Members Thadrick Posted October 29 Members Report Posted October 29 I ordered some of this https://tandyleather.com/products/designer-smooth-side?variant=45452955418755 in candy apple red to make bags for my dirt bike. Why won't glue stick to it? It's fairly thin so I'm doubling the leather rough side glued to rough side but the glue doesn't hold. I'm using weldwood glue and has been working well on other leathers. Why not working on this? Quote
Contributing Member fredk Posted October 29 Contributing Member Report Posted October 29 I tried going to that link to check out the leather but the Tandy website keeps redirecting me to the UK site which doesn't have that leather Any hoo, it sounds like the leather might have oil on it or in it. It might be intentional or accidental I had a piece of leather that wouldn't take contact glue and stick. Other pieces cut from the same hide were fine with the glue What I did was give the piece a good cleaning with acetone. That seemed to cure the problem. I don't think Feibings Dye Prep or anything similar would have been aggressive enuf for the job Quote Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
Members Thadrick Posted October 29 Author Members Report Posted October 29 That's interesting, After leaving it glued under weight for several hours the table top had an oil slick , I thought it was glue residual but your comment about oil sounds correct. How would I wash 3 sides of leather and how will it effect the color and longevity of the leather? At the present time, it matches the color of my bike seat and graphics perfectly. The last batch of red leather (different brand) I used for bike bags faded to brown in only one summer (it was always protected under a 4duck canvas tarp I built for it except when riding). Will this leather fade to brown or worse yet pink if I wash the oil out? 41 minutes ago, fredk said: I tried going to that link to check out the leather but the Tandy website keeps redirecting me to the UK site which doesn't have that leather Any hoo, it sounds like the leather might have oil on it or in it. It might be intentional or accidental I had a piece of leather that wouldn't take contact glue and stick. Other pieces cut from the same hide were fine with the glue What I did was give the piece a good cleaning with acetone. That seemed to cure the problem. I don't think Feibings Dye Prep or anything similar would have been aggressive enuf for the job Quote
Contributing Member fredk Posted October 29 Contributing Member Report Posted October 29 The piece of leather I treated with acetone was a piece of veg tan that I had dyed. I wet a clean rag with the acetone and wiped it over the leather a couple of times. It didn't take any dye out nor change the colour I would suggest you first try it out on a piece cut from each of the hides you have. If it works then use it to clean each piece after its cut and shaped and just before you glue it The other cleaner I use is cellulose thinners, aka lacquer thinners. It is a much more aggressive cleaner and will take dye out. Thats when I use it. I have things made 25 years ago of the leather that got a real wetting with the cellulose and they are still good. No change in the temper or colour of the leather Quote Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
kgg Posted October 30 Report Posted October 30 7 hours ago, Thadrick said: It's fairly thin so I'm doubling the leather rough side glued to rough side but the glue doesn't hold. What I found too work the best whether it is chrome or veg tan is to apply one coat of contact cement let sit to soak into and dry. Then apply a second coat and when it has dried to the point of not being sticky to the touch put both pieces together, clamp or weight down depending on the size. My theory is the first coat seals the fibres of the leather and the second binds both pieces together. kgg Quote Juki DNU - 1541S, Juki DU - 1181N, Singer 29K - 71(1949), Chinese Patcher (Tinkers Delight), Warlock TSC-441, Techsew 2750 Pro, Consew DCS-S4 Skiver
Members Thadrick Posted October 30 Author Members Report Posted October 30 Thanks guys, Ill try what you suggest and see what works. If no luck maybe Ill have to switch to apholstery? Especially if they keep fading out after only a years time. Quote
Members DieselTech Posted October 30 Members Report Posted October 30 Buy a couple hundred binder clips & hold your project together with them. As you are sewing remove 1 or2 clips at a time & continue to sew it together Quote
Members Thadrick Posted October 30 Author Members Report Posted October 30 45 minutes ago, DieselTech said: Buy a couple hundred binder clips & hold your project together with them. As you are sewing remove 1 or2 clips at a time & continue to sew it together Just leave the leather unlaminated? Quote
Members Ole South Posted 25 minutes ago Members Report Posted 25 minutes ago (edited) Want a Cobbler cheat? Lay a light coat of cyanoacrylate (super glue) and spread thin with a business card over the area to bond. Let dry or hit it with accelerator. Then use your contact cement. The superglue will act as a bonding primer for your contact cement and/or most synthetic glues. If the cyanoacrylate won't bond then there is probably a lubricant or the finish is gassing off like Starboard. (Did you try scuffing the seam allowance with an abrasive first? Question: are you bonding flesh side to flesh or Flesh side to Top Grain?) Edited 19 minutes ago by Ole South Added question Quote
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