Generally, people come across the use of various adhesive tapes for repair applications in tarps, roofs, plastic sheeting, tents, RV’s, and automotive in their day to day life.
One of the most common requirements that people look for in all these tapes is that it should be waterproof.
There are various types of tapes available in the market but gorilla tape is the most popular one.
Gorilla tape is one of the trusted brands when it comes to gluing & adhesive applications.
But the question arises, is the gorilla tape waterproof? Not all Gorilla tapes are waterproof, only few of them exhibit water resistance properties.
Gorilla tape has got many properties which makes it suitable for versatile applications.
The waterproof requirement stems from the fact that people always have applications to work upon which comes in contact with water at any given point in time.
Here in this article, we will discuss different gorilla tapes and its most suitable applications.
How To Apply Gorilla Tape
- Ensure clean and dry target surface free of dust, debris, dirt, oil, etc.
- Clean hands and hold tape by the edges to prevent fingerprints on tape.
- Apply tape to the target surface and cut the desired length of the tape.
- Tape shall make complete contact with the surface without any crinkles.
- Press the tape firmly and rub vigorously to ensure strong adhesion and smooth out air pockets which often get trapped.
Is Gorilla Tape Waterproof?
Gorilla is one of excellent waterproofing tape because of its below inherent physical and chemical properties.
- Gorilla tape is made up of butyl rubber-based adhesive. Polyester fabric laminated to butyl rubber binder provides a single-sided waterproof tape. The rubber flexes and adjusts itself to the target surface, which is one of the key reasons for ensuring a waterproof tight sealing interface.
- Gorilla tape has anti-ozone compounds in its rubber, which prevents the cracking and break down of rubber when it is exposed to direct sunlight UV rays.
Types of Gorilla Tape and Its Application
There are variety of gorilla tapes, each one is made for a specific purpose but the common application that few of them share is waterproof sealing.
Let us discuss each one of them in detail so that you can select the most suitable gorilla tape for your application.
Gorilla Tape
Gorilla tape has a tough triple layer which makes it strong and suitable for the versatile purpose.
Tight weave reinforcement adds to the strength and ensures a clean and neat tear by hand.
This tape has double thickness (0.38 mm) and is loaded with three times the amount of rubber-based adhesive compared to any other ordinary duct tape.
Hence this double-thick tape sticks well to smooth, rough, uneven surfaces like wood, stucco, plaster, brick, stone, etc.
Its robust weather-resistant shell withstands moisture, UV, and extreme temperatures in the environment.
The above combination makes it work great for both indoor and outdoor use.
The tape comes in different colors white, black, and silver.
The white color gorilla tape helps in repairs and camouflages typical white target surfaces but would not yellow outdoors.
Gorilla tapes are not flammable, hence there may not be any safety hazard from their usage.
Gorilla Tape Crystal Clear
Yes the name Gorilla Tape Crystal Clear itself indicates that it is a transparent crystal clear tape.
Long term exposure to heat causes the tape to yellow but this non-yellowing tape doesn’t undergo this change.
This is a heavy-duty multipurpose tape that is weatherproof and ensures airtight sealing.
It has got notched edges which ensures neat and clean tear by hands without the need for sharp objects for cutting.
This tape is ideal for any general purpose use and the ethylene copolymer rubber-based adhesive sticks to almost any application like plastic inflatables, wet surfaces, tarps, awnings, covers, camping, cracked smartphones, and automotive. Its contribution is endless.
What makes this tape popular is that it can be used for daily chores like repair, fix, patch, seal, hold, and protects any surface.
Since it is flexible it sticks and conforms to even rough & uneven surfaces to seal and protect it.
It is one of the good leak-proof tapes because of its waterproof backing.
It can be used in underwater applications and can be applied to wet surfaces without affecting its performance.
If possible, it is better to tape both sides of the target repair surface for a tight seal.
The point to remember is that in the underwater application, the water shall be rubbed and pressed out from underneath tape to ensure effective performance.
It also withstands UV and provides temperature resistance.
This makes it work great for repairs under both indoor and outdoor conditions.
Gorilla CAMO Tape
Yes, you heard it right! Gorilla Camo tape is the best tape for camouflaging application since the polyethylene coated cloth of the tape offers better pattern clarity, depth, and matte finish which is essential for this application.
It is perfect for hunting, fishing, camping, and backpacking applications.
It is ideal for application in outdoor fields like duck blinds, tree stands, and tent repairs, etc., It also ensures waterproof joints and can withstand UV.
This tape has got heavy-duty Cloth backing which gives the tape enough strength and durability, yet it can be easily torn by hand.
Gorilla Heavy Duty Double Sided Mounting Tape
As the name suggests Gorilla Heavy Duty Double Sided Mounting Tape is used for heavy loading applications.
This is a double side coated adhesive tape specifically made for easy hanging.
It can be used where a typical fastener arrangement is not a workable solution.
It can hold up to 30-60 lbs load depending upon the length of tape used, surface texture, porosity, and flatness of surfaces concerned.
Object surfaces to which it is applied must be completely flat to make full contact with the adhesive for optimum performance.
An important info about this tape is that it instantly holds the surface and provides permanent bonding and fast to use on applications like plastic, metal, wood, glass, brick, ceramic, stone & drywall, and more.
