Tried that PVA/methyl cellulose mix for a repair job

I read a ton of forums saying it was the holy grail for hinging loose pages, so I mixed up a batch 50/50 for an old encyclopedia from 1982. The pages stuck fine, but the dried glue turned into this gummy, slightly tacky mess that attracted dust like crazy. Has anyone else had this issue, or do I need to adjust the ratio or something?

3 comments

3 Comments

webb.xena17d ago

50/50 is way too much PVA for hinge repairs in my experience. I use a 80/20 methyl cellulose to PVA mix for that exact reason. The extra methyl cellulose gives you that nice tacky hold while drying but it doesn't turn into a gummy mess after. What kind of PVA did you use? I found out the hard way that some bookbinding PVAs have plasticizers that stay sticky forever.

garcia.miles17d ago

A year later? Sounds like you glued it with regret and hope.

barbara42917d ago

Oh gosh I learned that one the hard way with a textbook hinge that still feels tacky a year later. 😭