Because leather and wood have very different textures, gluing leather to wood requires a specific type of glue and application method for it to bond well and last over time. 

To glue leather to wood, you need the following items:

1. Top-quality contact cement 
2. Foam brush 
3. Sandpaper 
4. Rubber mallet 
5. Scissors 
6. Putty knife 
7. Protective gloves 

When you work leather onto wood, you need to consider some factors, such as preventing the leather from peeling off or using the right adhesive that won’t lose its bond when exposed to heat or humidity. 

Before you can glue leather to wood, there are a few preparation steps you need to take for this to work properly. 

Keep reading to discover the exact steps you need to take, from start to finish, to make this project a long-term success. 

How To Glue Leather To Wood

The key to gluing leather to the wood isn’t just using the right adhesive and taking all the necessary steps. 

We recommend using protective gloves to protect your hands and skin throughout this process. 

So let’s explore all the steps you need to follow to ensure that when you glue the leather to wood, it will last even when exposed to heat, moisture, or other elements. 

Step 1: Prepare Both Surfaces

If you have worked with adhesives and several different surfaces before, you’ll know that unless you properly prepare the surfaces, the glue won’t be able to create a strong bond that will hold over time. 

So how do you prepare these surfaces?

Cleaning the leather:

1. With medium-grit sandpaper, gently sand the backside of the leather until it is slightly roughed up 
2. Use a leather cleaning solution to clean the surface from all dust and debris 

Cleaning the wood:

1. If necessary, sand the surface of the wood to rough it up a bit to create a better grip and adhesion for the glue
2. Use a clean cloth to wipe down all debris and dust 

Pro Tip: If necessary, you can also cut the leather depending on the size of your project. We recommend that the leather be a bigger size than the surface of the wood; this will make it easier to adhere the leather to the wood properly. After the glue fully cures, you can trim the excess leather. 

Step 2: Apply The Adhesive

To apply the contact cement, you will need the help of an applicator or a foam brush. 

Here is what you need to do:

1. Apply a coat of contact cement on the backside of the leather
2. Allow it to sit the recommended amount of time (this may differ depending on the manufacturer, so make sure to read the label) – the glue should become tacky 
3. Repeat the above steps with the surface of the wood as well 
4. After the recommended wait time, place the leather on the wood, applying firm pressure 
5. If necessary, use a smooth mallet to help get the leather onto the wood – this could help create a stronger bond between the leather and wood.
6. Use a putty knife to smooth the leather, removing any wrinkles or creases
7. Wait for a minimum of 24 hours (in some cases 48 hours) for the glue to fully bond and cure 

One of the most commonly used contact cement adhesives for these projects is Titebond, but this isn’t the only one you can use. 

Make sure that whichever contact cement adhesive you choose is top quality, and you read the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

Step 3: Trim Any Excess Leather

If the leather extends beyond the surface of the wood, grab a good-working scissor and cut the excess off. 

Once you trim the excess leather, if you find that the edges are rough, use medium-grit sandpaper to smooth the edges out. 

How To Choose The Best Glue To Glue Leather To Wood?

Not all glues are the same and work the same. 

So what should you look for when choosing glue for this project? 

• Specific to the materials you need to bond
  • Even if an adhesive says it is multi-purpose, it may not necessarily be good for your materials; in this case, both leather, and wood 
  • How to check if the glue is specific to certain materials? Read the package description – if leather to wood bonding isn’t mentioned, move on to another glue. 

• Quality of bond
  • Even if glue is right for leather to wood bonding, unless the quality of this bond is also good, it won’t do you any good 
  • The following offer usually the strongest bonds:
    • Polyurethane 
    • Cyanoacrylate 

• Application features
  • The time it will take to set
  • The time it will take to cure fully
  • Do you need to apply pressure or secure the materials together with the help of clamps, tapes, or weights?

• Resistance capacity 
  • Will the bond hold when there are changes in temperature and moisture? 
    • Some may break in colder conditions
    • Other glues may peel off in humid conditions

• Ease of use
  • Is the glue simple to use? 
  • Can it be applied and spread easily? 
  • Does the glue have a strong and overwhelming odor? 

Frequently Asked Questions

What glue should I use to glue leather to wood?

As mentioned in our guide, one of the most commonly used contact cement adhesives to glue leather to the wood is Titebond Ultimate 3 glue. 

Some of the other pros of Titebond:

• Easy to make alignments after gluing 
• Quick tack
• Dries clear
• Easy to apply 
• Ideal for both interior and exterior use
• Dries fast 
• It remains well in place 
• It provides a very strong bond 
• Unaffected by finishes 
• Quick set time
• It doesn’t require a long clamp time
• Easy to clean up unwanted spills 

Titebond adhesive creates a strong bond and has a fast drying speed. This adhesive is not affected by finishes, and you can use a thicker layer for maximum adhesion. 

But this isn’t the only adhesive right for this project. 

The following adhesives also work great with bonding leather to wood. 

• Loctite Super Glue
  • It contains a liquid adhesive formula 
  • Works great on porous and semi-porous surfaces 
  • Usually comes with a built-in brush 
  • Great resistance to temperature changes 
  • No clamping needed 
  • Dries clear 
  • Stronghold 
  • Spill-resistant bottle 
  • Clog-free cap 
  • Great for invisible repairs 
• Gorilla Gel Super Glue 
  • Can dry as fast as 10-15 seconds 
  • Dries clear 
  • Creates a very strong bond for an extended period
  • Long-lasting repairs 
  • Versatile 
  • It has a tough impact 
  • No clamping required 
  • The tube comes with an anti-clog cap
• Barge All-Purpose Cement TF Glue 
  • An all-purpose adhesive with significant flexibility and strength 
  • Environmentally friendly 
  • Very flexible 
  • Strong bond 
  • Toluene free tube 
  • Long-lasting repairs 
  • Withstand all weather conditions and changes 
• Glue Masters Industrial Grade
  • It contains a resin formula with a considerable bonding strength 
  • Great quality 
  • Versatility 
  • Thick glue 
  • Flows evenly 
  • Easy to use 
  • Highly durable bond 
  • Well balanced viscosity 

Can I glue leather to wood with wood glue?

You need to know that leather bonds differently to wood than, for example, wood to wood. 

You need to take into consideration the flexibility and unique texture of leather. You need to choose a glue that works best with leather and wood, not just wood. 

Conclusion

You can glue leather to wood, not just easily but effectively, with the right adhesive and application steps. 

Here are the most important steps for this project:

• Prepare both surfaces
• Use a top-quality contact cement adhesive 
• Apply the adhesive and wait out the recommended time
• Attach the leather to the wood 
• Allow the glue to cure the recommended amount of time 
• Trim any excess leather 
• Sand the edges to smoothen them out 

And, of course, don’t forget to use protective gloves to protect your hands from getting into contact with the glue.