Just stick & fit!
But this tape is not to be used on wallpaper, delicate surfaces, polyethylene, and polypropylene plastics, or other non-stick surfaces.
This tape sticks to smooth and rough surfaces and provides weatherproof resistance hence it is also good for indoor and outdoor DIY projects.
Gorilla Tough & Clear Double Sided Mounting Tape
Gorilla Tough & Clear Double Sided Mounting Tape is also used in place of usual fastening joints like nails, screws, etc., similar to heavy-duty tape, except that the tape is transparent and crystal clear.
This tape is weatherproof hence can be used for both indoor and outdoor use.
The weight that this tape can sustain depends on the depth of the object.
If the depth is more than 0.75” then the object because of its cantilever load may put more stress on the bond of the tape and there are chances of tape adhesive bond failure.
Ensure that the tape is applied such that the object load will be distributed evenly on the tape, otherwise there can be undue load and stress on some portions of tape and negligible load on rest portions of tape.
Every 1-inch piece of tape takes up a load of one-quarter of a pound.
That means a 4-inch piece of tape is required to withstand 1 pound load.
If you don’t have sufficient space for sticking the required length of tape, then it would not work as expected.
It is recommended to apply the tape when the temperature is above 50° F, but it can be used in the application temperature range between -40° F to 240° F.
It is not to be used for an application wherein there can be injury if the application object falls.
This tape shall not be used in applications involving wallpaper, delicate surfaces, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, Teflon, or other non-sticky surfaces.
Gorilla Packaging Tape
Gorilla Packaging tape is one of the tough tapes that hold surfaces better.
This tape is suitable for packaging, shipping, moving, and storage.
Weather and temperature resistance is what makes this tape perfect for shipping and long-term storage application.
Since it is crystal clear, it is best used to box labels.
It is also split and tear-resistant but at the same time easy to cut which makes it painless to use.
This tape is ultra-thick and measures 3.4 mil that makes it strong and built to last for a long time
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape is one of best flexible tape which conforms to the target surface hence it is ideal for patch and seal holes, cracks, gaps, and tears.
This tape is suitable to use for underwater applications.
It is also UV and temperature resistant and has a waterproof backing.
This tape has got a permanent adhesive bond that instantly seals out air, water, and moisture.
It can be used in day to day applications like repairing leaks in roofs, rubber, plastic or vinyl pool liners, metal/aluminium, wood, glass, acrylic, etc., which makes it excellent tape to be used for home, auto, marine, camping, RVs, outdoors and more.
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape can be applied in hot, cold, wet, and dry conditions.
The size of tape used shall be more than the area under repair and it shall cover all edges to make a waterproof joint.
Tape should not be repositioned once applied.
New cut piece to be used every time for best performance.
Beware that this tape is not to be used on seams, applications under pressure, or under hood automotive applications.
It may not adhere to silicone or water-repellent materials. This tape is not to be used to hang objects.
Since the tape adhesive is strong and permanent, it may damage the target surface or paint, if removed.
Gorilla Permanent All Weather Waterproof Tape
Gorilla Permanent All Weather waterproof Tape is one of the best duct tape designed especially for outdoor applications.
One of the good features it has got is that it can be used in an underwater application, which many of us may be looking for, however, need to ensure that the surface to which it is applied shall be clean and dry before applying this tape.
This tape has low tack strong adhesive property which resists drying, cracking, and peeling that occurs in sunlight, heat, cold, and moisture environment which makes it a permanent application tape.
Since this is a permanent tape, it would leave a residue if the tape is removed.
You may need to use Goo Gone or other adhesive removers to clean up what remains on the applied surface.
It measures 1.88 inch. X 25 yards and 17 mils thick (0.43 mm).
Its unusually high thickness and tough reinforced backing make this tape unbelievably strong compared to other tapes.
One may doubt the durability of this tape over the period, but please be informed that this tape lasts long since it has weather resistant durable shell.
It withstands extreme climatic conditions that work in both hot and cold service temperatures ranging from -40° F to 200° F when it is applied at a temperature above 40° F.
It has got highly concentrated rubber-based adhesive that helps in sticking to most plastics, including polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
But point to be noted is that this Gorilla All Weather Tape does not work on materials with high oil or plasticizer content, such as EPDM rubber or PVC.
People tend to use or try any tape for any application, but it needs to be avoided to ensure the optimum performance of the tape.
One such thing is that Gorilla All Weather Tape should NOT be used as an electrical tape because it is not made for that application.
If you are looking for waterproof gorilla tape then, Crystal clear, Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape, and Permanent All Weather Waterproof tapes serve the purpose.
Conclusions
There are many varieties of gorilla tape, choosing the right one requires a good amount of understanding about the features of the tape, the suitability of the tape for a given application, material of the tape, adhesive strength, robustness, adhesive material, waterproof and weatherproof resistance.
It is worthwhile to adhere to the tape applying guidelines to be followed while sticking tape, to get the optimum performance from the tape.
Otherwise, we may end up dissatisfied with its performance.
From the above information, you may get a fair idea about all of the characteristics, so that you would pick up the closest suitable tape for the application which you are working on.
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