Do you have to repair cracked gourds?
Learn how fractured cracks, wormholes, and broken or missing stems can all be repaired on your gourds.
You pick up a beautifully shaped gourd and discover an insect hole or even a fracture crack as you turn it around. This frustrating experience is all part of gourd art. But relax; with some unique products, you can learn to repair most of these flaws.
Keep in mind, most flaws should be fixed after you have cleaned and sanded the surface. This way, you can see the damage.Here are my tips for repairing cracked gourds.
Repairing Cracked Gourds
Stop the Gourd Crack First
Before you use any product, you must stop the crack from growing with a process called “stop drilling.” You will need to drill a tiny hole – about 1/8″ in diameter – just past the ends of the crack. This hole will relieve the stresses placed on the gourd and keep the break from expanding.
Now you can decide which product will work best for the flaw. If you paint, dye, or stain the surface, you can consider products that won't react to the color.
Repairing Cracked Gourds
Repairing Small Cracks with Wood Glues
These wood glue products work on gourds that will not be colored. The Latex glue in the Golden Oak will match the gourd color. With the Quikwood, knead it well to mix both colors. When finished, sand the surface well.
DAP 582 Series 00582 6oz Gold Latex Plastic Wood, 6 OZ, Golden Oak
Amazon $7
If you are repairing a cracked gourd that will be colored, then you will need to consider the product used. Look for a bonding glue that will not disturb the paint or dye. Many will work. Just make sure the bond dries clear.
GourdMaster™ Gourd Glue is great for repairing small cracks or replacing broken gourd stems. $5
Bonnie Gibson recommends the Insta-Cure+ Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue).
Just store this one in the refrigerator!
Use the bonding glues to repair Long Gourd Cracks
First, carefully open the crack as much as possible and clean it out well. Now work your glue into the gap. Be sure to cover all of the exposed fiber. Squeeze the two sides of the crack back together carefully, wiping up any excess glue (there should be quite a bit) which oozes out of the crack.
You may have to clamp the repair with electrical, masking, or duct tape while the glue dries. The closer together you can bring the edges of the crack, the better the repair will look.
Use lots of tape. Use long pieces of tape beginning at least 6″ from one side of the fracture, across the crack, and then 6″ past the crack. Stretch the tape as you pull the gourd back together. The stretching acts as a clamp keeping the two halves of the gourd together and joined. Ensure the crack is closed properly and there are no over-hangs you can feel when you run your finger across the damage. Leave the tape on for 24 hours. The next day remove all of the tapes. Clean up any glue drips. Very light sanding of the inside of the hole should be all that is needed.
If you use the Insta-Cure+ Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) or other bonding glue, hold the edges together till they stick, spray the accelerator over the crack on the inside of the gourd, and hold till dry.
Line up the crack and press firmly and hold until sticky.
Spray the interior of the crack with the accelerator!
Have you ever had a gourd crack after you painted the inside with acrylic paint?
The water in the paint seeps into the gourd fiber and causes it to crack. It often happens when the gourd has a weak spot. A better choice is to use spray paint instead of acrylic. I always cover the cut rim with masking tape to keep the color from getting on the edge of the front.
Large Cracks Will Need a Sturdier Product
Sometimes when repairing a cracked gourd you are faced with a really large crack! This is when you consider using spackle. As before, make sure the crack and surface are cleaned and sanded. I really like the ones that are pink. When they turn white, they are dry.
Spread the paste over the open area with your finger or a tool. Poke it with your finger and ensure it covers all the exposed fiber.
Gourd repairs with pink spacklings
As before, make sure the crack and surface are cleaned and sanded.
Smooth it with your fingers or a towel. Let this dry for 24 hours. Come back and sand it until it is smooth enough to color over.
If using the plactic glue in the tube, just squeeze it thickly into the crack. Let this one dry 24 hours too.
Repairing Cracked Gourds
Replacing the Stem
They break off easily, and sometimes I will buy a gourd without one and decide it needs one! To add a new stem, I drill a hole in the top of the gourd, matching my bit to the size of the stem. I fill the hole with Quikwood or plastic wood. Then twist the stem into the hole and clean off the excess. If I am cutting off the stem and I like it, I throw it into my clean shard drawer.
Creating a Stem for a Small Gourd
I use paper-wrapped wire if I can’t find a small, thin stem. When it dries, you can bend, twist or spiral it to give the gourd a unique look.
Re-attaching a broken stem
The finished gourd fell to the floor, and the stem broke off. Bummer!!! Take an awl and make a hole in the stem and where you want to attach the broken piece. Next, glue part of a toothpick into the gourd and press the fractured part over the toothpick.
If it looks messy, wrap 20-gauge wire around the bottom to secure the stem and cover the wound.
Repairing Cracked Gourds
Filling Small Holes
Have you ever picked up a gourd and found tiny holes in it? These are wormholes. Open your mind and look closer. If you won’t cut the top off, you can still use it. You can fill them or use them as a design element.
If they are small, I add sawdust to Elmer’s glue. Mix enough glue and dust to make a paste thick enough to work. Now, fill your hole and smooth it as best you can. You can sand, paint or stain when completely dry.
Maybe the flaw on the gourd is a design element?
Let’s think about making lemonade out of lemons! There is a deep, big crack on the gourd. Maybe you make it bigger by cutting it deeper into the gourd and using another material like leather, raffia, yarn, or wire. Now it is there on purpose!
If the gourd is thick and structurally stable, cut more of it away and change your original plan.
Repairing Wormholes on Gourds
Make them part of the design!
When I see wormholes, my mind wanders to shank buttons, upholstery pins, metal embellishments, wire, and beads.
If you look closely at my wood-burned gourds, you will see a brass upholstery pin that is a center of a flower.
Or consider these pen heads. Glue them into your holes.
My favorite craft store section is the shaft button collections. I love using these on my jewelry pieces. I admit I make the hole where I want it! But some cute or attractive buttons would be great in those wormholes!
Another element you could use are metal embellishments to put over the holes, I did this with my butterfly necklace and the hot air balloon.
Some gourds need not become a piece of art. Avoid them if the skin is soft in some places or feels thin and weak. You are making an art object and spending many hours getting it just right so it will give the owner pleasure for years. You need to use quality material. But sometimes, the gourd captures your heart and speaks to you. So, listen and see its flaws as possible design solutions or fix the problem and get on with it!
There are two videos I used for this post. I found their images very helpful and you might take the time to watch the process.
How to fix a crack in a gourd ~ Featuring Miriam Joy
Do you have some repair tips to share? Let us know through the comment box below or share them with all the gourd artists on our Facebook Group Page.
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Thanks, I found informative!
Thank you for all your wonderful advice!!!
Cheers
Carol in BC
How do you use the paper wrapped wire to make the stem?
You buy it at craft store.
Good day Betty
The other day I ordered quite a few downloadable items …..
I was able to download one and then the others disappeared.
My account as already been debited for the $35+.
I can ‘t find an email for you so I am writing this way.
Send me the list and I will put them in an enelope and mail them to you.
Bettie Lake, bettie.lake@gmail.com