If you are working on arts and crafts, creating some modern furniture for your home, or doing some sort of repairs, something that you might have to do at some point is to adhere leather to metal.
Gluing leather to metal may sound super easy, which can very well be true, but it really depends on the type of glue that you use.
It takes some pretty special glue to be able to securely bond these two materials together. In case you have no idea what kind of glue to buy, no worries, because this is what we are here to help you figure out right now.
Let’s get to it and help you find the best glue for leather to metal bonding. We have a great buyer’s guide with all of the info you need, as well as a plethora of top rated products for you to check out.
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- Resistant to solvents
- Heat and waterproof
- Dries clear
- Extreme strength
- Great resistant
- Super fast curing time
- Ideal for applications with moving components
- Forms a very strong bond
- Temperature resistant
- Temperature resistant
- Ideal for crafts
- Industrial strength
- Easy to use
- Everything included
- Waterproof
- Very strong bond
- Impact resistant
- Water and heat resistant
Overall #1 Rated Pick
Loctite Universal All Purpose Super Glue
When it comes to the best type of glue to bond metal to leather, super glue is definitely at the top of the list, scientifically known as cyanoacrylate glue.
What is interesting to note is that cyanoacrylate or super glue actually hardens and cures when it is exposed to moisture, and yes, the moisture in the air around you is enough of a catalyst to achieve curing.
Just keep in mind that super glue is not ideal for bonding very smooth plastic, but it works fine on things like leather, metal, fabrics, wood, coarse plastics, stone, ceramic, and more.
In terms of the best glue for leather to metal, the number one top pick has to be Loctite Universal All Purpose Super Glue. There are many reasons why this is the case. One of the best features that you get with this particular super glue is that it is waterproof, so water won’t be able to undo it.
This super glue is actually so resistant that you can put it in the dishwasher, as not only is it waterproof, but also highly resistant to extreme temperatures, particularly heat.
Moreover, what is also nice about Loctite Universal All Purpose Super Glue is that it can bond to most materials including leather and fabrics, metals, rubber, ceramic, porcelain, wood, and some types of plastic too.
This is super glue, which of course means that it starts to harden nearly instantly once exposed to air. Although the working time is very short, so you have to be quick, it bonds and cures in just a few seconds, which means that you don’t need to do any clamping.
Glue for Leather to Metal: Buying Guide
Before we start taking a closer look at the various options, you have to go with in terms of the best glue to attach metal to leather. There are a few important things that you need to know. Right now we’re going to provide you with all the information you need, so you can choose the best adhesive for metal to leather, so you can learn how to bond these two materials together, and how you can be safe when doing so.
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
Check out our list below for a summary of our results.
- Loctite All Purpose Super Glue (Our Overall #1 Pick)
- MITREAPEL Super CA Glue
- RH S-18 Neoprene Cement Adhesive
- E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive
- CCBetter Hot Glue Gun + 30 Glue Sticks
- Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue
Types of Glue for Leather to Metal
Perhaps the most important thing for you to know here is what kind of glue actually works to bond leather to metal. The simple reality is that not all types of glue will work here, so choosing the right kind is paramount for the success of your project.
Super Glue
The best type of glue that you can use to achieve strong metal to leather bonds is super glue. Super glue has the perfect consistency for these materials, and has the right kind of tack to hold onto both metal and leather with ease. Moreover, although super glue does not have much sheer strength or tons of impact resistance, it can hold up a whole lot of weight. Moreover, super glue also dries clear, so you cannot see it once it is cured, and on that same note, it takes only a few seconds to cure, thus making it ideal for applications where you don’t want to use clamps. There is also the fact that it is waterproof and very heat resistant too.
Hot Glue
The next type of glue that works well for bonding leather to metal, especially when it comes to arts and crafts, and even for things like making leather belts to hold your pants up, is none other than hot glue. Hot glue is very easy to use, although you do need a hot glue gun. Moreover, hot glue does cure and bond very quickly, and yes, it dries clear too, thus making it ideal for small arts and crafts. Now, hot glue is waterproof, but it is not heat proof. Heat will melt super glue and cause it to come undone, so don’t use it for any applications that involve heat. You would not use hot glue for large repairs or weight bearing applications, but it works great for arts and crafts.
Cement or Concrete Glue
Yet another type of glue that you can use to bond leather to metal, particularly for weight bearing applications and for moving components where the bond needs to stay flexible, is cement or concrete glue, specifically rubber cement. This type of adhesive can be used on rubber, glass, plastics, veneers, metal, and leather. As opposed to what the name implies, this type of glue is generally made with latex or some other form of rubber. When it cures, it creates what is essentially a piece of rubber. This stuff is very permanent, hard to get off, waterproof, temperature resistant, and it also remains flexible when dry. This type of glue is generally used for flat and large scale applications.
Two Part Epoxy
The other type of glue that you can use to adhere leather to metal is two part epoxy. Now, two part epoxy does take time to cure, up to two days in some cases, which means that it is not ideal for speedy use or for things like arts and crafts. However, if what you need is maximum resistance to more or less everything, a super strong bond, and the ability to bear lots of weight, then a two part epoxy is a good choice to consider.
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How to Glue Leather to Metal
What we want to teach you how to do right now is how to glue leather to metal, using a convenient step by step guide.
- OK, so metal is generally quite smooth, which means that most glues are going to have trouble sticking to it. For this reason, you need to take some steel wool or rough sandpaper and gently scrub the metal surface. You don’t have to scrub too much just for a few seconds, but just enough to ensure that there is a slight roughness present. This will help the glue to adhere to the metal surface.
- Now that your metal surface is prepared, all you have to do is to use your glue of choice and apply it to both the metal and the leather surface. Apply very small amount of the adhesive to both surfaces.
- Use your hands to firmly press the two materials together and fill up they bond together. If you’re using super glue, this should only take a few seconds. However, if you are using something like two epoxy or contact cement, you’ll need to clamp the two pieces together in order to allow the glue to cure.
Here, we have a short tutorial video that explains how to glue metal to leather, just in case you are better at learning visually.
Safety Tips
While gluing leather to metal is not rocket science, there are still a few things that you need to know in order to keep yourself safe.
- When using any of these fast bonding adhesives, especially something like super glue that can bond to your skin within a matter of seconds, it is essential that you wear protective gloves. In no way do you want super glue sticking to your fingers, because removing it is quite painful.
- Always wear eye protection as well, because you don’t want this stuff getting into your eyes.
- Before using any of these products, always consult the manufacturers instructions, particularly about ventilation concerns. Some of these adhesives have noxious fumes that can make you very sick. In some cases you may even want to wear a face mask or a respirator.
The Best Glue for Leather to Metal
The top best product [hide]
Loctite All Purpose Super Glue
- Waterproof
- Cures in seconds
- Temperature resistant
MITREAPEL Super CA Glue
- Ultra strong bond
- Cures in seconds
- Dries clear
RH S-18 Neoprene Cement Adhesive
- Water resistant
- Remains flexible
- Can bond a variety of materials
E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive
- Photo safe
- Bonds virtually all materials
- Heat resistant
CCBetter Hot Glue Gun + 30 Glue Sticks
- Gun and glue included
- Ideal for arts and crafts
- Easy to use
Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue
- Fast curing
- Dries clear
- Waterproof
- Waterproof
The Verdict
The bottom line here is that if you are gluing metal to leather, the best product to go with is Loctite All Purpose Super Glue. It is very easy to use, cures almost instantly, and is super resilient too. That said, all of the products reviewed today are ideal for their own specific applications, so take a look!
