Best glue for re-leather ?

[Peter_Jones]

I am wondering if something like a contact adhesive (Evo-Stik or similar) would be a good adhesive to stick camera leather to body, or something like double-sided tape ?

Any recommendations or good/bad experiences ?

 

[Michael Markey]

I have been thinking about this myself. I have tried a general purpose adhesive on an old Yashica but it was messy. Did not look good !

 

[laptoprob]

Thinking of the same thing myself. Earlier I used a double sided adhesive foil to glue leather. Worked perfectly. On the Digilux 2 there are small doors to be covered as well. I think I will need a 2-component strong glue for these and for the edges.
I hope to judge better when I receive the stingray skins.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I redid a Leica M2 a couple of years ago with Cameraleather skin. It fit to perfection and came with a heat setting glue already on it. No mess, no fuss, no bother.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Why not just get pre-cut, adhesive-backed leather from cameraleather.com?

EDIT: cross-posted!

 

[gchao]

Hi, The best adhesive which I have used is the 3M 950 5 mil. high tack adhesive transfer tape. It is basically a 5 mil adhesive embedded within 2 liners. 5 mil. adhesive thickness is adequate to hold onto and penetrate rough surfaces of the leather, to give them a solid bonding. It can be trimmed to any shape as required and not messy. Works like a tape. 😎

 

[kuzano]

Pliobond..... It's a standard for camera recover

Pliobond..... It's a standard for camera recover

Get it at Ace Hardware. About $4

 

[jmkelly]

Old-school head gasket cement (shellac) from the auto parts store - NOT the new hi-temp silicone stuff. Cleans up and comes loose with rubbing alcohol - nice, if you decide to change skins. Try that with some of the other adhesives mentioned - good luck.

 

[FallisPhoto]

I am wondering if something like a contact adhesive (Evo-Stik or similar) would be a good adhesive to stick camera leather to body, or something like double-sided tape ?

Any recommendations or good/bad experiences ?

Double sided tape works, but you have to be very careful not to get any overlap or gaps. If you do, it will show up right through the leather. As for contact glues, like Evo Stick, it will work well IF you apply a thick coat to the leather, wipe it off to get a thin, even, wet coat, and then stick it down immediately, while it is still wet. If you do it that way, you can peel it off if you have to. The trouble is, you only have seconds to work with it. If you follow instructions, and apply it to both surfaces, then let it set up before sticking it down, you will never get it off in one piece again.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Why not just get pre-cut, adhesive-backed leather from cameraleather.com?

EDIT: cross-posted!

Because we don't want people to think we're sissies?😎

 

[Al Kaplan]

You'd have to be a sissy to show your face in public carrying a Leica wrapped in some of those exotic lizard and snakeskin leathers. On the other hand, when carried with a matching purse and heels it might be quite elegant for evening wear.

 

[FallisPhoto]

You'd have to be a sissy to show your face in public carrying a Leica wrapped in some of those exotic lizard and snakeskin leathers. On the other hand, when carried with a matching purse and heels it might be quite elegant for evening wear.

Coral kidskin anyone?

 

[jmkelly]

You'd have to be a sissy to show your face in public carrying a Leica wrapped in some of those exotic lizard and snakeskin leathers. On the other hand, when carried with a matching purse and heels it might be quite elegant for evening wear.

😀😀 Oh REALLY! Well, I DO live near San Francisco. If anyone out here has felt this way when seeing me with one of my black lizard skin cameras they have kept it to themselves, even when the purse, er... camera bag and heels, er... hiking boots have not matched.

But seriously, IMO black lizard may be the perfect camera covering. It's tougher than anything but stingray, it doesn't dry out, crack or curl, you don't have to treat it, it has a great grip and it is better looking than Griptac.

And can I help that it just looks faaaabulous? 🙄