MC - Methyl Cellulose

[Visionary]

Thanks. I already expected so, but was curious to try it out myself (and I can still make use of a mediocre brown double MC tissue - wizard here I come )
I'm also getting better now with more practice. The paper currently on the glass has almost no rips anymore

Although in all my tries I still have the 'problem' that the surface that touched the glass becomes shiny. Interesting enough the tiny air bubbles are no longer visible in the top surface, but make the shiny glass-side surface textured with little circles.. way to go.

@Anna: have you tried the supposedly non-bleeding tissue from modulor.de for MCing yet? and is the mulberry paper there ok? it seems a bit expensive at 1.30€ per sheet.

[origami_8]

The shiny side of the paper isn't any bad. The glass side will always be a bit shinier than the other side, if possible I try to hide it inside.

Until now I haven't ordered from Modulor, don't know how the Mulberry paper there is.

[mrsriggins]

I can't find anything with methyl cellulose near me and someone had commented about watering down elmer's glue. I was wondering how this compared to using actual methyl cellulose and if done with elmers can it be rewetted to sculpt a model after folding or no? I really hate buying things offline and that's the only place I can find methyl cellulose.... well ammend that it is in one wallpaper paste I found but I don't want to spend 20 dollars on it.

[angrydemon]

I folded my dragon rider with double tissue (made from crepe paper).

Doesn't the paper look sexy?! I got a very nice, rustic tone by using brown tissue for one side and red on the other. The paper kind of got a little stiff, because I put waaaaaaayyyy too much MC on it, so I had to wet it a little to shape it.

[harlequin]

Many thanks for all the tips on this. You've all inspired me to have a go at it as well. My experiences so far:

If you can turn the jam jar of MC solution upside down and none comes out, you've made it too thick. Next time I'll pay more attention to the amount of powder people suggest.

After I'd watered it down lots, I still ended up with masses of wrinkles and air bubbles and one small rip but otherwise it was a pretty successful first attempt. I followed the flickr guide (thanks!) and it was clear, easy to follow, and the paper peeled off the glass ok. If it's anything like making tissue foil, it will get better as I do it more.

If you're using one of those clip-together photo frames, try not to fall over it and smash the glass when you're clearing up. Otherwise making the paper could get very expensive very quickly. I've got to go back to B&Q now.

[iggy_spotter]

Since MC is an adhesive, when you are wetfolding, wouldn't the folds be stuck together by glue? How would you then proceed to unfold, squash, sink, etc that require opening the folds? Hope I have articulated my meaning and don't seem too ignorant.

[angrydemon]

MC is only used for sizing the paper. Once it's properly sized and dry, you just need to apply a light mist of water on the paper to dampen it, but not saturate it, and you should be able to fold it like that. It should be noted that wet folding should only be used for simple models that can be folded quickly and easily. For complex models, I dry fold it first and shape it with MC when I'm done.

[HankSimon]

MC will cause surfaces to stick together, but it is very easy to pull apart. Also, you should be careful about folding MC paper on a table top, because it can stick to the table. But, all of this is only a minor problem that you learn to handle through experience and technique. Besides, wet MC is "less sticky" than Post-it Notes.

When MC dries, the paper is fairly stiff and will stick together nicely, resulting in beautiful organic, rounded effects. If you fold MC paper and let it dry, sometimes you can re-wet the paper to adjust the shaping. But you have to be careful with re-wetting and pulling paper apart, because conventional paper has a tendency to tear after too many cycles of drying and re-wetting.

- Hank Simon

[mrsriggins]

I just had to let everyone know I found MC that I LOVE!

http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/pap ... 07101.html

It's a store called paper source. The container has a premeasured amount of powder in it so when you get it in the mail you just fill the container half with hot water, stir, then fill the rest with cold water and refrigerate overnight. It is so easy, makes the perfect consistency and makes a lot of MC, like a five year supply, I don't think I will ever go through all of this. Even better it was only 8.75 with shipping (this is the price for US of course). They do ship internationally!

[strolgen]

Not sure if this store is everywhere in the US but Daniel smith carries MC in 1 pound bag . they sell that for $22 .
I haven't try to use it yet to make my first tissue paper MC but I'm eagger to do so . Here I come staggle bettle ...

[ptrckngn]

Is it ok to touch MC because im about to get it and about how much MC do you put in a bowl before you pour water in it?

[origami_8]

MC is a thickener in many cosmetic articles such as toothpaste, shampoo,... as well as in many foods, so yes, you can touch it

[HankSimon]

See: viewtopic.php?t=3435&highlight=methyl+cellulose

As Anna said, MC is harmless and edible. You can touch it with no problem. However, I don't recommend eating it, because it is a laxative, and yours may not be food quality.

I suggest putting ~ 250 ml (1 cup) of water into a bowl or jar.
Then add about 1 level tablespoon of MC powder.
It will not dissolve and will sit on the water, kinda like baby powder.
Stir or Close the jar and shake.
Then, leave the solution for a few hours or overnight.
Mash up any lumps and stir some more.
The solution should feel a little slick, and be about as thick as raw egg whites (to be politically correct

If it is too thick, add a little bit of water at time, and stir.
If it is too thin, then you can try leaving it open to the air, so some water will evaporate.

When you apply MC for wetfolding, use just a little at a time, so that you get a feeling for it. The common description is that the paper should be the consistency of wet leather.

- Hank Simon

[kagetora91]

I've been trying MC tissue paper but I can't seem to finish it correctly. Everything's nice and stiff but it's just a little hard to fold... maybe this is normal?

Maybe I'll try to get my hands on better quality tissue paper, but for now, I'm using the really really thin kind from Michael's. (variety of colors, sold in packs of 100 sheets)

[gordigami]

Thanks HankSimon !
Your explanation & ratios has to be the clearest that I've heard in awhile.
Some of us are too easily taxed by the Metric system of quanties, and find relief in ole American measurement. ( Thus saving those precious few cerebral cells for other things, like CPs & such...)
Thanks