Using our baize glue? We share the best features of our specially formulated glue and tips on how to get brilliant results.

A Tall Order

Specially formulated for us by an Italian manufacturer. We wanted a glue that is environmentally friendly, that would work with our fabrics and be user friendly. A tall order, but the resulting glue ticked all these boxes.

Considering the Environmental Impacts of Glue

Other than it being exclusive and formualted for us? Our glue for baize, is gelatin based, which is how traditional glues were made. For us this was a hard decision to make. Modern adhesives (PVA) use microplastics, suspended in a liquid that evaporates off. PVA has the benefit of being clear when it sets, but comes at a heavy price environmentally. From the oil used in its production, to its long afterlife in the world afterwards.

On the other hand, animal based glues are also detrimental. Primarily to the animal from which the gelatin is derived. We felt the lesser of two evils was to have a gelatine glue. In doing so, our glue not only biodegrades, but it also has some additional benefits.

What are the Benefits of our Baize Glue?

Reversible – First and foremost is that this glue is reversible. This simply means that once set the glue can be unset, using warmth and water. Not only is this great for future restorations, meaning fragile materials and finishes won’t get damaged, but makes working with this glue less stressful. As mistakes can be easily reversed. Not that you’ll make mistakes, more of that in the next point.

A Long Open Time – This rather technical sounding term is actually very straight forward. When a glue is not set it is “open”. If a glue is open it can be worked with easily. Why is a long open time a good thing? The main advantage is that it means you have a long time to work. Making this glue ideal for novice users and experts alike.

Tips for Using Baize Glue

Using our glue is easy, but we thought we’d share some tips and advice to help you a long the way.

1. Apply and Wait

When used to working with modern adhesives, you may feel the need to rush. Our glue is different. You can take your time – the glue will remain open between 10 – 20 minutes after application, depending on ambient temperature and humidity. This means you have plenty of time to spread the glue out evenly and with care with a glue brush.

Now all you need to do is sit back an wait. Waiting allows the glue to become tacky and minimises seep through. Periodically – every minute or so – keep checking the tackiness, as the glue dries, it becomes increasingly tacky. Once this moment has arrived you can carefully, slowly an methodically lay the fabric down.

2. Work Slowly

Working slowly and in your own time, removes the stress and it is feeling stressed that can cause silly mistakes to happen.

3. Thin Baize High Tack

The thinner your piece of baize the longer you will want to leave the glue to set off and go tacky. Thin baize will allow wet glue to seep through to the finished side. This will marr your work. Leave the glue to dry and lose its whiteness, before laying your fabric down.

Thicker baizes, like our standard baize and extra-wide baize, can be applied while the glue is still slightly wet.

4. Don’t Panic!

If you do make a mistake, this glue is forgiving and it’s reversible. Pulling the baize up again won’t cause any damage to the finished side, so you can gently remove it. If the glue has stuck fast, just apply warm water or use a steam gun to gently release the glue. The glue on the wood can be gently removed and re-applied if necessary.

Did You Find This Helpful?

We hope these tips on using our glue are helpful. If you by baize and glue from us together, we supply a free user guide to recovering a playing card table. The advice inside can be applied to other furniture too.