When your favorite coffee cup slips off the counter or the normal wear-and-tear finally takes its toll, a broken handle can result. While you may be tempted to retire the cup to the nearest trash bin, you can try your hand at repairing it. With the right type of glue, you can reattach the handle and get more mileage out of your mug, as long as you don't mind a few imperfections.
Wash the broken ends of the detached handle and the remaining stubs on the cup itself with water. If a spill, such as coffee, was involved and stained the handle, use a combination of soap and water. This will give you a clean surface, free of debris to apply the epoxy resin.
Open both of the tubes included with the 2-part epoxy resin. One tube is liquid resin and the other is liquid hardener. When the two are mixed together in equal amounts - or amounts recommended by the manufacturer - they will form a paste-like epoxy resin. Squeeze equal amounts - or the amount recommended in the product instructions - of each tube, side by side, onto a small piece of cardboard or the lid of a shoebox.
Stir the resin and hardener portions together slowly with a small wooden craft stick to mix well. The resin and hardener will form a paste.
Coat the broken parts of the detached handle and the body with the epoxy resin with the end of the craft stick. Don't use too much or you may have an oozing mess.
Press the broken handle against the broken stubs on the body of the cup and hold it securely so that it will begin to set. Wait approximately three to four minutes and then gently let go. Wrap masking tape tightly around the handle and the cup to hold the handle in place as it dries.
Wipe away any excess epoxy resin with the end of the craft stick. Allow the cup to dry overnight before removing the tape.