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Well then, I've been playing with an idea for a routine that requires a piece of flash paper to be lit and burn behind, say, a Post-It note to give a quick visual effect.

The problem I've been having is how to stick the flash paper to the ordinary paper so that it stays secure but doesn't leave a manky residue when burned. So far wax and Pritt Stick have both worked ok but left little lumps of burned stuff on the paper. It doesn't matter hugely but it would help if there's no obvious signs of adhesion after the event and I was wondering if anyone else has experimented similarly in the past and had any luck (perhaps Stephenmagic can help?). I'm not looking to stick a ball of flash on, just a thin strip to the back of the paper.

Cheers.

would some kind of clip work, rather than a glue?

OK, here's the secret, and it's probably something you already know...

If you have time pre-show, use water and let the drying of the water bond the two papers—flash and regular.

Great, just what I needed cheers guys

Good old fashioned saliva.......works wonders in certain sitaions.....also great way to put an imprompt yet temporary sticky card in play!

I have used this same technique and I have always found that the purple kids glue doesn't leave any sort of residue when burned...But I suppose it would be easier to use saliva.

hm not quite sure how youre playing the visual out in your head, so you might just as easily disregard this suggestion

but here it is, usually the fashion in which I use this is during a billet switch,

-you could always hold the post it note towards the audience inbetween the first and second finger, as the third and pinky clips a smaller piece of flash paper directly behind it. For a quick visual of the way Im describing the finger positioning all you need to is make a V with your four fingers (yes this originated deep from within startrek loyalty). There are several nice looking variations of grip and angles with this handling, as Im sure you'll find out while playing with it.

may not be a method youre looking for whatsoever, but its sticky gunk free!

Well I experimented with such a thing (only sticking the flash paper to other things) and I found that the best thing to stick it with is a drop of Elmer's glue the size of a small pin head, even less. The amount is so small that it doesn't affect the burn and doesn't leave a "bump" made of dry glue.

I don't know about water or saliva, hard for me to think it will still stick after it dries, and while it's wet it's rather dangerous to ignite the flash paper, and will probably burn the paper it's stuck to and possibly your fingers.

I also remember that I was told by Stephenmagic a while ago that there is special "flash glue" that is used to stick sheets of flash paper together, so I would check with him if he can get you some for a reasonable price.

Or (as iummydd points out), you can purchase the proper glue from most any pyrotech shop...Glue that is made for this particular application.

Mike.

moodini wrote:Good old fashioned saliva.......works wonders in certain sitaions.....also great way to put an imprompt yet temporary sticky card in play!

Ellusionist's favourite!

Seriously though, I would suggest trying to get some flash glue. You don't want to risk burning yourself, and it would be a pain to burn the normal paper as well.

Flash glue eh? Sounds perfect, ta.