GORILLA Max Strength Construction Adhesive, Clear Glue, 9 Ounce Cartridge (Pack of 1) - Gap Filling and Waterproof

Why I reached for a clear construction adhesive

A project weekend pushed me to try Gorilla Max Strength adhesive for a mix of indoor and outdoor fixes where a traditional yellow or white adhesive bead would have looked out of place. I needed something strong, weatherproof, and truly clear—capable of bonding dissimilar materials and filling gaps without turning the repair into the focal point. This cartridge promised exactly that, and after putting it through its paces on brick, concrete, metal, glass, and rubber, I’m convinced it belongs in the same conversation as the most reliable construction adhesives—just with a cleaner finish.

What it is and how it behaves

This is a clear, heavy-duty construction adhesive in a standard 9 oz cartridge. It’s a thick, non-sag formula that lays down a bead cleanly and doesn’t run on vertical surfaces. The finish cures crystal clear, which is rare in the construction adhesive category; most heavy-duty options cure opaque or amber.

You will need a caulk gun. It’s a dense adhesive, so a decent gun with a smooth-rod mechanism makes application much easier, especially in cooler temperatures when the material thickens. Cut the nozzle smaller than you think you’ll need at first—you can always enlarge the opening. Puncture the inner seal, and you’re ready to go.

The working time feels generous enough to position parts and make adjustments, but it also has a meaningful initial tack within minutes. I generally see handling strength by the next day, with full cure taking 24–48 hours depending on bead thickness, temperature, and humidity. Patience pays off; you can tape, clamp, or brace parts as needed and come back to a rock-solid bond.

Bond strength across materials

I used it to reset decorative brick pieces on an exterior wall that sees full sun in the afternoon and cool nights. I buttered the back of each brick with a few quarter-sized dabs, pressed them into position, and taped them overnight. The next day, the bricks were immovable, and weeks later they’re still tight with no signs of creep or adhesive discoloration.

On concrete, I tested it two ways: as a bond for a threshold strip and as a filler in hairline-to-small cracks. In both cases, it performed well. It doesn’t slump into a puddle, so you can build it up slightly to bridge uneven surfaces. Once cured, it’s tough and slightly elastic—exactly what you want when temperature swings try to pull materials apart.

Glass bonding is where the “clear” claim turns from nice-to-have to essential. I repaired a glass panel trim piece where a visible glue line would have ruined the look. The bond is strong and, most importantly, disappears. On metal, it holds fast as long as surfaces are clean, dry, and free of oils. I wiped down the mating surfaces with isopropyl alcohol and had zero issues.

As with any construction adhesive, I avoid low-surface-energy plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene unless a manufacturer specifically lists them. For everything else—wood, masonry, glass, tile, painted surfaces, rubber—the Gorilla Max Strength adhesive has been both reliable and forgiving.

Waterproof, weatherproof, and usable on damp repairs

I used it on a damp outdoor repair around a water feature, where waiting for a perfectly dry surface wasn’t practical. The adhesive grabbed and cured without whitening or clouding. Once fully cured, it shrugged off constant splash exposure. It’s billed as waterproof and workable even underwater; while I still prefer to give any adhesive a little protected cure time, I was impressed by how it handled moisture without compromising clarity or bond integrity.

Finish: truly clear and paintable

“Clear” here isn’t marketing gloss—it actually cures transparent, which makes a huge difference on visible joints. I’ve used so-called clear adhesives that dry jelly-like or amber. This one blends in. If you need to paint over it, it accepts paint well after a full cure. I’ve had good results with water-based trim paints without fisheyes or weird texture telegraphing.

One note: as with any clear adhesive, the visibility of trapped dust or bubbles is higher. Keep surfaces clean and apply steady pressure to minimize entrapped air. For long lines, a consistent bead and a quick tool with a wet finger or a finishing tool gives a cleaner look.

Gap filling and sealing

As a gap filler, it’s effective. I’ve used it to bridge small voids in trim and to seal around a slightly uneven backsplash edge. It remains just flexible enough to tolerate movement without cracking, but it doesn’t stay gummy. For wide gaps, multiple thinner passes are better than one heavy bead—cure happens from the outside in, and massive beads can stay soft in the core longer than you expect.

While it’s not a pure silicone or hybrid sealant, it doubles as one for many in-home projects where strength and clarity matter more than maximum elasticity. I wouldn’t use it for expansion joints that need high movement accommodation, but for sealing and bonding in one go, it’s a practical choice.

Application tips and cleanup

• Use a quality caulk gun. A cheap ratcheting gun can make a thick adhesive feel like a workout.
• Dry fit parts first. Once you cut the tip and puncture the seal, the clock starts. Mark alignment references and have tape/clamps ready.
• Clean surfaces. Degrease metals, dust off masonry, and wipe glass with alcohol.
• Ventilation helps. There’s a light solvent odor on application that dissipates quickly, but I still crack a window inside.
• Cleanup before cure is best with mineral spirits on a rag. Once cured, expect mechanical removal—scraping or a wire brush on concrete.
• Cap and store upright. If you plan to reuse the cartridge, leave a small cured plug in the nozzle; you can often pull it out later and keep using the tube with minimal waste.

Durability and real-world use

After outdoor exposure through heat and rain, I haven’t seen yellowing, haze, or edge peel. The bonds feel confident even under modest load and repeated temperature cycling. For vertical installs, I still tape or brace overnight; while the adhesive is non-sag, gravity and weight can defeat even the best formulas before they fully grab.

The 9 oz cartridge goes farther than you might think for spot repairs and trim work, but large surface laminations will consume a tube quickly. If you’re tackling bigger coverage, plan for multiple cartridges to avoid starved joints.

How it compares to other options

Compared to polyurethane construction adhesives, this one gives you clarity with less tendency to foam or discolor, and it’s easier to finish cleanly. Compared to silicones, it bonds far more aggressively to porous materials and can be painted. Against solvent-heavy options, the Gorilla Max Strength adhesive strikes a better balance between quick tack, low slump, and a usable open time.

It’s not the cheapest per ounce, but the performance and finish quality justify the price when appearance matters or when you need a single tube to handle multiple substrates without guesswork.

Limitations and gotchas

• You do need a caulk gun, and a decent one makes a noticeable difference.
• It’s strong, but not instant. Plan for a full day before stressing the joint.
• Clear finishes show everything—keep your surfaces and bead tidy.
• Like most construction adhesives, it’s not ideal for low-energy plastics; check compatibility if that’s your use case.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth keeping in mind.

Recommendation

I recommend Gorilla Max Strength adhesive for anyone who needs a clear, waterproof construction adhesive that can bond a wide range of materials and pull double duty as a gap-filling sealant. It’s particularly well-suited to mixed-material repairs, visible joints where an opaque bead would be an eyesore, and outdoor fixes that face the elements. The strong initial grab, clean finish, and reliable cure make it a dependable choice, and the ability to paint over it expands its usefulness in finish work. If you’re equipped with a good caulk gun and can give the bond proper cure time, this adhesive is a confident, tidy solution that has earned a permanent spot in my kit.