I recently read this in a magazine .
A guy heats his hide glue in a glass jar that is in the double boiler and/or glue pot. He carries the glass jar and glue to his work station and uses it. when he is done he puts a cap on the jar and puts it in the refrigerator after it cools. He says the glue will last a month if kept cool. I have never heard this before. Is it true? What would happen if you froze it? Would it last longer?
TIA,
Don
Replies
Hide glue is an organic product which will spoil if left at room temp. I don't know how long it lasts in the refrigerator as I have always used the remainder or thrown it away after a few days. Retail products add some kind of inhibitor to extend shelf life and I remember reading somewhere about being able to add something to a home brew to help extend the life of the mixed product. I don't think freezing it would harm it any but given the low cost and ease of mixing a new batch I have never heard of anyone who would bother.
I do the same thing but put it in the freezer unless I expect to use it again in a day or two.
mike
Hide glue size was the binder for theatrical scene paint for many years. A dash of Lysol prolonged the life of mixed paint before it turned putrid (really nasty). I would suppose that a drop of Lysol in the hide glue might prolong the life, but refrigerating the glue in between uses is a better plan. I have no idea how the Lysol might affect the strength.Jim Eddy
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