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Miracle Muck 1 Gallon for Fabric and Wood

Miracle Muck 1 Gallon for Fabric and Wood

SKU 916

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About this product

Miracle Muck is a modified PVA adhesive developed for Raphael's in 1978, and it has been the art and framing trade's default wet-mount adhesive ever since. It dries to a tough, permanently flexible film that stays clear, does not outgas, and does not yellow or turn brittle with age.

In a frame shop it does three jobs: it wraps fabric onto liners and mats, it mounts canvas and linen to panels, and it joins frame corners and fillets. Artists also use it to size a canvas before laying down a ground.

It is a permanent adhesive, which means it is not a conservation-quality product and the manufacturer does not market it as one. Once cured it is inert and forms an effective barrier against acid migration inside the frame package, but a mounted piece is mounted for good.

Use it cold and wet, straight from the jug. Apply to both surfaces with a foam roller sized to the profile you are covering, or a soft brush. Raphael’s own guidance is that it is better to put on more glue and let it dry longer than to not get enough glue on.

Dry to the touch in about ten minutes; full cure at 48 hours. Anything you intend to cut with a saw, such as canvas on hardboard, should cure overnight first.

It washes out of brushes and rollers with warm water while it is still wet. There is no solvent to buy and nothing to dispose of specially.

Specifications

TypeModified PVA copolymer
Dried filmClear, permanently flexible
Touch-dryAbout 10 minutes
Full cure48 hours
Heat reactivationAbout 140°F
CleanupWarm water while wet
Storage40–80°F, never freeze
Conservation-gradeNo, it is permanent
OriginMade in the USA
First produced1978

Common questions

Is it conservation-grade?
No, and the manufacturer says so plainly. Miracle Muck is a permanent adhesive, which disqualifies it from being called a conservation-quality product. Once cured it is inert, does not outgas, and forms an effective barrier against acid migration within the frame package. For work that must stay reversible, use a conservation mounting method instead.
Can the piece be removed from the panel later?
No. This is the most common misconception about Miracle Muck. It is a permanent bond, not a re-moistenable or reversible one. If reversibility matters for the job, choose a re-moistenable adhesive or a non-adhesive mount.
Can it be heat activated?
Yes. It is normally used cold and wet straight from the jug, but it can also be applied, allowed to dry, and reactivated with heat at around 140 degrees Fahrenheit using an iron on the linen setting, a heat press, or aggressive burnishing. This is the usual approach for very sheer fabrics.
How long does it take to dry?
About ten minutes to the touch, and 48 hours to a full cure. Canvas mounted to hardboard should be left overnight before you cut it with a saw.
Can I use it to size a canvas?
Many artists do. Apply it to both sides with a foam roller or soft brush before the ground. The number of coats depends on your ground and whether you are working in oils or acrylics, so test a small canvas first.
What happens if it freezes?
It is ruined permanently. Miracle Muck spoils if it freezes and cannot be recovered by thawing. Store it between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, out of direct sunlight, and it keeps for years. If a delivery arrives during a hard freeze, check the product before putting it into production.
What do I apply it with?
A foam roller sized to the profile you are covering, or a soft brush. Err toward more adhesive and a longer drying time rather than too little. Everything washes up with warm water while the adhesive is still wet.