Make Methylcel Marbling Size
The recipe makes 1 gallon of size. Increase ingredients proportionally to make larger quantities.
- Place a gallon of water in a bucket and use a wire whisk to stir in 3 Tablespoons of methylcel.
You'll notice that the mixture becomes cloudy, but does not thicken. The cloudiness is caused by tiny particles of methylcel suspended in the water. If you stop stirring, and allow the size to sit, the methylcel will eventually drift to the bottom of your container.
- Make the mixture alkaline to dissolve the methylcel. While stirring, add 1 teaspoon of clear, non-sudsy ammonia. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens. If it doesn't thicken after a few minutes, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of ammonia and stir again.
- Cover the bucket with newspapers and allow the size to sit for approximately 10 minutes. Stir.
- Neutralize the alkalinity created by the ammonia by adding white vinegar to the size--the same amount of vinegar as ammonia. Stir.
- Pour size into a tray, cover and allow to cure for 12-24 hours. Air bubbles will disappear.
If Water is Alkaline
Stir methylcel into alkaline water and it will begin to dissolve immediately and clump together. If water is alkaline you'll need to make a slight change to the standard directions.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of white vinegar to each gallon of water before you add the methylcel, then proceed as instructed.
Carrageenan Size
Follow the instructions on the package to make carrageenan size.
