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What glue to use on leather?

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Ed_Long, Apr 7, 2006.

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  1. Ed_Long

    Ed_Long Formula Junior

    Nov 11, 2003
    686
    Salem, Oregon USA
    Full Name:
    Ed Long
    #1 Ed_Long, Apr 7, 2006
    The backs of the seats on my PF coupe are covered with three overlapping panels of leather that were glued together, not stitched. After 45 years, the glue has failed. What kind of modern era glue is recommended? I want to avoid having the glue bleed through or otherwise discolor the leather. Anybody have some hands-on advice?
    Ed
     
  2. rw328

    rw328 Rookie

    Mar 20, 2005
    26
    San Jose Calif.
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    Roger Winslow
    #2 rw328, Apr 8, 2006
    Ed, I just finished re-dyeing and repairing the interior of my 328 and ran into the same problem. The leather on the seat hinge covers had split and had to be replaced. The local leather shop said that good old rubber cement would work just fine. Well it didn't. It's set up time was too long for the tight turns on the covers and even when it dried it didn't want to stay stuck to the plastic. I called leathertique and they said to use Liquid Nails, the construction adhesive. They said the advantage was that it was flexible, a good thing if you were doing seat repairs. I used it sparingly, just in case I even have to tear it apart. Work great. Lots of tac, easy to work with, and sets up quick. I even used dots of it about evey six inches on the piping on the door panels to hold it on. Worked like a champ.
     
  3. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

    Apr 28, 2004
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    #3 dretceterini, Apr 8, 2006
    Gorilla glue, used VERY sparingly, works on just about anything...
     
  4. MDshore348

    MDshore348 Formula 3

    Dec 24, 2004
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    #4 MDshore348, Apr 8, 2006
    dont use gorilla glue !!! it will turn brittle and foam up . its not meant for that. sounds like you didnt apply the contact glue correctly. you are supposed to apply the glue to both sides , let dry to a light tack touch of the finger, then firmly apply leather to surface, keeping stretching as you go.
     
  5. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

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    #5 dretceterini, Apr 9, 2006
    I've never had that problem...
     
  6. Ed_Long

    Ed_Long Formula Junior

    Nov 11, 2003
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    Salem, Oregon USA
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    Ed Long
    #6 Ed_Long, Apr 9, 2006
    Thanks guys for the advice. I have used Gorilla Glue on my wood fencing and it foamed and made a huge mess, probably because I put too much on. I had to scrape it off with a putty knife. Such a mess would be a nightmare on my leather. I have not used Liquid Nails before, but this sounds like a much more manageable product for a klutz. Thanks again for taking time to reply.
    Ed
     
  7. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

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    #7 dretceterini, Apr 9, 2006
    Guess I have to try liquid nail :)
     
  8. DeaneG

    DeaneG Karting

    Jan 26, 2006
    239
    SF bay area
    #8 DeaneG, Apr 10, 2006
    RW328,

    Did your local leather shop maybe mean "contact cement" rather than rubber cement?

    Deane
     
  9. gblue

    gblue Formula Junior

    Dec 26, 2005
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    Maui Hawaii
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    #9 gblue, Apr 10, 2006
    Aloha from a former leathersmith......rubber cement is COMPLETELY different from CONTACT cement.
    Contact works when it has rough surfaces, you put it on both pieces and let it dry 5-10 minutes...then.....you press,hammer or push the 2 pieces very firmly and it VERY strong. Don't put it on very thick...just enough to cover the surface leaving the rough texture.
    If the surface is shiny and you won't see it use sandpaper to rough it up. Rubber cement has no strength when used for this application.
    Mahalo from Maui Boy ....Former Sandalmaker Extrordinaire.......
     
  10. rw328

    rw328 Rookie

    Mar 20, 2005
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    San Jose Calif.
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    Roger Winslow
    #10 rw328, Apr 10, 2006
    When the leather shop told me Rubber cement I was rather suprised, having used it as a kid. I asked him again, and he said yep, it will work just fine. Nope. I'll keep using the liquid nails.
     
  11. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #11 Smiles, Apr 11, 2006
  12. Ed_Long

    Ed_Long Formula Junior

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    Ed Long
    #12 Ed_Long, Apr 11, 2006
  13. Gary48

    Gary48 Guest

    Dec 30, 2003
    940
    #13 Gary48, Apr 11, 2006
    super glue where you wont have much flexing
     
  14. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    Apr 23, 2002
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    #14 Glassman, Apr 12, 2006
    The best leather glue there is is called Barge Cement. It is designed for leatherwork.
     
  15. Ed_Long

    Ed_Long Formula Junior

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    #15 Ed_Long, Apr 12, 2006
    Gregg:
    Your advice appears to be very authoritative, thanks very much. There must be a shoe repair shop here in my little town of Salem. Mahalo!
    Ed
     
  16. gblue

    gblue Formula Junior

    Dec 26, 2005
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    #16 gblue, Apr 12, 2006
    Aloha.
    you can buy a small bottle with a brush at the hardware store..just make sure it says CONTACT CEMENT.....easy to do yourself and VERY flexible. Used to glue shoe uppers to the sole that you walk for years on......Gregg
     

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