items if they so demand. Besides, you should consider avoiding wearing gloves when holding these items as your bare skin can afford a better, tighter grasp. This reduces any chance of the items slipping from your hands.
Exposing Items to Moderate Heat
Glass and ceramic items are not particularly sensitive to variation in humidity and light as some other items are. It is easier to exhibit and store items in good condition, together with other collections.
However, you must keep them away from excessive temperatures as fluctuating heat may lead to cracks and breakages. Ultraviolet radiation is also known to have an impact on glass, causing it to turn purple due to the presence of bleaching agents.
Proper Storage
The way glass and ceramic items are stored determines the level at which they can be protected from breaking. For you to minimise the breakages, you need to keep the pieces away from dusty areas as a way of avoiding regular cleaning, which results in physical damage.
Items that cannot stand on their own need to be placed on stable surfaces or reinforced to avoid any movement. Better still, these items may be placed in cupboards that do not experience constant disturbances.