Chewing Gum Repairs: Creative DIY Fix for Broken Items, Statues, and More

Have you ever wondered if chewing gum can actually repair damaged household items? A few years ago, a friend told me her mother used chewing gum on various items that needed repair. It took me several years to make up my mind to experiment with it, but I tried it for the first time two years ago and have been surprised by how well it can work as a temporary or even longer-term fix.

I used it on a wood frame that had a large chip in it a few years ago. I chewed a stick of gum and when it lost its flavor, I smoothed it into the crack. Then I painted it over with acrylic paint, adjusting the color with each layer to get a perfect match. The final step was to seal it.

Last year I repaired an ornamental resin lid that had a sizable hole in it. That one took several sticks of gum and several different colors of acrylic paint. I had to carefully mold it into a shape that matched the lid. Again, I used several coats of paint, but since it had a relatively matte finish, I didn’t seal it.

 

I also repaired an Angel who was missing a hand.

DISCLAIMER: The experts say that chewing gum won’t last, that it will dry and pull away from the edges you fill. However, it has lasted over two years on my frame with no sign of pulling away. Maybe that’s because I painted it several times and then sealed it. However, the resin lid, which was never sealed, does show some signs of drying and shrinking, as does the angel’s hand.

My Latest Chewing Gum Repair

My most recent project was a pretty elongated Madonna I found at the thrift store. One hand was completely broken off at the wrist, with a couple of round chips underneath, and there were long cracks across her torso where the terracotta showed through.

I chewed a stick of gum and carefully molded it into the shape of the missing hand. I’m still fine-tuning the color with acrylic paint, but I sealed it for this photo. I also painted over all the cracks and chips. While the paint didn’t completely fill the cracks, it helped them blend in much better. After applying sealer over the entire piece, the cracks are noticeably smaller and less obvious.

Her hands now hold the Baby Jesus nicely, turning her into a unique and meaningful addition to my Christmas decor.

Chewing gum repairs may not be a professional solution, but they offer a surprisingly effective, low-cost way to restore broken statues, frames, and other cherished items. When combined with acrylic paint and a good sealer, this simple trick can give new life to damaged treasures and buy you time until a more permanent fix is possible. If you have a broken piece you’re not ready to throw away, chewing gum might be worth a try. With a little patience and creativity, you can rescue and enjoy your favorite finds for years to come.