uma896•11d ago

Switched from PVA glue to wheat paste for my spine hinges and wow, what a difference

I've been using PVA for years (like everyone else) but last month I tried making wheat paste for a restoration project on a 1920s novel. The glue held way better on the old paper and didn't bubble up like PVA does sometimes. Plus it's reversible with just water, which is huge for repairs. I spent about 45 minutes cooking a batch from flour and water at home, cost me maybe 50 cents total. Has anyone else compared these two for older books? Which one do you lean toward for vintage stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

faithrodriguez10d ago

Idk I've been too scared to try wheat paste but your reversibility point is making me reconsider.

luna_wells5710d ago

I keep a jar of wheat paste in the fridge and it stays good for about a week, just stir it up before each use. Try it on a cheap old book first to get the feel for how it spreads.