Patching holes, cracks, and roofs can present quite the nightmare. But not if you get the right sealant for your projects. Two of the most popular sealant brands available today are Flex Seal rubber sealant and Gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray.
Faced with these two choices, it can be quite confusing on which product to get. Here, I provide you with the best write-up and comparison to help you decide on the best product for your needs.
What is Flex Seal?
I know most of you are already wondering, what is flex spray? Flex spray sealant is a rubberized sealant spray used for coating, sealing, and stopping leaks on interior and exterior surfaces.
The product sprays out from its bottle as a liquid and seeps into cracks and holes to form a watertight seal and flexible coat. After the coat dries, you can paint the surface the color of your choice.
But the painting option doesn’t mean this product comes in one boring color. It is available in black, white, clear, blue, green, gray, red, brown, terra cotta, yellow, almond and brite. We love to define flex sealant as ‘a handyman in a can’ as roofers.
Where can I Use Flex Seal?
Can I use flex sealant on any surface? This is quite a common question for homeowners who love DIY projects. The good news is that flex sealant works well on various surfaces from your metal roofs, metal surfaces, wood, tile, concrete, glass, plastic, aluminum, porcelain, rubber, cement, and even vinyl.
However, the company recommends applying even coats on holes and cracks for maximum durable results. You should also ensure 24-48 hours between coats to allow each coat to cure fully.
Pros of Flex Seal
- Flex sealant is rust, corrosion, and UV resistant. This property ensures that your surface is sufficiently protected from the sun, rust, and corrosion.
- You can apply flex sealant to both wet and dry surfaces. You don’t need to wait until a surface is dried completely, as flex sealant can work well whether applied to dry or wet surfaces. However, the product manufacturers always recommend application to dry surfaces for best results. If you apply on a wet surface, ensure you add several coats after the surface is completely dry.
- Flex Sealant is a flexible product. It does not sag, crack or peel when exposed to extreme weather conditions.
- Allows smooth application from the beginning to the end of product application.
- It’s eco-friendly and nontoxic to the users.
Cons of Flex Seal
- Flex sealant is only best for small cracks, holes, and leaks.
- The product is not completely waterproof. Most product users complain that there will still be some slight leakage. Ensure you limit the use of this seal spray in areas with hydraulic pressure.
What is Gorilla Spray?
Gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray is a heavy-duty yet flexible rubberized coating to seal moisture, water, and air from surfaces.
This rubberized coating comes in a spray can with an applicator nozzle. The applicator nozzle has a controlled spray pattern providing a clean and even coat, even if you embark on a DIY project.
On application, this spray will smoothly cover small gaps and cracks, ensuring the creation of a flexible, watertight seal. You can also paint the seal to achieve the aesthetic appeal you desire for your surface.
Where can I Use Gorilla Spray?
On their website, Gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray manufacturers indicate that you can use it indoors and outdoors but are most suitable for exterior use.
Therefore, you can use this product on your roofs, gutters, skylights, flashing, chimneys, PVC pipe joints, windows, RVs, and exterior DIY projects. Avoid using on firebox or chimney stack.
Before use, it’s always advisable to conduct a test spray on a disposable object. You will need to apply multiple coats and allow sufficient time for curing in-between coating for the best results.
It’s a great spray for metal, concrete, wood, aluminum, brick, tile, fabric, rubber, and glass. However, you need to be careful with the types of plastics and rubbers as the manufacturers provide a warning that the product may not work for all types of plastics and rubbers.
Pros of Gorilla Spray
- Gorilla spray has a controlled spray pattern to ensure a clean and even coat for the surface you are coating.
- The product has a self-leveling formula allowing smooth covering of small gaps and cracks.
- It’s UV resistant, waterproof, and temperature resistant.
- Gorilla glue, whether it’s the white or black gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray, is paintable. So, you can create the colors you want on your surface. And it will work well with both latex and oil-based paints.
Cons of Gorilla Spray
- It has limited color options. Gorilla spray’s I available in black, white, and clear. But you don’t have to worry if these are not your colors and you decide to go with gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray as it is paintable.
- The nozzle clogs easily. Most users have also complained that the nozzle clogs easily after use, resulting in a clumpy application. To avoid clogging, you can turn the can away from the body towards a disposable object after each use and spray a short jet of clear gas. Alternatively, remove the nozzle and then soak it in paint thinner.
Flex Spray vs. Gorilla Spray: Which is Better?
These two options are flexible and have similar water resistance capabilities, UV resistance, and paintable features. Flex Seal is the best choice because it’s available in various colors, allows smooth application from start to finish, eco friendly, and is nontoxic. However, Gorilla Spary is more affordable.
But there has to be a tie breaker-right? With my years of experience, my quick answer would be that Flex is better than Gorilla waterproof patch. Flex sealant is available in various colors, allows smooth application from start to finish, and is eco-friendly and nontoxic.
Although it’s slightly more expensive than Gorilla (the brite, clear and black options), these additional advantages make it worth the cost. So if it’s within your budget, you are better off purchasing Flex than gorilla spray.
However, I also like to advise users that there are various factors to consider before arriving at this decision. Always look at your budget, the affected area, the smoothness of the coating, and finally, your area’s temperature and weather conditions.
Flex Seal vs. Gorilla Spray: Side by Side Comparison
As I’ve stated earlier, I like to advise users to consider various factors before deciding on either flex spray or gorilla waterproof patch spray.
