For a few years now I have been using an alternative to white glue.
Shoji (Rice Starch) Glue
Works the same way, dries clear and is 100% safe.
Might have to ask at the Arts supply store for it or if you got an asian community close by they should also have some.
make your own ! just get some rice, squish it up and its done ! they used to do that in the kindergarten i went to.
—edit—
perhaps “squish it up” isnt very good directions
first you have to cook the rice. cook it till its nice and soft, no need to worry about it being al dente or not. then after its cooked, mash it up real good. add water to get it to the consistency you like. basically its just rice starch with water.
being indian myself, (born and brought up in USA though) i eat lots of rice. i’ll try this soemtime. sound interesting. edible model kit materials. here follows a lis of edible model kit material :rice starch glue, lacquer, blu tac putty, and testors aztek airbrush. lol. (no one eat these things please i was just joking as im sure all of you know)
There is also a Glue at Michaels called Tacky Glue that is white and its a little thicker but its alot better to use if you do a lot of Flocking on models. This is more Auto then Armer stuff.
I am very familiar with alternative glues as described by Model Museum. Actually you can also make a very good transparent glue using corn starch. Mix it with water to a flowable consistency and cook it until it becomes clear but still flowable (not dry and brownish).
Some practice is required in the mixing. As I cannot really give mixing ratios.
actually mixing ratios would be useless anyway since the viscousity of the thing is determined by the gluten content of the starch. since flour varies so much from batch to batch mixing ratios wouldnt be much help [:P]
Exactly the reason why I can’t give mixing ratios. [:)]
would one be able to use this glue as a masking material?? , i use white glue (Elmer’s) to mask canopies.
most probably, yes
Interesting, I use to use the cornstarch glue concoction to mount rice paper for chinese brush painting.
waikong - is “xuan zhi” made from rice ? i thought i was made from some kinda fibers ?
A great alternative for strong, clear bonds on clear parts (provided you don’t smear) is Tamiya normal (not extra thin) cement. It always works for me, though I use a glue of a secret formula for even stronger bonds that are both perminent and temperary.