If you’re the type of person who likes to DIY leather projects and repairs, you’d by now know the essence of gluing in almost every aspect pertaining to leatherwork. Having the best glue specifically for leather to leather attachment greatly makes a difference in the quality and durability of work.
But the number and variety of glue when you search on the internet can be overwhelming. So in this article, I precisely did research on the best glue for leather to leather and I’m super excited to share with you all I found.
What’s the best glue for leather to leather? The best glue for leather to leather in no particular order are:
- E6000 237032 Craft Adhesive, 2 fl oz Clear (New Version)
- Barge All-Purpose Cement Quart (O22721)
- Barge All-Purpose Cement
- Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement
- Shoe Goo Repair Adhesive
- Gorilla Super Glue Gel
Before we delve into the details on what the glue for leather to leather, let’s find out what is leather glue and which types of glue are best for leather to leather.
What is Leather Glue and Which Types are Best for Leather to Leather?
Leather glue is any adhesive or bonding substance you’d use to attach or join two pieces of leather together. Leather glue usually come premade with sets of instructions for easy use and application. One important point most people miss out on is the fact that not every glue will be ideal for leather.
There are two main types of leather glue. There is the white glue and there is also the contact cement. Both are different and effective but for peculiar purposes. The main difference between white glue and the contact cement is the mode of application and purpose.
You’d need to use the white glue if you’re only going to tack, just to sew or lace. You simply identify the spot you want to glue your leather to and apply the glue to only one side of the leather and stick to the targeted spot. This is ideal for non-permanent bonding and more importantly, you can adjust leather as need until the glue completely dries.
On the other hand, generally, if you’re going to tack for permanent without sewing or lacing, you’d use the contact cement. For these types of glue, you apply the glue to both sides of the leather you’re going to be attaching together, then you allow the glue to dry on both sides for 5-15 minutes before putting them together.
This is a permanent application and will let different pieces of leather look, feel, react as one piece. Also, once you attach, you cannot readjust its position.
As you can see, either way, it’s pretty easy to attach leather to leather using the right glue. So now in no particular order, here are the best glue for leather to leather.
6. E6000 Craft Adhesive New Version – (Best All-Round Adhesive)
- Color: Clear
- Size: 2 Ounces
- Product Dimension: 1.2 x 3.6 x 7.1 inches
The E6000 Craft Adhesive is not only ideal for leather but for several purposes as well. If you’re looking for a glue that bonds just like contact cement and wouldn’t want to worry about not being able to make adjustments, the E6000 is the best as it gives you up to 5 minutes to make required adjustments before the glue permanently dries.
This USA made glue is ideal for all leather gluing projects such as leather to leather, leather to fabric, leather to foam, etc. The unique thing about this somewhat contact cement is the ability not to immediately upon contact and allows up to 5minutes for you to make last-minute adjustments if you want.
The E6000 takes paint really well and its both water and temperature-resistant. It’s a non-flammable glue that will not stiffen the leather. It usually takes about 4 hours to dry and about 24 hours to cure. It retains a lot of flexibility even when dry.
Pros:
- Doesn’t dry immediately (takes up to 5 minutes)
- Unwanted glue stains can be removed easily when dry
- Waterproof
- Non-flammable
- You can use it for indoor and outdoor items for extreme temperatures (-40 – 150 Degrees F or -40 – 66 Celcius)
- Inexpensive yet incredibly effective
- Paintable
- It’s elastic
Cons:
- It takes time to cure
- Cap might permanently get glued to the tube if not carefully managed
- It can’t be used with styrofoam because it will eat through it
- Use in a well-ventilated area
If you’re interested in the E6000 237032 Craft Adhesive, you can check it out over here on Amazon! You can equally look for them in any brick and mortar store such as Walmart or Home Depot near you. Also make sure to get the color you want either clear, white or black which is usually clearly written on the right corner of the package.
5. Barge All-Purpose Cement Quart – (Best Strongest Adhesive)
- Color: Amber or Yellow
- Size: 32 Ounces
- Product Dimension: 6.7 x 6.4 x 6.3 inches
The Barge All-Purpose Quart is your typical contact cement. It’s the “Big OG” of glue as its the strongest and has the most adhesion. Barge all-purpose is a strong adhesive and can be used to join, leather, rubber, and vinyl.