So, I’ve prepared this side-by-side comparison of flex sealant and Gorilla waterproof patch spray so that you make a more informed decision.
Price
If you are banking on price to be the deal-breaker, you might be confused as their prices vary with the color. The two products don’t have that much price difference for the clear products.
The Gorilla waterproof patch and seal has its 14 oz two pack retailing at $25.46, while Flex sealant of the same quantity retails at $25.90.
However, Gorilla in white is more expensive than its Flex spray counterpart. The Gorilla white 14 oz two-pack retail at $39.42, while Flex retails at 29.88.
The black gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray retails at $39.23 for the 14 oz two-pack, while a similar Flex sealant product, but brite colored, retails at $40.88.
Seal Offerings
Both Flex sealant and gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray have different size options available. They come in a 14 oz. to a maximum of 17 oz can.
Both seals can be used for outdoor and indoor projects on usage offerings. However, Gorilla recommends its product mostly for outdoor use for your roofs, PVC pipe joints, and other exterior areas.
So, you may have to use Flex sealant for indoor projects most of the time. And for both products, you will need to use multiple coatings for maximum sealant effect.
Where it is Sold
Gorilla spray makes it easy for users to locate its products from its website. The company has explicitly put out a ‘where to buy link.
Gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray are available on Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot from this link. In addition, you can find flex sealant on lowes.com, Amazon, and in the hardware section of your favorite stores such as Amazon and Home Depot.
Coverage
Seal coverage can help you easily determine which seal you’ll take depending on your budget and the area you want to seal.
Generally, Gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray has a larger coverage than flex sealant. A 16oz. Gorilla seal spray can cover up to 18.75 sq. ft. A similar flex spray can cover up to 12 sq. ft.
However, you need to be careful to follow respective company instructions for the best results. Both manufacturers of flex sealant and gorilla seal spray indicate that you have to apply multiple coats to seal an area completely.
But, how do you know how many coats to apply? This is a common question, especially for DIY project fans. Luckily, the respective companies have provided instructions on testing for the need for additional coats.
Gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray recommend testing your finished project with light water exposure. If the test fails, then you need to add more coats.
You should be careful not to cover cracks or holes larger than ΒΌ inch with this product, as this is the recommended size of cracks by Gorilla. Put additional coats if light can still seep through the cracks or leaks for flex spray.
Durability
Most seals are not a permanent solution. Flex and gorilla waterproof patch and seal spray are no exception. So, which one is more durable?
Well, the durability of a seal depends on the environment, water exposure, the coats added, and maintenance measures. So, if you live in an environment where the weather conditions are not extreme and maintain your sealed surface well, your seal will last. And if, after application, some seal spray is leftover, store it in a cool, dry location.
But to break the tie-, I have found that flex sealant is more durable than gorilla spray. It has a higher water resistance ability, making it less vulnerable to rain and better able to stop leaks.
It is also quite flexible, so it’s likely to last for years without cracking, peeling, or losing its strength and coating properties.
Color Selections
Both flex sealant and gorilla spray have various color options, but Flex spray carries the day. Gorilla glue is only available in clear, black, and white.
Flex spray is available in about 12 colors; black, white, clear, blue, green, gray, red, brown, terra cotta, yellow, almond, and brite. Although both sealants are paintable, having a variety of color options can save you the trouble of painting.
Quality
I know most of us want quality and effective products. Although Flex sealant and Gorilla glue do not have such a huge difference in quality, Flex sealant has higher quality ratings than Gorilla glue, indicating that customers are more satisfied with the product.
In addition, flex sealant has better waterproofing capabilities, is more UV resistant, has more color options, and is more durable. These positive points make Flex sealant a winner for quality and lasting repairs.
Maintenance of the Sealed Surface
I’ve already mentioned that maintaining your sealed surface is key to durability, irrespective of the seal you decide to use.
So, between the two products, which one is easier to maintain? From personal experiences and customer reviews, I would say that flex spray is easier to maintain. This seal dries more smoothly than the gorilla glue so cleaning it is a breeze.
You’ve probably read that the gorilla glue has a self-leveling formula. So, how comes it doesn’t dry smoothly. It’s applicator nozzle which allows a controlled spray pattern is the culprit as it clogs easily, leading to a clumpy finished surface that is harder to maintain.
Warranty and Refund Policy
And onto the last item for our side-to-side comparison warranty and refund policy. Gorilla glue’s refund policy states that customers can return the product within 30 days if they are dissatisfied. According to company policies, if the consumer has used or opened the product, it is not considered fit for return.
The company has also given out a statement noting that all of its products are warranted free from defects in material and workmanship for one year from purchase.
On the other hand, Flex sealant has a similar return policy where dissatisfied consumers can return the product within 30 days of purchase. The company also offers a limited one-year warranty. So, both products are at the same level regarding warranty and refund policy.
Flex Seal vs. Gorilla Spray: Which One should you Choose
These two options are flexible and have similar water resistance capabilities, UV resistance, and paintable features. Flex Seal is the best choice because it’s available in various colors, allows smooth application from start to finish, eco friendly, and is nontoxic. However, Gorilla Spary is more affordable.
I hope this detailed comparison will make your sealant-shopping journey seamless. Generally, flex sealant will be a better option if you are looking for a durable, diverse color, quality, and easy to maintain option. Your budget should not be a cause for alarm as both products are within the same price range. Happy buying!