MC - what is this?

[Nathanael_Cotrus]

in the last time i read a lot abut MC-glue in this forum, but i dont what that is...
is anyone out there who can help me to improve my knowledge?^^

[Brimstone]

REALLY??? Use the search button.

[Nathanael_Cotrus]

that gives me too much search results and i am too lazy to read them all^^

[fncll]

Not to reward laziness, but MC = Methyl Cellulose. You can buy MC powder and mix it yourself or buy something that is already mixed. I've been using a liquid wallpaper paste...

[Nathanael_Cotrus]

but for what do i exactly use it?

[fncll]

If you try to use a soft paper, like tissue or unryu, it is too soft to use for origami. Methyl cellulose stiffens the paper, making it more like "regular" paper, though of higher quality than most commonly used paper.

There's a lot of information on the board about technique, but what I do is: use a sheet of glass or plexi-glass (I use the plastic insert from a poster frame), use a soft brush to lay down a coat of liquid MC, carefully lay the sheet on the paper (if using tissue paper, which I get from a craft store, I unroll it onto the sheet with a small dowel), then paint the paper with MC, gently, from the inside outward, being careful not too tear holes. Some people use a brayer (a rubber roller) to minimize wrinkles, others like some small wrinkles for character.

This can be used to prepare a single sheet or you can use the same technique to bond multiple sheets (such as "double tissue")...

[phillipcurl]

I am going to buy some today at the pharmacy...
apparently you can get it cheap and a lot at a pharmacy, to treat diaraheh (i have no idea how to spell that) and other poop disorders. i will see how it turns out, I'll be treating one single sheet of tissue paper with it and try to make an insect.

[fncll]

It's the same compound, but I'm not sure the medicinal formulation will have the same properties for paper. Let us know how it turns out... and specifically what you used if it does!

[phillipcurl]

stupid pharmacy didn't have it. I am going to try another tomorrow.

where do you guys buy your mc?

[fncll]

I use wallpaper adhesive, as do many. I get it at Best Buy or Lowe's or pretty much any home repair type store. I know some also use a diluted MC-based glue, which you can find at some craft stores...

[phillipcurl]

oh, so like mod-podge?

[fncll]

I don't know which glues are MC (or mostly) and which are not... I've never tried them. But I'm sure a web search will reveal a few options. I think white wood glue is MC based...

[phillipcurl]

it dries sticky. i'll just look on the label.
i'll just order 25 pounds of the crap, its cheap online.

[fncll]

Let me know if you find a glue that works. I've yet to see MC listed as an ingredient on any glue, but our selection here is limited. The wallpaper paste is cheaper anyway.

[phillipcurl]

I have tried wallpaper paste once, and it worked fairly well. There is an art store about an hour from here that carries actual MC powder, but until then, I will use wallpaper paste. after all, that is what MC is anyway, just with water added.