Watched a guy at the library repair a 150 year old binding

I was dropping off donations at the downtown library. Saw a conservator fixing a leather bound book from 1870. He used wheat paste instead of PVA glue. Told me PVA is too permanent for antique books. I always thought stronger glue was better. Now I keep a jar of wheat paste for my restoration projects. Anyone else switch to traditional adhesives?

2 comments

2 Comments

thomasm4124d ago

Modern PVA is reversible with the right solvent though.

beth_green24d ago

Oh wow yeah totally! I had a big panic with an older build a few years back and the PVA was being super stubborn, but my buddy @thomasm41 pointed me to the right solvent trick and it came off way easier than I expected. It's wild how much the newer stuff has improved, still gotta be careful with the fumes though.