I'm building the DeHavilland bag and last night I glued my interfacing to the flesh side of the main bag panels. It was the first time I've glued larger pieces of fabric to leather and I found it nearly impossible to get enough PVA onto the surface of the leather and spread evenly before it goes clear and dries. The result is some areas where adhesion is weak to non-existent. I was able to try going really fast (and not nearly as careful/deliberate as I'd like to have done) and get say 80% or so moderately well adhered. Then I went back around the edges after applying the fabric (where adhesion seemed worst) and re-glued those bits as best I could.
I'm using Aleene's Tacky Glue. The Evo Stik waterproof PVA that Phil uses in the Techniques of Adhesive video wasn't readily available so I got something inexpensive to try it out.
I did a little research and many people seem to use a spray adhesive (3M makes a few popular types) instead of PVA.
Do any of you have techniques for getting enough glue down quickly enough or somehow slowing the rate of drying when using PVA on a large panel? Or recommendations for slower drying glues?
@chris Hi Chris.
I am going to assume you live in a warm or dry environment? Ideally this shouldn't be happening to you.
The following advice should be tested on scrap first and used with caution, but you can go over the interfacing on a moderate heat setting to reactivate the PVA causing the canvas to stick in areas that were not filly adhered.
Please be careful if you wish to attempt this. Too much heat can cause the leather to shrink rapidly.
This is less likely with chrome tanned leather as it is more heat resistant due to the lower density.
It is possible to use this technique to remove the interfacing too. But it all depends on the type of PVA and what's in it.
Never had that issue, but I use the Evostick.
I would say use a very wide brush, a painter's one, maybe like 10 cm wide and go quickly.
But, in theory, if the pva is drying, it means the leather is absorbing it, and you should add more until it stops absorbing it.
what are you using to spread the pva?
Also, i noticed something with the craft glues, most of them advertise a "fast drying formula", so that might also be it.