Flex Tape is a waterproof and rubberized tape that became popular on infomercials. It is advertised as a fix-all tape that can adhere to almost anything and even repair leaks in your pool. Our Flex Tape review took a closer look at the product and also compared it to a few similar items. We think it will be helpful as you decide whether Flex Tape is a wise buy for your individual needs.
Flex Tape is tape presented as a one-stop shop for patching and repairing everything from bathroom sinks to swimming pools. The bond is said to become stronger over time when used on anything from metal to wood to glass to concrete.
Advertisements for Flex Tape promote its ability to fix roof leaks, boat leaks, and plumbing leaks. Its waterproof features make it usable underwater. It has a triple thick adhesive that grips a variety of surfaces.
Flex Tape can be cut to a desired size and length. When the backing is removed, the tape is ready to be applied to a clean surface. The bond then gets stronger as time elapses. The only surfaces Flex Tape may not be recommended for are highly plasticized surfaces, silicone surfaces, water repellent surfaces, and fabric.
The tape is also not meant for extreme heat because the adhesive can become viscous in extreme heat. Therefore it would not be used for ovens or similar products that exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Flex Tape is not intended to be a permanent solution to most problems. This may account for some poor reviews and failed expectations. The product comes with a 30-day return policy.
Our Flex Tape review looked at a 4-inch by 5-feet roll of the rubberized tape. The product weighs just under half a pound. Its packaged assembly was 7.5 x 7.5 x 4.5 inches. The primary element of the tape is rubber.
We attempted to account for a number of variables in our Flex Tape review as it concerned pricing. Many of the tapes we looked at come in a variety of lengths and widths. Our goal was to compare apples with apples as we compared prices.
For instance, Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape can be purchased in a 50-foot roll, and it is only slightly more expensive than a five-foot roll of Flex Tape.
The five-foot roll of Flex Tape we looked at was two inches wide and cost around $13. The 50-foot competitor cost $21. The XFasten Waterproof Patch Seal Repair and Leak Shield Tape was priced similarly to Flex Tape, while you can buy twice as much Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal flexible tape for about the same price.
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
Our Flex Tape review found the steps for using this tape to be pretty straightforward. You have to cut your tape to the desired length and shape. A backing covers the tape’s adhesive, so once the tape has been cut, the backing must be removed.
To apply the tape, press firmly. Be sure to remove any air bubbles using a credit card or similar instrument. Once applied, the tape cannot be moved or repositioned, so apply carefully. A lot of users have complained that the adhesive is messy, so be sure to avoid getting it on your hands and fingers when applying.
While Flex Tape claims to have applications for an abundant number of surfaces and problems, our Flex Tape review uncovered an overwhelming number of users who were disappointed with its ability to adhere to surfaces and stop leaks. Again, we think it is important to note that Flex Tape is intended for emergency and temporary fixes, but it also claims the bond strengthens over time.
Flex Tape is a strong adhesive that works on multiple surfaces, but when so many people feel the product did not work for them, we have to take notice.
In lieu of an actual warranty, all Flex Seal products come with a 30-day return policy. If you are not satisfied and return the product within 30 days, you will receive a refund minus the shipping price.
Users can reach out to the customer service center by phone and request an RMA number. When the number is received, the product must be returned in its original box with the original packing slip. The RMA number should be written clearly on the outside of the package and mailed to Flex Seal.
Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape is an aggressive sealing tape made of butyl rubber. It is advertised as an all-weather tape that is UV resistant.
Unlike Flex Tape, Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape promotes itself as a permanent solution to sealing problems. It can be used below grade for basement penetration issues and it uses no VOC solvents.
It is effective in extreme cold all the way to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Like Flex Tape, anything beyond 200 degrees is meant for use with Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape.
The tape boasts its flexibility, making it useful on a number of surfaces from gutters to foundations. It should be applied to a dry surface and makes no water-proof claims like Flex Tape. However, the tape’s backing is water-resistant.
Our Flex Tape review took a look at ProTapes Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape and its steps of usage. We looked specifically at a 50-foot roll that was two inches wide. The roll is divided into ready-to-use patches.
