Best Glue for Leatherette: Bonding Vinyl & Faux Leather

Leatherette (also called faux leather, vinyl leather, or PU leather) requires specialized adhesives that remain flexible, resist peeling, and bond to the plastic-based material. Whether you're reupholstering furniture, repairing car seats, or crafting with vinyl, choosing the right glue ensures durable bonds that withstand flexing and wear. This guide covers the best adhesives for leatherette and proper application techniques for professional results.

What is Leatherette and Why Regular Glue Fails

Leatherette is synthetic leather made from polyurethane (PU) or PVC coating on fabric backing. Unlike genuine leather, leatherette has low surface energy, making it difficult for adhesives to bond. Regular craft glues fail because they: lack flexibility (causing cracks), don't penetrate the plastic surface, or peel off under stress. Successful leatherette bonding requires flexible adhesives specifically formulated for plastics and vinyl.

Best Types of Glue for Leatherette

Contact Cement: Professional choice for upholstery. Apply to both surfaces, let dry tacky, press together for instant permanent bond. Barge cement and Weldwood are industry standards.
Flexible Vinyl Adhesive: Specifically formulated for vinyl and PU leather. Remains flexible after cure. Ideal for repairs and crafts. E6000 and Aleene's Leather & Suede are popular.
Polyurethane Adhesive: Creates flexible, waterproof bonds. Works on difficult plastics. Gorilla Glue and similar brands work but can expand (use sparingly).
Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue): Quick fix for small repairs. Apply accelerator for instant bond. Not ideal for flex areas but works for rigid bonding.
Hot Glue: Temporary solution or for low-stress applications. Easy application but limited durability on leatherette.

Application Techniques by Project Type

Furniture Reupholstery

Use contact cement for large areas. Apply thin coats to both surfaces (leatherette backing and furniture surface). Let dry 5-10 minutes until tacky. Position carefully—contact cement bonds instantly on contact. Smooth from center outward to prevent air bubbles.

Car Seat Repair

For tears and detached sections, use flexible vinyl adhesive. Clean with isopropyl alcohol, apply adhesive to both surfaces, clamp or weight for 24 hours. Reinforce large tears with patch from behind.

Leatherette to Fabric

Flexible fabric adhesive or E6000 works well. Apply to leatherette side (fabric absorbs glue), press together, clamp. Full cure takes 24-72 hours before use.

Leatherette Crafts

For jewelry, bags, or decorative items, use E6000 or Aleene's Leather glue. These dry clear, remain flexible, and don't discolor material. Apply thin layer, press together, let cure.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Clean Surfaces: Wipe with isopropyl alcohol to remove oils, dirt, and finishes. Let dry completely.
Roughen if Needed: For PU leather, lightly sand bonding area with fine sandpaper to improve adhesion.
Apply Adhesive: Follow product directions. Contact cement: both surfaces. Flexible adhesive: one or both surfaces depending on formula.
Wait for Tack: Contact cement must dry tacky before joining. Other adhesives may require immediate pressing.
Join Precisely: Contact cement bonds instantly—position carefully. Other glues allow 5-30 seconds repositioning.
Apply Pressure: Use roller, clamps, or weight. Even pressure ensures complete contact and strong bond.
Cure Time: Initial set: 1-4 hours. Full strength: 24-72 hours. Avoid stressing bond during cure.

Best Glue Products for Leatherette

Barge All-Purpose Cement: Professional upholsterer's choice. Permanent, flexible bond. Strong solvent smell, use with ventilation. $20-25 per quart.
E6000 Craft Adhesive: Flexible, industrial-strength formula. Works on vinyl, PU leather, and mixed materials. Dries clear. $6-8 per 2 oz tube.
Aleene's Leather & Suede Glue: Consumer-friendly option for crafts and repairs. Flexible, washable, non-toxic. $5-7 per 4 oz bottle.
Gorilla Clear Grip: Fast-drying flexible adhesive. Works on vinyl and difficult plastics. Clear finish. $7-9 per 3 oz tube.
Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic: Specialized formula for flexible materials. Permanent, waterproof. $6-8 per tube.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using craft glue or school glue—they don't bond to plastic surfaces
Skipping surface preparation—oils and dirt prevent adhesion
Applying too much adhesive—creates stiff, visible seams
Not allowing proper cure time before use
Using rigid adhesives in flex areas—causes cracking and failure

Frequently Asked Questions

What glue works best on faux leather?

Contact cement (Barge, Weldwood) is professional standard for large projects. E6000 or flexible vinyl adhesive works best for repairs and crafts. Choose based on project size and stress level.

Can you use Gorilla Glue on leatherette?

Yes, but use sparingly. Gorilla Glue (polyurethane formula) expands as it cures, which can create mess or distortion. It creates strong, flexible bonds but isn't ideal for thin materials or precise applications.

How do you glue leatherette to wood?

Contact cement works best for large areas (furniture upholstery). For smaller areas or crafts, use E6000 or polyurethane adhesive. Apply to both surfaces, clamp well, allow full 24-hour cure.

Will super glue work on faux leather?

Super glue (cyanoacrylate) creates quick bonds on leatherette but remains rigid and may crack with flexing. Use for small, non-flex repairs only. Gel formulas work better than liquid.

How do you repair peeling faux leather?

Clean area thoroughly, trim loose material, apply flexible vinyl adhesive to both surfaces, press flat, weight or clamp for 24 hours. For large peeling areas, consider recovering rather than repairing.

Successfully bonding leatherette requires understanding the material's unique properties and choosing adhesives that remain flexible. Whether you're reupholstering, repairing, or crafting, the right glue ensures professional-looking results that last. Need adhesives for other materials? Use our material matching tool or browse our complete adhesive database.