What is the best glue for fixing a leatherette on a film camera?
Pliobond 25 is highly recommended thanks to its excellent gripping power, flexibility, drying time, and solvability in rubbing alcohol for easy removal.
These properties are very important for sticking a piece of leather, which may need to be removed a few months/years later without damage. (Since leatherettes often cover screws that block repair and maintenance access — and they can also deteriorate, thus needing replacement).
However, Pliobond 25 is hard to find and expensive to ship. According to @the120ist on YouTube, the best alternative is either E6000 or a specific double-sided tape: youtube.com/watch?v=cBM0dH…
I’ve used tape before, though it seems that E6000 is easy to find in North America — plus, there’s just one kind — instead of the vast variety of double-sided tapes on the market. For consistency’s sake, this sounds like the best option.
A quick search confirms that E6000 will soften when soaked in rubbing alcohol (although it’s fully dissolvable in acetone). I think this will be my leatherette glue of choice.
Dmitri Nov 13, ‘24