Is there a fix for a tcrack in the wrapper?

Sorry if this is a newb questions but... I was just looking looking at some cigars I have and one has a 3/4" (19mm) crack near the foot and a 3/8" (9.5mm) crack near the band. Is there any way to repair a crack in the wrapper or should I just try to cover lower crack with my finger and attempt to smoke it anyway? They need some time to rest but I would like to get a handle on this as quickly as I can. Any suggestions?

[markem]

Go to the grocery store and buy unflavored pectin. Should be in the canning section or maybe with the gelatin. Go to the cosmetics area and buy a selection of very small brushes, if they have one; otherwise get something that looks about the right size to paint the crack in the cigar. It won't be big.

Go home and put about a teaspoon of distilled water in to a clean plate (I use a small saucer). Slowing sprinkle a little pectin in to the water and mix it well with the brush. When if gets a glue-like consistency, but not thick, you are ready.

The next part is all about touch and is hard to explain in writing. You need to use the pectin mixture as a glue for the wrapper. If you use too much or the mixture is too runny, well, kiss that cigar goodbye, but it was a learning experience. Too dry and you just have to add a drop or two of water to the mixture to thin it out.

You may just need to paint over the crack or daub under the wrapper a bit to make it stick first. A very light coat and wait for it to mostly dry. If it still looks fragile, you can put on more. Repeat until it looks like it will hold, but don't overdo it. You can repair while smoking if necessary.

Some people here make and market the cigar glue. I have used some of theirs and it works well, but I don't recall their usernames. You may also be able to find it at a cigar shop, but I have never bought from a shop so can't speak to how well it works.

Fantastic!! I have pectin and distilled water in the pantry already. I was worried I would have to toss a fantastic sounding cigar. I will give it a couple days to rest then I will get to fixing it. Hopefully I don't screw it up.

[Remo]

Originally Posted by jpb437

Fantastic!! I have pectin and distilled water in the pantry already. I was worried I would have to toss a fantastic sounding cigar. I will give it a couple days to rest then I will get to fixing it. Hopefully I don't screw it up.

Unless it's a Gurkha, just toss that b!tch

[azar]

Originally Posted by Remo

Unless it's a Gurkha, just toss that b!tch

Doesn't even have to have a crack in it for that to work!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Remo

Unless it's a Gurkha, just toss that b!tch

I thought we were supposed to send all Gurkhas to Mike...They said Mikey would smoke anything

[nutcracker]

Artists gum Arabic (Windsor and Newton) from your local art supplies with a small brush.

[shilala]

I found the best way to deal with cracked and banged up cigars is to save them up in a bag and give them to sofaman. He's got the patience to fix them up and smoke them.

[nutcracker]

I've also seen blokes cut cigars into bite sized chunks and smoke them in a pipe! Cheapskate and very effective. Better than throwing them out!

[Xolotal Mungin]

The acacia (gum Arabic) is definitely the way to go. It's what is actually used on cigars. You can even use a finger. I keep a little glass bottle mixed up on the shelf. Put a little on, let it dry and smoke away!

I haven't got the courage to try this yet but I think this weekend I am going to sit down with one cigar and work on the other. I'll take some pictures and show how it works out.

[Dude Here]

How deep is the crack? Is it the wrapper and binder that are split or just the wrapper? If it's just the wrapper then you shouldn't have much to worry about since the binder will still hold everything together. I've smoked plenty of cigars with cracks in the wrappers and performance wasn't effected at all.

[RobR1205]

Something ive done (several times with success) for cracks in my cigars is to carefully slide the cigar band down to the foot of the cigar over the crack. As you smoke the cigar and the heat causes it expand, the band acts like a tourniquet and prevents the crack from getting larger, and ruining the rest of the cigar. When the ash gets close to the band, slide the band up little by little until you've smoked past the damaged part of your stick.

[mjdx88]

I have used the band for repairs in the past, usually because I messed the cut up and the wrapper comes apart. But this works great for other cracks, just as Rob has suggested.

It is just the wrapper that is cracked. It shouldn't be hard to fix. I just don't want to mess up a good cigar.