Make Sticky Tack
Sticky tack is a gummy adhesive used to hold posters and other lightweight items in place on walls and other surfaces. You can buy packages of sticky tack, but it's just as easy (and much cheaper) to make your own using ingredients you probably have lying around the house. See Step 1 to learn how to make sticky tack using an old glue stick or white glue and liquid starch.
Contents
Steps
Using a Glue Stick
- Find an old glue stick. You want one that has some glue left that's too dry to spread. If you want, you can use a brand new glue stick. Just let it sit without its cap for a few days so it can dry out and become more tacky.
- Don't try this with a new glue stick that's still spreadable. The sticky tack will be too sticky, and it could glue your pictures to the wall instead of temporarily adhering them there, like sticky tack does.
- To quickly dry out a glue stick, remove the glue from the plastic stick and put it in an oven-safe container. Cook it on the oven at a very low temperature for an hour or so, until it's dry enough that it doesn't feel sticky to the touch. Be careful when you're handling the hot pan and glue.
- Roll and stretch the glue. Place it between your palms and roll it around, smoosh it, and form it into a ball, then stretch it out. This will help it dry out a little more and create the right texture for sticky tack.
- If it's not quite dry, sprinkle a little baby powder onto the glue ball and work it in. The powder will absorb the remaining moisture.
- Color the sticky tack. Take a marker (preferably blue, the color of real sticky tack) and color the sticky tack. Any type of marker or ink will do. Add a few drops of color, then roll and stretch the glue ball to mix the color in. Keep adding more color and mixing it in until you're happy with the way it looks.
- If you're concerned that the sticky tack could leave marks on your pictures, you don't have to add color. Just use the sticky tack as is. It'll work just as well!
- Enjoy your homemade sticky tack. Take a pinch and stick it to the back of your pictures, posters, and other lightweight items, then press the items against the wall. When you're ready to take them down, the sticky tack will peel right off.
Using White Glue and Liquid Starch
- Measure out your glue and starch. You'll need {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of white glue (also called school glue) and {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of liquid starch, the kind that's used to starch shirts. These ingredients will give you a small batch of sticky tack. If you want a larger batch, just remember to use the ratio of 2 parts glue and 1 part starch.
- Mix the glue and starch. Put them in a container and use a spoon to mix them together. The mixture will immediately begin to stiffen, due to the interaction between the glue and starch. Soon it will form the consistency of sticky tack.
- Add a few drops of food coloring. Use blue or another fun color to color your sticky tack if you'd like. Add just a few drops, since a little goes a long way. Stir it in so that the ball of sticky tack gets thoroughly colored.
- Knead it with your hands. Scoop the sticky tack into your hands and knead it so that it becomes firm, but pliable. If you think it feels a little sticky, work in a little more starch. If it's too dry to stick, add a bit more glue. Keep working the sticky tack until it reaches the consistency you want.
- Use or store the sticky tack. Pinch of a few small pieces to hang a poster or picture. You can store the sticky tack you don't use in an airtight jar or another container. If it gets a little dry before you use it again, you can add more glue and work it in with your hands to achieve the right texture again.
Tips
- You may want to use gloves for the coloring part. Try getting a glue stick that was not closed properly or was left open. It makes the sticky tack better.
Warnings
- You must stretch and roll it out every once in a while or it will become too dry and fail.
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