Wheatpaste From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wheatpaste, or wheat paste, is a liquid adhesive composed of equal parts flour and water, usually made for the purpose of adhering paper posters to walls. Closely resembling wallpaper paste, it is made by mixing roughly equal portions of flour and water (some argue using more water or more flour), and heating it until it thickens. A similar flour and water formula is taught in elementary school (minus the low heat simmer) as an easy to make substitute for ready made adhesive. A typical application is in constructing streamers of paper rings made from colored construction paper. It can also be used to create papier-mâché. Activists and various subculture proponents (such as hip-hop, punk, and anarchist) often use it to hang-up propaganda and artwork in urban areas—usually during the dead of night due to its illegality in many cities. It is applied to the backside of paper then placed on flat surfaces, particularly concrete and metal as it doesn't adhere well to wood or plastic. Cheap rough paper, such as newsprint are printed on, works well, as it can be briefly dipped in the mixture to saturate the fibres. Due to danger of being apprehended wheatpasters frequently work in teams or affinity groups. This process is typically called wheat pasting. Wheatpaste is also known as Marxist glue, probably because of the small far-left organisations that use it.
Wheat Paste Recipe Prepare 1 cup (2.4 dl) of very hot water. Make a thin mixture of 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of white flour and cold water. Pour the cold mixture slowly into the hot water while stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. When it thickens, allow to cool. Smear on like any other glue. For slightly better strength, add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of sugar after the glue is thickened. After using a portion, reheat the remaining in a covered jar or container to sterilize it for storage or keep refrigerated. If wheat flour is not available, other flours will work.
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