Wheatpaste
Wheatpaste is a liquid 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 simmering over low heat until
it thickens. Allow it to cool to room temperature and then bottle
in an easy to carry plastic container.
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.
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. Due to danger of being apprehended
wheatpasters frequently work in teams or affinity groups. 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 the sort newspapers are printed on, works
well, as it can be briefly dipped in the mixture to saturate the
fibres.
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