Just tried two different ways to line a spine and one ruined my book

I was binding a poetry collection last week and used a thin, flexible glue on the first spine... it dried way too fast and cracked when I opened the book. For the second one, I switched to a slower-setting paste and let it cure for a full day, and the difference is huge, it opens perfectly. Has anyone else had a glue fail like that and found a brand that works every time?

4 comments

4 Comments

robin8961mo ago

It's funny how often the right speed makes all the difference. I see this with wood glue and paint, too. The fast stuff is tempting to save time, but it often sets before you can get it right. That patience for the slower cure, letting things set properly, it applies to so much more than bookbinding. We're always pushed to hurry up, but good results usually need that slower clock. Your experience with the paste proves the point perfectly.

kim_davis1mo ago

Honestly that line about being pushed to hurry up really got me. Tbh it's everywhere now, even just trying to cook a decent meal after work. You grab the quick jar sauce because you're tired, but it never tastes right. Ngl, I've ruined a few DIY projects rushing with fast drying glue when I should've just waited for the good stuff. Feels like we have to fight for the right to do things slow and proper.

ray_burns1mo ago

My buddy tried to rush his deck stain last summer, totally ruined the wood grain.

caleb_bell520d ago

Did you let him know about the trick where you wipe down the wood with mineral spirits first? Makes a huge difference with stain penetration... @robin896 mentioned the slow cure thing and that's dead on, rushing any project just costs you more time in the end fixing mistakes. Sanding down a botched stain job is miserable work, way worse than just waiting the extra hour between coats.