Glue for leatherette

[Renato Tonelli]

Every piece of Linhof equipment in my possession has the leatherette unhinging: the PC612, the 4x5, the camera plates from the bullheads. This has not happened with other gear that is covered with the same type of material and is stored in the sam space.

Which glue to use or just as important, which glues to avoid?

[Sirius Glass]

A contact cement that is peelable, like rubber cement. I use 3M Hi-Strength 90 Spray Adhesive* which I spray on a manila folder and use a toothpick or Q-tip to move small amounts to the surface where the leatherette or leather needs to be. Wipe off any excess before it becomes tacky; when dry, it is a Royal pain to clean off. Allow 1 to 2 minutes to become tacky, not dry. It does not dry or strongly adhere immediately, so I can move the leatherette or leather to the exact position that I want it. Again, wipe off any excess immediately. Then I rub and put pressure on it for a few minutes. Bonding takes 1 to 10 minutes, but I just leave it over night.

I have used it on the leather of Graflex cameras and the leatherette of some 35mm cameras.

* If the leatherette or leather will need to be peeled back later for servicing, say on a Hasselblad film back, do not use anything stronger than rubber cement.

Steve

[Ari]

You can order new Technika leatherette from Linhof (HP Marketing), but if you want to glue your old leatherette back, Steve's suggestion is a good one.
If you have large pieces to glue, Pliobond is the best adhesive I've ever used, but if you're not careful, it can get messy (use a toothpick as well).
I detailed some of these things here:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=74702&highlight=linhof
Good luck.

[jnantz]

contact cement works well too

[John Koehrer]

+1 for the Pliobond.
It is a contact cement, but if used on only one surface it's very secure.
If used on both surfaces and allowed to become tacky, don't plan on getting it apart. =@)

[BarryS]

Pliobond is ok, but a bit of a mess to apply and remove. I've found an excellent adhesive tape from 3M that's simple to apply and holds the coverings very securely. It's a layer of strong adhesive between two release papers. I'll see if I can look up the number later tonight. It beats anything else I've ever tried.

[Renato Tonelli]

Thank you all for the advice.
This will be my Friday evening project. The leatherette is not completely loose - only the edges at the short end where it is starting to curl up.

[BarryS]

FYI-- I use 3M 465 Adhesive transfer tape.

[danno@cnwl.igs]

Try this : http://www.norlandprod.com/fishgel/hightack.html

Very reliable, non-damaging, and reversable.

[tom thomas]

Barry,
I guess that's what I have or something similar. I found that double sided carpet tape from 3M works well. It's reinforced with thin fibreglass strands as well. Easily attached to the back of the leather, can be cut easily with a razor knife/blade. Very thin, no sticky mess. Can be peeled off too, if necessary.

Tom

[Bob Salomon]

You can order new Technika leatherette from Linhof (HP Marketing), but if you want to glue your old leatherette back, Steve's suggestion is a good one.
If you have large pieces to glue, Pliobond is the best adhesive I've ever used, but if you're not careful, it can get messy (use a toothpick as well).
I detailed some of these things here:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=74702&highlight=linhof
Good luck.

No, you order parts from Linhof Service. In the USA that is Marflex. We are the importer of the products, not the parts. Marflex will tell you what to use. Just call them at 252 652-4401.

[Leigh]

Pliobond is the standard product used by camera repair technicians for reapplying leatherette.

- Leigh