Flex Tape is created by the same brand that brought us Flex Seal. Both products are used around the world to create top-notch seals, relied on by millions of customers every day. However, you might be wondering if there’s any truth behind the hype created by the company.
So, does Flex Tape really work? Yes, Flex Tape really works, and you can use it for a variety of different applications. The key to its success is that it’s a rubberized tape, unlike the vast majority of other tapes on the market. It’ll withstand brute force, including increased pressure, water, and so on.
Without further ado, let’s see how useful Flex Tape is and compare it to other popular tape choices.
Flex Tape Review: Does it Work?
We all know that brands will do their best to sell their new products. Flex Seal brought an incredible audience along with them when they released Flex Tape.
Many people were skeptical, though. Is it possible to have a tape that can compare with epoxies and other reliable adhesives? Believe it or not, customer feedback indicates that Flex Tape has far exceeded previous expectations.
Not only does Flex Tape work as it’s advertised, but many people find themselves using it for incredible purposes that you wouldn’t expect. Since it’s made out of rubber, you don’t have to worry about it melting off as easily as non-treated tapes seem to. It can also work well underwater, unlike traditional tape.
Flex Tape is primarily designed to fit a multitude of shapes. Much like Flex Seal, it conforms to the area that needs to be repaired. Patch holes, cracks, and other issues without a problem, often regardless of the material that’s being fixed. All in all, many people have found Flex Tape to work incredibly well in numerous circumstances.
Flex Tape Uses
Flex Tape outperforms regular tape in the sense that it’s designed for heavy-duty uses.
You won’t be using Flex Tape to wrap presents and tape paper projects together. Instead, it can be used to repair small boats, PVC piping for swimming pools, sprinklers, and other uses, as well as torn vinyl. Flex Tape can even seal the side of an above-ground swimming pool by holding the water pressure inside.
When you’re trying to stick Flex Tape on fabric or other porous surfaces, try heating it first. This will loosen the sticky adhesive and make it much more likely to stay on the material. You can heat Flex Tape by using a blow dryer or something of the sort. Firmly apply pressure until it stays in place.
Flex Tape bonds over time. It won’t have a maximum ‘stickiness’ until it’s sat on the surface for about 24 hours. You should make sure that you wipe down all surfaces before you use Flex Tape on them. This is because it usually sticks to the first material that it comes in contact with, including grease or dust. Cleaning it off will allow the Flex Tape to achieve a perfect bond.
Flex Tape comes with a non-stick backing to prevent it from sticking to random materials before you use it. Measure the length that you’ll need, cut the tape down to size, and leave the backing on until you’re ready. Once you’ve cleaned the surface, you can place the Flex Tape down. Make sure that you firmly push out all of the air pockets to get the best bond possible.
The only downside to Flex Tape is that it cannot be repositioned once you use it. If you ever have to remove it, you won’t be able to use the same piece again. Using acetone, you can slowly remove Flex Tape from any surface. However, most people see this as an advantage because it goes to show how strong the bond is!
You should make sure to push out air and water pockets when you’re using it underwater as well. Small amounts of water can become trapped underneath Flex Tape, which slowly loosens it over time. Use a roller to remove these pockets, preventing any unwanted issues later on down the road.
Is Flex Tape Better than Duct Tape?
Flex Tape is far superior to duct tape in most circumstances. If you’re using it to seal up something wet or submerged in water, there’s no question. Regular duct tape instantly loses its stickiness the second that it contacts water, grease, or any other wet surface. This renders it useless in such situations.
Another reason that Flex Tape is better than duct tape is that it often comes in a massive roll. The 8-inch wide tape is far bigger than most others. It comes in a 5-foot long roll, which is more than you’d need on almost any surface. On the other hand, duct tape might have more length, but it’s usually about 2 inches wide max.
Flex Tape can be a bit overkill in some circumstances that you might prefer duct tape in. For example, wrapping up packages for shipping calls for duct tape. Flex Tape is also much more expensive than duct tape, which means that you should only use it whenever it’s necessary.
Overall, Flex Tape takes the cake against duct tape. It’s made primarily out of a rubbery substance, making it more durable right off the bat. The fact that it can withstand heat, moisture, and time better than duct tape is why so many people opt for Flex Tape over duct tape. However, they’re not really in the same playing field. It doesn’t hurt to have a roll of each sitting around for various uses.
Is Flex Tape Better than Gorilla Tape?
Gorilla Tape is a heavy-duty form of duct tape. However, you wouldn’t use it for the same purposes as regular duct tape. Using the shipping box example, Gorilla Tape would be far more excessive than you’d need. It’s used to hold together PVC piping and other sturdy surfaces that require a stronger bond.
Much like Flex Tape, Gorilla Tape is made after the company’s first invention. Gorilla Glue is a great choice to bond multiple surfaces together. Still, it can be inconvenient when you need to cover a large crack, for example. Once they made Gorilla Tape, millions of people started using it for similar purposes as Flex Tape.
As far as underwater applications are concerned, there’s a debate between the two tapes. Flex Tape covers more surface area, but many people argue that Gorilla Tape lasts longer in submerged environments. The debate goes back and forth, but it’s safe to say that both products are great for underwater usage.
Gorilla Tape is also known for its thickness. While not all surfaces require it, the thickness of Gorilla Tape presents a slight advantage over Flex Tape. If you’re dealing with a surface that’ll be bumped or agitated daily, you might want to consider Gorilla Tape. However, Flex Tape looks and feels much more low-profile.
For a flush appearance on a rubberized tape that can withstand the elements, Flex Tape is a great choice. On the other hand, Gorilla Tape is more useful in heavy-duty applications that will be roughed up frequently. In any sense, both Gorilla Tape and Flex Tape are top choices to find the adhesive bonding that you need.
Summary
Flex Tape is one of the best tapes on the market. There’s no doubt that it’s lived up to the hype behind it. The next time you need a strong bond for PVC, underwater applications, wood, metal, vinyl, and so on, you might not find a better product out there.
