It is really painful when your glass bong breaks and cracks, I totally get it. I know the feeling.
But hold on! You can fix that cachimbo de água back to its original form with a few tricks. I would also like to teach you some of the tips that I have learnt over time in fixing cracked bongs.
What items do I need to fix a broken glass bong?
Firstly, you will need a strong glass adhesive for bonding glass such as Loctite Glass Glue or Elmer’s China and Glass Cement – both are good brands. Look for these in any hardware store.
I also often have the following things ready:
Sandpaper
Q-tips
Isopropyl alcohol
Metal wire or clamp
Assorted picks/scrapers
Masking tape
What steps should I take to sanitize the bong after it's been broken to ensure no bacteria remain?
In case you have a broken hookah, it’s also necessary to deep clean and remove the stubborn resin buildup.
Now, you will think of soaking in alcohol or using pipe cleaners. But I am telling you that this is not usually effective, especially on sticky resin that is hard to remove. On the other hand, what I have found out is that denture cleaning tablets work effectively!
All you need to do is to put a few tablets in your water pipe mixed with warm water and let them dissolve overnight. The strong cleansing agents contained in these tablets will penetrate all tiny crevices and break down any remnants leaving your item like brand new! Rinse properly when morning comes.
I suggest specifically Polident or Efferdent brands for optimal results. This product has been formulated for eliminating tough stains from dentures; so it can easily get rid of resin as well! In addition, these ones are much cheaper than expensive bong cleaners purchased at smoke stores.
If the bong broke at a joint, how can I take it apart and reseal it properly?
Avoid being drawn to using ordinary bonding agents. For best results, I would strongly recommend you go for professional grade like Elmer’s China and Glass Cement. It has a special formula which makes it bond better than other glues; fixing cracks and gaps perfectly.
To ensure maximum amount of adherence please clean off the damaged area with a rubber eraser to remove all dust particles or soil. This is an excellent way of ensuring that the cement is pushed deep into crevices, even filling is done by use of toothpicks. I know, you will itch to start smoking your bong all over again but hold on! Otherwise, some wet cement may get stuck in the pipes where bits of could dry up becoming hard as stone such as pieces from wet cement falling in pipe holes. Trust me on this one: patience will pay great dividends here.
How to repair the glass bong if it is severely cracked
Heat fusion soldering is an innovative repair technique for severely damaged bongs. Cracks should be heated intensely with propane torch until they glow red hot then the bong quickly plunged into an ice bath so as to freeze its glass together at different points thus forming icy looking soldering patterns.
I have used this method to successfully mend broken mouthpieces – it works wonders! The extremely high temperature makes glass melt slightly and fill up the small fissures and hollows. When shocked by ice-cold water, such melted areas are frozen binding together fragments of a whole object in one piece. The rapid cooling preserves them in icicle-like frosted patterns that add a unique beauty aspect. With great care and adequate protective measures, this invention may still save cherished bongs even when they have suffered extensive damage.
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