Gorilla Glue can be used on leather, but it wasn’t designed specifically for leather.
To glue leather, the recommended adhesives to use are leather glue. But, if you don’t have access to leather glue, then Gorilla Glue can work as a backup.
If you use Gorilla Glue on leather, the bond may not be as strong, and the durability may not be as long as leather glue.
Keep reading to discover more about Gorilla Glue and gluing leather.
The Advantages Of Gorilla Glue
Gorilla Glue is a multi-purpose adhesive that offers a durable and strong bond, which is why even though it isn’t leather glue, it can still be used to glue leather.
Here are the most notable advantages of Gorilla Glue:
- Dries quickly
- Strong bond
- Great for both indoor and outdoor use
- Waterproof
- Non-foaming
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Weather-resistant
Because Gorilla Glue is a very strong adhesive that is versatile and can offer a strong bond, the effectiveness it does or does not have for leather depends on a few factors.
If the leather only needs a small repair, there is a good chance that Gorilla Glue will offer a strong bond that will hold. But what about bigger damage? It depends.
In some cases, this adhesive has offered just the needed repair and held up well, but it didn’t do so in all cases.
How To Use Gorilla Glue On Leather
Before you apply Gorilla Glue to leather, you need to prepare its surface for better bonding and adhesion.
If there are previously dried glue stains on the leather surface, remove them. You can do so with the help of sandpaper, rubbing alcohol, and various other solutions.
Make sure there are no stains on the leather, including debris, dust, or grease.
Now that the surfaces that need to be glued together are cleaned and prepared, follow these steps:
- Apply a thin layer of Gorilla Glue to each leather surface that needs to be glued together
- Press the surfaces together
- Keep applying pressure (use your hands or clamps) until the glue dries
- If there is glue residue, remove it
- Use tape, clamps, or other tools to keep the surfaces secured in place for 24 hours (it will take about this long for the glue to cure fully)
The Difference Between Leather Glue And Gorilla Glue
The main difference is that leather glue is made to bond leather surfaces together, and Gorilla Glue is designed for various surfaces, but not specifically leather.
Gorilla Glue can offer a strong bond and several other benefits but won’t outdo a quality leather adhesive.
Gorilla Glue may not be as flexible or durable as leather glue.
So let’s look at the leather adhesives you can also choose from and the benefits they offer compared to Gorilla Glue.
Leather Glue
You can find various brands that make leather glue, such as Tandy’s Eco-Flo Leather Weld adhesive or Aleene’s Leather And Suede Glue. Both are specifically made to be used on leather.
Leather glue usually dries clear. They are also flexible, making them ideal for projects that require flexibility, such as leather clothing or shoes.
The other benefits of leather glue are:
- Good strength
- Durability
With leather glue, you should only need to apply it to one surface, then press the two surfaces together and keep them secured in place until the adhesive fully cures.
Contact Cement
Contact cement is a glue that is known for its impressively strong bond for various types of surfaces.
Contact cement has been used to glue leather without the need to sew leather together because of the very strong bond it provides.
This adhesive creates such a strong and durable bond that when you try to pull the materials apart after the glue fully dries, the material will tear, but the glue won’t separate.
Usually, regardless of using contact cement or leather craft cement, you may need to apply it to both surfaces instead of just one. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendation on this.
Conclusion
So, can Gorilla Glue be used on leather? Yes, it can, but this wouldn’t be the glue we recommend for leather as it won’t do the best job.
This glue can be used for minor repairs but not for bigger projects, as it most likely won’t offer a durable bond.
You can use Gorilla Glue on leather if you don’t have or can’t find leather-specific glue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use craft glue on leather?
Yes, craft adhesive can glue leather, but not for any leather needs.
Craft glue should be used when you need to keep the leather in place for sewing.
Which glue is best for natural leather?
If you need a medium hold leather glue, here are some of the best:
- Aleene’s Leather & Suede Glue
- Craft-grade glue designed for leather
- Dries clear
- Is flexible
- Great for keeping leather in place for stitching or sewing
- Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Leathercraft Glue
- Water-based
- Dries clear
- Flexible
- Fiebing’s Leathercraft Cement
- Water-based
- Flexible
- Dries clear
For a strong hold, check these out:
- Tandy Leather Eco-Flo Leather Weld
- A strong adhesive specific for leather
- Dries flexible and clear
- Eco-friendly
- Great for several general purposes
- Barge All Purpose Cement
- High-strength leather glue
- The best option if you are looking to get a permanent bond on leather
- Waterproof
- Flexible
- Petronio’s Master All-Purpose Cement
- High-strength glue
- Great for permanent adhesion
- Flexible
- Waterproof
Which glue is best for synthetic leather?
For synthetic leather, one of the best adhesives is E6000 craft glue. It offers industrial bonding strength.
It is also:
- Waterproof
- Flexible
- Dries clear
Can I use fabric glue on leather?
Fabric glue isn’t a great option if you need to permanently bond two leather pieces.
Can I use Elmer’s glue to glue leather?
Elmer’s glue is a popular choice for various projects, but it doesn’t work well on leather.