It great for all leatherwork projects especially footwear, sandals, shoes as these items take a lot of hard wear and this glue will be able to hold on for that level of abrasion.
In addition to leather crafting, you can also use it to patch leather shoes, boots, rubber boots, metal, paper, plastic, wood, concrete, and so much more.
It’s an absolute beginner-friendly and a professional leather glue. When using the barge all-purpose glue, you must follow the contact cement protocol of simply applying to both sides of the leather you intend to join, waiting for it to dry for about 5-15minutes before putting them together.
An important tip worth sharing is that this barge glue is 32oz and will take you some time to get it finish up. So what you’d want to do is to get a cement glue dispenser or any other smaller separate can you will refill so that you wouldn’t have to open this barge container to avoid the glue from thickening.
Also, when you realize the glue begins to thicken, you can get thinner and dilute it. Finally, to prevent the cap from sticking to the glue container, store the glue upside down.
Pros:
- Very strong permanent adhesive
- Can be used for huge projects
- Can be used to attach leather to almost anything permanently
- It comes with an applicator brush attached to the lid
- Doesn’t take too long to cure
- It’s a multi-purpose glue
- Dries Fast
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Barge has a strong unpleasant odor and you’ll have to always wear nose mask while using the product
- Doesn’t dry clear but dries yellow
- You cannot recolor it
- It’s glue stains will remain visible
- You cannot sew through because its thick and gummy
- Highly Flammable
If you’re interested in the Barge All-purpose Quart, you can check it out here on Amazon!
4. Barge All-Purpose Cement – (Best Beginner Contact Glue)
- Color: Neutral
- Size: 2 Ounces
- Product Dimension: 4 x 6.5 x 10.2 inches
The Barge All-Purpose Cement is similar to the Barge All-Purpose Cement Quart. It comes in both 32oz just like the Quart but also have a 2oz. One obvious difference you’ll notice is the branding of which this is blue and white.
This product also follows the contact cement protocol. The surface you intend to bond must be clean and you must apply the glue to the two sides of the leather to be attached together and then allow the glue to dry on either side before adhering it together.
You’re required to exercise a lot of precision because when adhering, once the leather parts are stuck together, it won’t come apart for any adjustments. Barge also recommends leaving the glued piece for at least 24 hours to cure before use.
This leather glue can be used on leather, wood, rubber, SBR, cotton, aluminum, steel, woven and synthetic fabric, fiber materials, gumline, EVA, neoprene, nitrile, cork, glass, particleboard and many more.
It’s great industrial use but more importantly great for beginners for repairs or leather crafts as it’s very easy to use.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Forms a strong, flexible, and durable bond
- Easy spread
- Great for beginners
- Holds well even without stitching or lacing
- Non-smearing
Cons:
- Although neutral, it leaves behind a bit of color when dry
- Doesn’t take color or stain
- Requires 24 hours to cure
- No adjustments can be made once it’s dry
If you’d be interested in the Barge All-Purpose Cement, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
3. Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement – (Best Non-Toxic Water-Based Glue)
- Color: White
- Size: 4 Ounces
- Product Dimension: 6.4 x 1.6 x 1.6 inches
The Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement is a great option for you if you’re keen on using non-toxic or non-inflammable substances because you have younger kids and pets or you make or repair items you feel need to be toxic-free and non-inflammable.
The Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement is a non-toxic water-based glue that has a strong bond and it’s perfect for leather and rubber projects but can as well be used on fabric, cotton, glass, and plastic. It’s quick-drying cement adhesive and its made up of materials that is easy and flexible for children and beginners to work with.
The Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement creates a flexible bond resistant from water and fire. It’s very easy to use. You just pop open the cap and start using and to make its bond much better, put pressure on the part you’re adhering till the cement totally dried up or use a rolling pin on it till the glue dries.
Pros:
- It’s non-Toxic
- It’s non-flammable
- Very easy to use
- Water-based, safe and effective
- No chemical odor
- No solvent vapors
- Safe for children
- Easy to remove glue stains since its water-based
- Dries up nicely
Cons:
- Since it is a water-based adhesive, it’s not weather resistant. Not recommended for items that are exposed to rain
- Not recommended for hard-wearing items (not recommended for leather items you wear frequently)
If you’re interested in the Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
2. Shoe Goo Repair Adhesive – (Best Leather Repair Glue)
- Color: Clear
- Size: 3.7 Ounces
- Product Dimension: 7.1 x 2.4 x 1.6 inches
If you’re looking for the ideal leather repair glue, the Shoe Goo Repair Adhesive is specially designed for sealing small holes and repairing all types of footwear especially leather footwear.
