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Can splits in a silver plated teapot be mended?

January 13, 2011

I was given a set comprising coffee pot, tea pot, creamer and sugar bowl with a mark of 'F B Rogers' 'Silver Plated USA', Plain body, patterned handle spout and feet. These were unused and given to me as unwanted. I find the coffee pot marvellous for keeping coffee hot and pouring well and use it regularly,
However the teapot developed splits the second time it was used. There are about 5 hairline vertical splits an inch or so long, up the body of the teapot and have nothing to do with any joint in the pot from what I can tell. I can see the splits from the inside and outside and fluid leaks out as tiny bubbles when it is filled.
Can this be mended from the inside with welding or a coating of some kind? I don't care if it has lumps on the inside if it can still be used as a teapot.

Shona Saywell
hobbyist - Wellington, New Zealand

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Hi, Shona.

Silicone sealant can probably handle this job. Let it cure for 24 hours before using, and throw away the first pot of water just to be safe. But if the pot developed 5 splits the second time it was used, it will probably develop 5 more before too many more uses :-(

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 13, 2011

Probably it can be welded with micro TIG welder(Orion is USA brand,Puk-3 German).Or you can fill holes with wateglass/chalk based putty.Teds advice is good too.Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
January 15, 2011