My local guild had a debate about PVA vs wheat paste for spine lining

I tried wheat paste on a repair last week and the flexibility after drying blew the PVA out of the water, honestly. Which adhesive do you all reach for first on a tight-back binding?

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3 Comments

skylerc866mo ago

That whole debate feels like a bigger thing about old ways versus new ways. You see it everywhere from fixing books to people wanting vinyl records back. Sometimes the simpler, slower method just works better in the long run, even if the modern glue dries faster. Wheat paste needing to sit and cure is a feature, not a bug. It forces you to respect the materials instead of just slapping it together.

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lilyo306mo ago

Exactly. That slow dry time is key for a good bond. Lets the paper relax into place without warping. Rushing it just means a weak repair down the line.

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ross.river5mo ago

Wheat paste was a game changer for me when I finally gave it a real try on a torn atlas.

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