A mixture of starch and water has been used as an adhesive for centuries. Street artists and concert promoters use starch glue to stick posters, craftspeople use it in making papier-mâché (combining strips of paper or newspaper with glue and applying it to an object or shaping it into various objects) or decoupage (gluing pieces of paper to a piece of paper). objects, then varnished or polished), and professional bookbinders use them to repair archival books. This article will explain easy steps to make glue that you can try yourself.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp wheat flour or wheat starch
- a little cold water
- 200 ml of water to boil
Optional
- Additional 500 mL of water (if you are using a double pot)
- Sugar or white glue (to strengthen the glue)
- Copper sulfate (preservative and insect repellent)
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Glue
Step 1. Boil water in a saucepan
Pour 200 ml of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Step 2. Beat the flour and cold water
Use 3 tablespoons of flour and slowly add cold water (room temperature) while stirring or whisking. Stop when the flour is wet and runny enough to pour.
Step 3. Stir the diluted flour solution into the boiling water
Once the water boils, add the flour mixture while continuing to stir.
- The solution will foam when it boils. Stirring constantly will prevent the solution from overflowing, burning, or clumping.
- To prevent such occurrences, do a double boiling by placing the pan of flour glue solution into a larger saucepan filled with about 500 ml of boiling water.
- If the solution is too thick to stir, add more water.
Step 4. Remove the pan when the solution is thick and smooth
The boiling time required is about 2 to 10 minutes.
When using wheat starch, the solution will be transparent when it is ready
Step 5. Perfect the glue
In most cases, the glue will work when it has cooled. But it's easier to make adjustments while the glue is still hot:
- If the glue is not sticky enough, add sugar or white glue while continuing to stir. Start with 3 tablespoons of sugar or glue and add more if needed.
- To preserve the glue longer and to prevent insects from eating it, mix in a small amount of copper sulfate.
Step 6. Allow the glue to cool
When at room temperature, the glue will be like a sticky gelatin paste.
- Each brand of flour and starch is slightly different, so the consistency will be different as well. As long as it doesn't clump, the glue works well.
- To remove lumps of glue, strain through a fine sieve or used stockings.
Step 7. Store the glue in a closed container in the refrigerator
If left at room temperature, the glue will start to smell after 2 days and within a week it will grow mold. For glues that don't contain copper sulfate, there are a few easy ways to extend the life of the glue:
- Reheat unused glue in a closed container after use to sterilize it.
- Pour a little water over the glue as it is stored. When the glue cools, the water will stay on top of the glue and prevent mold from growing in the glue. Remove the water before using the glue.
Method 2 of 3: Using Glue to Glue Posters and Street Art
Step 1. Apply glue to a surface
Using any tool you like (such as a paintbrush or gloved hands), apply a generous amount of glue to the wall. The glue will adhere firmly to wood, stone, and many other surfaces.
- Remove any lumps from the glue to avoid air bubbles and lumps that could damage the poster.
- It is illegal to paste posters on other people's property or public places in some areas.
Step 2. Glue the poster or painting on the surface that has been applied with glue
Do it slowly, from one side to avoid wrinkles from occurring.
For very large posters or very high surfaces, use a broom or brush with a long handle to help glue them together
Step 3. Add glue on top of the poster
A glossy, sticky layer of glue over the entire surface of the poster will dry into a strong adhesive.
- If you are using whole wheat flour, the glue will contain brown grains. Use only a small amount of glue like this on the poster so that the poster doesn't get covered in brown granules.
- If you don't have enough time or you don't have enough glue, prioritize gluing the corners or edges that are farthest away.
Method 3 of 3: Art Project Using Flour Glue
Step 1. Decorate the object using the decoupage technique
Wheat glue is an excellent glue to use in paper crafts.
Step 2. Create a statue out of scrap paper
Wheat glue is strong enough to support a three-dimensional statue, although you'll need to add white glue or sugar if your glue isn't strong enough.
Step 3. Fix the book bindings
Many bookbinders opt for homemade glue over store-bought ones or use a special "PVA glue" mix and glue.
Some bookbinders recommend glue from wheat starch instead of flour because the glue is more transparent
Tips
- Rice or flour is commonly used to make glue with an equally strong adhesion. If there are other types of flour or starch in your area, try experimenting with different flour-to-water ratios for a slick, strong glue.
- Follow the same instructions to make half or double the glue recipe.
- Wheat starch glue dissolves more readily than wheat glue, so bookbinding is preferred for handling soft materials.
