Breaking your favorite bong can be a terrible thing to experience. Did you drop it, something smashed into it, or maybe your mischievous, but adorable cat knocked it over? Then you’re probably looking for the best way to fix your bong.
The one good thing about broken glass is that most common breaks can be fixed and sometimes even upgraded and customized. At Purr, we understand how important a bong is to the smoking experience and how painful it can be to move on from a sentimental piece or glass that you rely on daily. That’s why we offer glass repairs and quotes on repairs on any Purr or non-Purr bong, bubbler, bowl, dabber, carb cap, pendant, etc. that’s made of borosilicate glass. Before we dive deeper into how to submit a repair quote request, you’ll first want to figure out if repairing your damaged water-pipe is worth it or not.
How to Fix a Broken Bong
Whether its ceramic, plastic, or glass, the material your bong is made of will greatly influence what steps to take next.
Bongs and bubblers are often either glass or plastic (acrylic), whereas smoking pipes can be made from a larger field of materials.
Acrylic plastic is the cheapest and easiest material to work with and repair.
Most glass bongs are made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass and strengthened in an annealing process, making them harder to repair.
Assess the Damage
If your bong is in more pieces than you have fingers or if you are trying to patch a hole larger than a pea, you might be looking at an act of futility.
Barring those severe cases, chips, cracks, and clean breaks can all be healed with a little prep work and glue.
Decide the Seal
- Food Grade Silicone
- Two-Part Epoxy
- Loctite Glass
- Cyanoacrylates (Super-Glue)
- JB Weld, Quick Steel, or Plumbers Putty
- Duct Tape
- Blow Torch
Food Grade Silicone
Food Grade Silicone is non-toxic and waterproof. It can be used as a sealant, like caulking, but it provides no structural support and is easily removed/peeled off.
The silicone method works on areas of your bong where the tube meets the base or other similar joints.
Best when repairing chips or cracks in the glass. Not useful in sealing areas that are frequently handled. Can be put over non-waterproof glues.
Two-Part Epoxy
Created by polymerizing a mixture of resin and hardener. There are dozens of brands to choose from that bond to glass, look for non-toxic, heat-resistant or both.
Besides a glass meld, this is the longest-lasting fix, although if the bond is left submerged, it can become “waterlogged” and leak. Emptying the bong between uses will prevent this and prolong the seal.
This method works best on fixing bongs with clean breaks. So, if you are left with particularly pointy pieces to mend, you might want to invest in a glass cutter.
Scoring and snapping off the jagged pieces to create the clean break. High grit sand-paper can be employed to smooth out any rough areas before applying the epoxy.
Loctite Glass
Similar look and usage to super-glue but chemically different, this unique butyl formula bonds to the glass.
This glue is water- and heat-resistant. It does contain solvents which could be toxic to humans.
Loctite glass works best on small cracks and bowl-pieces. It may require frequent touch-ups to continue to seal.
Cyanoacrylates (Super-Glue)
This most common of household glues does not stick to the glass. It can seal small gaps and cracks in plastics and most other materials though.
Super-glue suffers all the negatives of Loctite Glass in addition to not bonding to glass. Best used in small quantities on acrylic.
JB Weld, Quick Steel, Plumber’s Putty
These sealants share a putty-like consistency that can be shaped and molded into cracks and crevices.
All three putties are waterproof; JB Weld and Quick Steel are similar products and will harden after curing, plumber’s putty will not dry or harden, remaining pliable long after application.
None of these products should be used if the crack or break is anywhere near the bowl of your pipe, as they all contain toxic chemicals.
Duct Tape
Not for the faint of heart or those sentimental to the artistic integrity of their bong.
Wrapped around a crack, duct tape can seal airtight, adding strength. It can also be temporarily watertight.
This is either your last resort while camping or your first thought on how to fix a broken bong.
Blow Torch
All safety precautions and equipment should be used, probably best left to the professionals.
Glass will only begin to melt at temperatures over 1100 degrees Fahrenheit (560 C) so butane and propane torches will struggle to achieve those temps.
An acetylene torch and kiln are your best bet to thoroughly heat the affected areas and fully meld the glass together.
Serious candidates only. This process can melt glass and your face off.
