GORILLA Tough & Clear Double Sided Mounting Tape, Clear Tape, 1" x 150" (Pack of 1) - Weatherproof for Indoor or Outdoor

I reach for double‑sided tape more often than I reach for a drill, and Gorilla’s Tough & Clear mounting tape has earned a permanent spot in my kit. It’s a clear, gel-like adhesive strip that feels closer to an acrylic bonding pad than a traditional craft tape, and it’s meant for permanent mounting. Over several months, I used it indoors and out—on brick, stucco, painted drywall, wood, and glass—to see where it excels and where you should consider alternatives.

What it is and how it’s different

This is a 1-inch-wide, 150-inch-long clear double-sided mounting tape rated for up to 38 pounds. That number is realistic only when you have enough surface area, clean mating surfaces, and a good bond line—think more like “strong permanent tape” than “a miracle strip that holds everything with a postage stamp.” The clear construction disappears behind objects, and the slightly compressible adhesive helps conform to rough textures like brick and stucco better than thin film tapes.

Application experience

Prep matters. I got the most reliable results by cleaning both surfaces with isopropyl alcohol and letting them dry fully. Avoid household cleaners that leave surfactants; they weaken the bond.

Cutting is straightforward with scissors. The tricky part is the protective liner: it’s clear-on-clear, which can be fiddly to separate. My consistent method:
- Cut a piece slightly shorter than the edge you’re covering.
- Stick one end down and pinch a corner with a fingernail.
- Gently stretch the tape; the liner usually “pops” off at the corner and you can peel it cleanly.

Once the liner is off, avoid touching the adhesive and apply firm, even pressure for 20–30 seconds. For items carrying vertical loads (like frames or doorbell plates), orienting strips horizontally helps distribute shear forces along the tape—this small detail makes a big difference in holding power.

Strength and real-world loads

I tested three typical scenarios:
- A 5-pound framed mirror on painted drywall: Two 4-inch strips near the top edge and one 3-inch strip along the bottom held solid for three months with no creep. I would not push much beyond this on paint; heavy glass deserves mechanical anchors.
- LED light channels along a wooden fence: 1-inch squares spaced every 10–12 inches kept the channels secure through storms and hot days, with only a couple of re-tacks needed after a season.
- A smart doorbell plate on stucco: Two 3-inch strips held the plate securely. Removing the doorbell to charge didn’t disturb the mount.

Across the board, the tape performs well in shear (sideways force) and less well in peel (forces trying to lift an edge). The more flat, continuous contact you give it, the happier it is.

Surface compatibility

This tape shines on:
- Rough masonry (brick, stone, stucco) where thinner tapes fail
- Finished wood and sealed MDF
- Metal, including aluminum siding
- Most glass and tile, provided they’re squeaky clean

Where I’m cautious:
- Delicate or flat paint finishes (eggshell and matte) that don’t have great cohesive strength—removal may pull paint
- Powder-coated surfaces with textured finishes
- Dusty, crumbly plaster without sealing
- Vinyl wallpaper (risk of tearing)

On glass, cleanliness is everything. Finger oils dramatically reduce adhesion. With a properly cleaned pane, my tests held well; with “clean-ish” glass, small items slid over time.

Weather and temperature performance

Outdoors, the tape handled rain, freeze-thaw cycles, and heat on vertical shaded surfaces with no drama. Where I did see a limit was inside a car. A small dashboard mounting test softened and sagged after sitting in direct summer sun—cabin temps in a closed car are simply beyond what most clear acrylic adhesives tolerate. For automotive interiors exposed to direct sun, a dedicated high-temperature adhesive pad or mechanical solution is safer.

Removal and residue

This is a permanent tape, and it behaves like one. If you need damage-free removals, opt for a removable strip product. That said, there are ways to minimize headaches:

• To remove an item, don’t pry. Use dental floss or fishing line in a gentle sawing motion to cut through the adhesive layer.
• Roll remaining adhesive off with your thumb; a citrus-based adhesive remover or isopropyl alcohol helps with residue.
• Gentle heat (hair dryer on low) softens the bond, but use care on paints and plastics.

On sturdy, non-porous surfaces (glass, metal), I could get back to clean with patience. On painted drywall, I did lift paint in a test patch. On aluminum siding, I could remove the mounted item, but a thin layer of adhesive required time to clean off.

How it compares and where it fits

Compared with foam mounting tapes, this clear tape:
- Is less visible after installation
- Conforms better to uneven textures due to its gel-like consistency
- Offers a stronger, more permanent bond than typical craft/office double-sided tapes

Compared with removable strips, it:
- Holds more and tolerates weather better
- Is not designed for clean removal

If you’re outfitting a rental and plan to leave walls pristine, this isn’t your everyday solution. If you’re mounting decor, hardware accessories, or light fixtures where you’d otherwise drill—especially on masonry or exterior surfaces—this tape is a capable substitute.

Tips for best results

• Prep thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol, then wait until fully dry.
• Use multiple shorter, horizontal strips near the top load path rather than one long vertical strip.
• Don’t skimp on contact area; the “up to 38 lb” rating assumes ample bonding surface.
• Apply firm pressure and, if possible, let the bond settle for an hour before loading.
• Avoid high-heat environments like sun-baked dashboards.
• For rough brick or stone, press the tape into the surface first to wet out the texture, then apply the object.

Durability over time

Outdoors on a fence and stucco, my installations stayed put through months of heat, wind, and storms. Indoors, mirrors and frames stayed level with no creep. I did a long-term check after a season: a few exterior light clips needed a small replacement square where wood movement created peel forces, but most locations remained solid. The clarity of the tape kept installations visually clean; you don’t notice it unless you’re looking for it.

Value

At 150 inches, the roll goes farther than you might expect. For many jobs, 1-inch squares spaced intelligently are sufficient. Because it’s permanent, mistakes are costly—measure twice, dry-fit, and mark lightly before sticking. If you plan to do lots of temporary or frequently rearranged mounts, a removable system will be more economical in the long run.

Bottom line

Gorilla’s Tough & Clear mounting tape is a dependable, permanent adhesive solution that excels on rough and uneven surfaces and holds up well outdoors. It’s clear, strong, and versatile—provided you respect the basics of surface prep and load orientation. The trade-offs are real: liner removal can be fiddly, repositioning is essentially a no-go, and removal may damage paint or require patient cleanup. I wouldn’t use it for high-heat automotive interiors or on delicate finishes I can’t risk marring.

Recommendation: I recommend this tape for permanent mounting on masonry, wood, metal, and clean glass, especially where you want a discreet, weather-tough bond without drilling. If you’re in a rental and need guaranteed clean removals, or you’re working in high-temperature environments, choose a removable strip or a high-temp specialty adhesive instead.