The tape can still be cut into specific shapes if needed, but the flexibility is meant to conform to unique shapes. From there, the tape applies much like any rolled tape in a simple and straightforward manner.
ProTapes Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape is meant to be applied to clean, dry surfaces. It promotes itself as useful for gutters, some pipes, mobile homes, and many other surfaces.
It can be applied in low temperatures, all the way to minus-70 degrees Fahrenheit, and it remains useful in extreme heat up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Once applied, the tape is UV resistant and water resistant.
Reviews from users on the tape’s application vary between high satisfaction and low satisfaction. We noted that while some users were not happy with their purchase, many were fully satisfied.
There is no warranty on ProTapes Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape.
XFasten Waterproof Patch Seal Repair and Leak Shield Tape is another sealing tape product that claims to make waterproof seals. The tape is made of a silicone and butyl rubber and, much like Flex Tape, claims it can be applied to surfaces under water.
Unlike Flex Tape, the XFasten Waterproof Patch Seal Repair and Leak Shield Tape is meant for long-term repairs. It is marketed for all types of weather and withstands temperatures from minus-30 degrees Fahrenheit to 374 degrees Fahrenheit, making it tolerable to higher heats than Flex Tape or ProTapes Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape.
The tape is rated for five years of longevity after installation without curling or cracking.
Used on a roll, the XFasten Waterproof Patch Seal Repair and Leak Shield Tape has an unambiguous application similar to any roll of tape, such as duct tape. Some users do complain that in the sunlight and hot weather the adhesive becomes gooey during use and results in a mess.
Pipes, leaking roofs, and boats are some of the applications considered appropriate for XFasten Waterproof Patch Seal Repair and Leak Shield Tape. The rubber backing is resistant to damage when placed on a rough surfaces.
The feedback from users is varied, with some quite happy about the product’s abilities and others frustrated. Much like ProTapes Pro Flex, while some users were not happy with their purchase, many were fully satisfied.
There is no warranty with your XFasten Waterproof Flex Seal Repair and Leak Shield Tape.
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal flexible tape creates a seal that keeps out air and water. It creates instant moisture resistance for indoor or outdoor repairs. A heavy layer of adhesive is adjacent to a UV-proof backing.
The tape is flexible to conform to cracks and other rough surfaces. It is promoted for use on pipes, roofs, and even pool liners. The tape is serviceable from minus-70 degrees Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, but it should be stored at room temperature.
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape should be applied to surfaces that are clean and near room temperature. The tape has a liner over the adhesive, so you can cut it to the size and shape you need. When cut, the liner can be removed and tape affixed to the designated surface.
When the tape is applied it cannot be repositioned, so it is important to apply it carefully. Once applied, rub the tape to seal and remove air pockets. Be sure to rub the edges firmly. If applying to a wet surface, pressure must be applied to ensure all water is removed from under the tape.
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal flexible tape is intended for application on anything from hose leaks to roof leaks to rubber, wood, plastic, or glass. Like Flex Tape, the Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal flexible tape product is billed for its use under water, including for pool liner repair.
It can be applied in all weather, but its recommended application is room temperature for best results. Users provided another mixed bag of feedback for this tape. Many users gave the tape five stars, but others deemed it a failure. The tape does not have an immediately sticky or messy feel when the liner is removed. However, once applied, it adheres in moments and becomes bonded quickly.
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal flexible tape comes with a one-year exchange warranty.
At the conclusion of our Flex Tape review, we gave the noteworthy infomercial product two stars. Flex Tape is a sturdy tape with a strong adhesive, and it can be useful in many situations. If it is used as a temporary tape in a pinch, it can be serviceable for many jobs.
However, whether its usefulness is worth the price tag is a decision each buyer will have to make individually. It is priced as an all-purpose tape with a wide array of uses, including underwater pool repairs. Yet the majority of users providing feedback disagree with the breadth of its use.
Would a 50-foot role of ProTapes Pro Flex Flexible Butyl All Weather Patch and Shield Repair Tape or other product be a better buy? That is a decision only an individual buyer can make. We hope this Flex Tape review gave you a good starting point as you research that decision.