IS MY BONG WORTH FIXING?
If you own a Purr bong, bubbler, pipe, or any other accessory, then you already know what it’s like to use a well-crafted, quality piece. Our products are high-functioning, with a minimalist aesthetic and nod to scientific design, proudly designed, tested and American made right in our glassblowing shop. With our combined knowledge of glassblowing and smoking, we do our best to ensure that we’re making the best choices and using the right glassblowing techniques to ensure our glass doesn’t break easily. But as mentioned above, since glass is glass, accidents do happen. So, if you have a special connection with the broken piece or if it was a gift from someone you care about, then doing everything you can to salvage it is completely understandable – we want to help.
Repairs are a tricky, unpredictable, and lengthy process when done correctly. Requiring the right amount of skill and experience, it’s no surprise why most glass brands can’t offer this service and why repairs aren’t cheap. If your broken bong was a cheap import pipe from DHgate, not well made and faulty to begin with, or just not a particular favorite, then it might be better to invest in a new and studier pipe.
And if you’ve got a graveyard full of broken glass, then it may be time to invest in a more rugged smoking device like our Purr2Go Collapsible Travel Hammer Bubbler Bong & Rig Set. This bubbler’s exterior is made of high-quality polycarbonate, which is an extremely durable and light-weight material, making it the toughest and most shatter-resistant bubbler on the market. Next to all the other alternative plastic, metal, wood, or silicone pipes, Purr2Go’s revolutionary polycarbonate and glass hybrid design is the best at preserving the flavor and delivering a full and smooth water pipe smoking experience.
HOW PURR CAN FIX YOUR BONG
With just four easy steps, you can be on your way to repair your broken pipe with us at Purr. Each break is unique therefore repair prices will vary. Whether it’s a Purr or non-Purr bong or accessory, the design, size, damage, and severity can impact the cost. To assess your repair, we’ll need some basic information to get started. Let’s go through the simple steps on how to get your bong repaired.
Step 1 – Explain: Sometimes it feels like we’re peering at a page of “Where’s Waldo” when reviewing repair images, so it’s best to clearly state what’s broken and how you’d like it fixed. For example, let us know that your 14mm male joint broke on your dab rig and that you want it to be repaired with a 14mm female joint. And don’t worry if you’re not sure what the parts are called, just do your best to describe what you want.
Step 2 – Measure: Depending on the style of the bong or bubbler, there may be size limitations we cannot work with. You’ll want to measure your piece and provide the total height. For example, measure from the base to the mouthpiece. If your mouthpiece is broken, try to measure as if it was still intact.
Step 3 – Photos: Take clear, well-lit photos on uncluttered backgrounds. We’ll need to see unobstructed images of the overall piece, damage, and area surrounding the damage as well as a “before” image of the piece before the break for reference. Make sure your hand isn’t covering up large areas of the piece and that any tape is removed so we can fully see the damage. And if there’s a chip or crack that’s hard to see in photos, try marking up the image to help us identify the issue.
Step 4 – Location Details: Last but not least, provide your shipping address.
HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO?
Here at Purr, we’re proud to be one of the only full-service glassblowing companies that offer repairs on both Purr and non-Purr pieces, makes custom glass as well as all our own glass. Our team is made up of extremely talented glassblowers and individuals who are passionate and dedicated to doing business better, offering high-value support to our growing community and improving smoking experiences whether you’re a new smoker or a veteran connoisseur.
So rather than putting on your DIY hat and reaching for the gorilla glue or duct tape the next time your bong breaks, which can be toxic and unsafe, submit your repair request with us to see if we can save your damaged water pipe or accessory. We look forward to helping you out!
Depends on where it broke.. If the bowl broke you need to clean the glass, heat up the end with a torch and pintch it off with some pliers (or let it melt together if you have a hot enough torch) once one end is sealed you roll the pipe in your fingers with the end in the smaller blue cone of the flame until it glows red. Pull it out and gently blow in the other (make sure ts not too hot) a bubble will begin to form .. keep blowing until you have the size you want… let it cool and get a smaller torch and concentrate the heat at one point on the bubble and blow until it pops open. Clean up the edges with the torch.