camera leather ?'s

[apocaplops]

What kind of adhesive can I use to reattach old camera leather? Will rubber cement work? I'm trying to fix up the old autographic Kodak I just picked up. Also, is there any source for replacement pieces, or just old junker cameras?

[Jack Fisher]

Erich,
I get leather in sheets from Micro-tools.  It has adhesive backing.  For reinstalling existing leather I use contact cement (thin layer).
I am sure you will get some more opinions from the group here.
Have fun...
Jack

[melek]

I have a technique that no one else seems to use. Basically, I'm using Scotch-brand Hi-Strength adhesive in an aerosol can (No. 90).

I mask and spray the body and the leather, wait about a minute and the press the two together. It's a rather permanent bond, so keep that in mind. You only have about a minute to work the leather before it sets.

There also is a No. 77 adhesive, but I find it to be only medium strength.

My latest project: Zeiss bumps on the back and major bumps and corrosion on the front. Stripped off the leather, cleaned the body, painted the brass rivets black and rebonded and then treated the leather.

[Glenn Thoreson]

Pliobond from Micro tools is good. I use clear weatherstrip adhesive from the auto parts store. It's kinda like the poor man's Pliobond.

[MichaelHarris]

I bought something to try, I haven't used it yet but it's some sort of stuff called Goo.  I'll look at the tube and see what it is.

[r-brian]

I actually bought Pliobond recently at an Ace Hardware store.  I read somewhere that they carried it and sure enough the one in Santa Fe had it, in two different sizes.  So far it works fine.

Brian

[melek]

The one reason I like the spray adhesive is that I can lay down a uniformly thin layer. I do on occasion use the stuff in a tube or brush-on Weldbond contact cement. My only gripe is that I am unable to brush on a uniformly thin layer.

[servojohn]

I'm with melek on this one-3m spray adhesives come in many varieties, even a Post It type version.  You get a much more uniform tack time, as well as thickness.  It's just easier, plus there are a lot of other gluing jobs that become easier.
Also, I've bought two sets of new leathers from http://www.cameraleathers.com and they come with PSA backing, and nicely stamped out shapes for many cameras.  Here's a shot of my redone Autocord that my daughter has claimed for herself:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/j_challiburton@sbcglobal.net/detail?.dir=/b1bbscd&.dnm=f4a8scd.jpg&.src=ph

Looks real cool with the flames camera strap too!  ;>)

Best regards,

John

[Brian Sweeney]

I've been using a double-sided "sticky" adhesive tape that I got from Jon Goodman. It is very thin, and strong. I also use it for rebuilding J-3's, when the set screws on the focus collar "strips out". It's thin enough and strong enough to get the collar back into place and to hold it on.

[apocaplops]

I've found some bad-ass coverings for my SX-70 here!

[Kevin Roach]

here's some instructions for reskinning a camera. This is the way I've done it anyway. Hope you find it helpful.

http://nelsonfoto.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3072