cole_flores44•1mo agoTop Commenter

Turns out wheat paste isn't just for old paperback repairs

I always used PVA for everything until a binder at a meetup in Portland showed me how wheat paste handles hinges on leather books way better. She said it stays flexible and doesn't crack over time, so I tried it on a 1920s novel last month and the spine feels way more solid now. Anyone else switch between adhesives depending on the book material?

3 comments

3 Comments

shane_clark1mo ago

Is it just me or does the staining thing get blown out of proportion? I've been using wheat paste for years on paper and leather and never had a problem with staining as long as I let it dry fully before closing the book. PVA is good for some things but it's not reversible at all, which is a dealbreaker if you mess up or want to undo something later. I get why people like it for quick fixes but for anything older than the 1950s I stick with wheat paste. The flexibility thing is real too, PVA gets brittle after a decade or so and that's when you start seeing cracks on the spine.

the_tessa1mo ago

My friend swore by wheat paste for her antique maps and never touched PVA again after that first try.

annajenkins1mo ago

Wheat paste is definitely reversible which is why a lot of conservators prefer it for paper, but it's not perfect for every situation. It can actually cause staining on some older papers if the paste isn't cooked just right or left on too long. Just a heads up that PVA still has its place for certain projects where you need a stronger bond from the start.