I have seen previous posts regarding rubber cement vs. other adhesives for $. I'm looking to go the RC route as it appears more flexible and easier on the bills for recycling.

My questions is: What should you use to thin out rubber cement?

Use Best-Test brand Rubber Cement Thinner.

I didn't see this (or any specific RC thinner) at Michaels (craft store), Walmart or Target. Do you know where I might find it?

You might try an office supply store like Staples, Officemax or Office Depot.

Cheers!

An artists supply store would definitely have it, look in the Yellow Pages under graphic art supplies, it's a good bet professional art supplies can be found there.

A few years ago I used to be able to get this stuff at many of the places mentioned above but I can tell you that it is really hard to find these days. Perhaps, it is because it is considered a hazardous material or something, I do not know.

I did find an online source which has the Bestine brand, but I have not ordered any myself from them. It is http://www.artsuppliesonline.com — of course they can only ship it UPS ground.

UPDATE

Sorry I didn't catch this earlier, but the source I just listed, while valid, is costly. A quart of the stuff is $9.88 which is probably reasonable, but you will have to pay $10.95 shipping plus a $20.00 UPS surcharge for shipping "hazardous materials". It would be cheaper to buy a dozen bottles of rubber cement and throw each away after it begins to thicken too much.

And so the hunt for "Bestine" goes on.

Forgive my ignorance but why do you need to thin RC?

You're suffering from the same disease I have! I have no clue either...just apply a thinner coat or buy a new bottle of it if it dries out. (That's because I'm not sure as to the exact application.) I've been splitting playing cards for years (custom gaff work) and have NEVER had a reason to thin it, so really I'm just as ignorant (which we aren't by the way).

For many applications, spray glue works extremely well. It is already a little thinner than regular rubber cement and sprays on evenly. It is available at Walmart or any craft store.

Rubber cement gets thicker over time because the thinner used evaporates quite quickly. Bestine, the Best Test brand of thinner has been labeled hazardous because it contains or possibly made completely of benzine. A carcinogenic substance I believe may be linked to lukemia.

In high school we used it a lot making rubber cement balls when the teacher wasn't looking. We also poured the thinner on our arms because we liked the cold feeling we'd get as it evaporated. God must look after drunks and high school students.

Anyway I am 54 now and I guess not as worried as are people today regarding chemicals. I would suggest contacting the Best Test company and see if they know where thinner may be sold in your area.

Most artists buy rubber cement by the gallon and put it into glass or plastic quart jars. That is why the thinner is important. Most of you are talking about the little jar and yes it probably would make sense to throw it away and buy another. In large quantities it isn't such a good idea.

I usually thin it to the consistency of heavy (unwhipped) cream and make Clippos in bulk.

Frank

I'm gluing money (bills) and my past experience is that RC at full strength makes for a very thick "double."

I want to use RC so I can easily recover the money later.

I would simply apply less. I don't have that issue with double backers/facers/index placement, etc...but then again it's playing cards and not bills, however, I don't know what the difference would be. Good luck on your hunt in any case and take it easy,

Rubber cement thinner, you can buy it in a artistshop

Regards

Cornelius