Animal-based glue

Collagen (glue-like proteins) is converted into gluten by means of cooking animal offal (the “glue making bodies”, e.g. skin, bones, cartilage). The substance that is formed after drying is a natural glue that can then be dissolved again in water. The product name derives from the component, gluten. The different types of glutine glue are delineated by their sources, as in bone glue, hide glue, rabbit-skin glue, isinglass, etc.

Collagen was used by the ancient Egyptians as a glue for wood, etc. and Plinius mentioned it as a binder for paints. Glutine glues are still used today, especially in restoration work on furniture, musical instruments, and old books or as a primer on flexible painting surfaces (e.g. painting canvases).

To use this glue, the dried glue beads must be soaked in water for a number of hours. The resulting swollen glue beads should then be stirred into a 50 - 65° C water bath and applied (multiple times) with a brush or sponge. Please note that the processing time is fairly short (when removed from the water bath, the glue will quickly cool and gel – you can, however, reheat the glue again for further use).

The degree of adhesive strength of glutine glue is very high while at the same time it can always be “reversed”, which means that it can be removed by means of applying heat and moisture as required. The attributes of joints made with glutine glue range from hard to elastic. They are not, it should be noted, moisture or heat resistant and are sensitive to bacteria and mould. Because of this, glutine glue should only be used in dry indoor areas. When stored in a dry and cool place, it has an almost unlimited shelf life.