Adhesive, Dye And Finish Choices

[Butters]

I'm working on a coffee table that I plan to 'wrap' in leather. I have a toddler and plan to have more so I want to have the edge of my table wrapped in leather to lessen the pain of head knocks. I plan on using some belt blanks that I was given (for free-can't beat that) and dying them to a color similar to the wood which is black walnut w/ a warm mahogany stain. I've experimented with Eco-Flo leather dye, with the combination of a few colors I can get the right color. To stay with the simple lines of the table, I don't plan on doing any stamping, contemplating running a creaser around it but may not. I want the leather to stay semi soft to the touch. I don't want the shellacked / hard crust surface. Is there some kind of finish/ conditioner I can apply after the Eco-Flo to keep the dye from running, but also keep the soft nature of the leather? perhaps something like Lexol or Eco-Flo Carnauba Cream? or would I need something before that? (I've been using the water based stuff, b/c I am currently pregnant)

also what would you recommend for adhering the leather to the wood? the table is 3' X 5' so contact cement scares me, I'm not sure i can place a 5' length on straight all at once.

thanks in advance for any tips.

~Butters

[BillB]

I would go with the Eco-flo Carnauba, but I would run a test with some scrap leather to make sure. Since this is a coffee table, it is more for protection from spills. As for adhesive, Moss Motors sells a spray adhesive that I used to adhere leather to a metal dashboard. It is like a super rubber cement. That was over five years ago and I have had no problem with any of the leather lifting and this includes all the curves and bends over the edges. I am sure that any high quality rubber cement would work fine. You should also burnish the edges since the upper edge would be where water infiltration would occur from spills.

Just my thoughts if it was my project.

BillB