As the name implies, the Shoe Goo great for permanent repairs like worn outsoles, damaged heels, etc. It can be used as a preventive measure on footwear as well to prevent further damage to the shoes.
The material makes up of this glue allows it to dry like rubber so it retains the flexibility of the shoe. Apart from repair and sealing, you can as well use it for other gluing needs such as repairs on wood, canvas, rubber, or vinyl.
Pros:
- Ideal sealant for patching small tears and holes glue
- It’s waterproof and provides a protective coating
- Doesn’t crack or break
Cons:
- Has a long curing time (up to 72 hours)
If you’re interested in the Shoe Goo repair adhesive, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
1. Gorilla Super Glue Gel – (Best Fast Drying Repair Glue)
- Color: Clear
- Size: 1.44 Ounces
- Product Dimension: 1.2 x 3.4 x 6.6 inches
The Gorilla company manufactures a lot of high-quality gorilla strong products and the Gorilla super glue gel is no exception. Their glue provides a very strong and durable bond on leather, plastics, wood, ceramic, and even rubber.
This glue takes only about 10 to 45 seconds to dry making it one of its great features at the same time pretty much a pain in the neck if you want to make last-minute adjustments. It’s, however, important to note that this glue is not flexible when dry so it can mainly be applied to flat items that require no bends such as a knife sheath, etc.
This super glue comes with an anti-clog tube package which prevents it from drying off. This isn’t a water-based glue so when it gets stuck to your hand or items, it doesn’t come off easily. You may need to use a few drops of gasoline to help remove it.
Pros:
- It’s fast-drying
- It’s a versatile glue
- This glue expands four times for extra-strong bond
- Comes with an anti-clop package
Cons:
- You will not have any flexibility on the leather after use
- Drying soo fast may be a problem for beginners
- Cannot be stained
If you’re interested in the Gorilla super glue gel, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
Buying Guide for Leather Glue
Buying glue for leather can be easy especially if you know exactly what it’s for. You may either need a leather glue for repairs or for crafts work. With repairs, you’d have to also know the extent of the damage before you buy leather glue. The next important thing is to find out what materials are used for the glue product a bit of information about the company producing it. Having a general idea will help you choose the right type of leather glue.
After you’ve bought the glue that would do the job for you, do well to read the instructions for its pre-application, application, drying, and curing processes and durations before use.
Here I wrote a guide you can keep in mind when you’re shopping for leather glue.
Durability Of The Glue
Durability is definitely the number 1 factor in glue choice. For crafters, you wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money to buy expensive leather and other materials and get flimsy glue that will do a bad job. Likewise having to fix or repair an expensive leather item with bad glue that will require you to repair it every day or worse case make the damage worse.
For most leather projects you wouldn’t sew or lace, you’d need a any of the contact cement listed in this article. This is because contact cement glues have the most durable bond, permanent adherence and can withstand all weather conditions. You will, on the other hand, go for white glue if you just need glue for reinforcement before you sew or lace.
Glue Resistance (Heat, Water, Extreme Cold)
Ideally, leather isn’t washed or dried or left at the mercy of the weather like fabric and most materials but amongst other things, the glue you use should be water-resistant and weather-resilient enough so that if it’s caught in the rain, extreme heat or cold temperatures, it will still be able to hold up without coming apart.
Flexibility After Glue Dries
Flexibility is one of leather’s most important characteristics. The flexibility of leather makes leather an ideal material for so many products. So when choosing glue for your leather, you’d at least want something that will sustain the flexibility of the leather especially with all items you flex, bend, or folds. You may only opt for glue like the Gorilla glue gel if you’re working on projects like knife sheath that you wouldn’t have to bend.
The Color after Glue Dries
In many instances, leather glue will dry clear without leaving behind any color while in other instances it will leave behind certain color effects. You’d want to find out how the leather glue dries and whether or not you can color the glue certain hues so that the color matches your project or repair work. But to be on a safe side, you can never go wrong with glue that dries clear with no color residue.
