GORILLA Crystal Clear Tape, 1.88” x 18 yd (Pack of 1) - Weather Resistant for Indoor or Outdoor Projects and Repairs

A clear repair tape that actually holds

Most clear “repair” tapes I’ve used behave more like glossy packing tape: they look tidy for a day and then curl, fog, or turn yellow. Gorilla Clear Tape surprised me by behaving like a true heavy‑duty tape that just happens to be transparent. After months of using it on everything from outdoor signage to quick automotive fixes, I now keep a roll in my toolbox and in the glove box.

What it is and why it’s different

This roll is 1.88 inches wide and 18 yards long, with a thick adhesive layer bonded to a clear, UV‑resistant backing. Two things stand out immediately:

• It’s genuinely clear. On glass and smooth plastics, it practically disappears aside from the edges.
• The adhesive is dense and tenacious. It wets out into small surface textures where standard duct tape doesn’t.

That combination lets me make repairs I’m not embarrassed to look at later, and that don’t fail after a few days in the sun or rain.

Real‑world adhesion and strength

I started with simple tests on common problem surfaces:

• Plastics: On a cracked polypropylene planter, two inside strips and one outside “splint” locked the crack together through a full watering cycle. No lifting at the corners after weeks outdoors.
• Vinyl and fabric: A small slice in a UTV vinyl seat has stayed closed through hot days, dust, and intermittent rain. The tape’s thickness matters here—it doesn’t sink into the cut the way thin films do.
• Wood and masonry: On unfinished cedar and lightly textured brick, adhesion was solid after a thorough clean (dust is the enemy). The adhesive fills micro‑texture well enough to resist casual peeling.
• Metal and glass: It bonds quickly to painted steel and glass. I used it to temporarily secure a loose interior trim piece in a vehicle and to post laminated notices on a window; both held through heat and humidity.

For a more demanding test, I used it as a temporary fix for a cracked taillight lens. Two carefully applied strips kept out water and resisted highway speeds until the replacement arrived. It’s not a substitute for structural repair, but as a stopgap, it was reassuringly strong.

One caveat: because the adhesive is so aggressive, it’s not forgiving. Once you lay it down and squeegee it, you can’t really reposition it without stretching or causing haze. Plan your placement and work from one edge with firm pressure.

Weather, UV, and longevity

Clear tapes usually lose to sunlight and moisture. I put Gorilla Clear Tape on outdoor test pieces that saw summer sun, thunderstorms, and a couple of early cold snaps. Months later, the film hasn’t yellowed or gone cloudy, and adhesion remains consistent. The backing is tough enough that wind‑flap didn’t nick or tear it.

Edges are the weak point for any outdoor tape repair. This tape has lightly toothed edges that make it easier to tear by hand, but those micro‑serrations can show visually and offer a path for dirt or water to start a lift if the surface prep isn’t great. Two tricks helped:

• Round your tape corners with scissors to prevent edge lift.
• Overlap critical seams by a quarter inch, then burnish the overlap with a roller or the back of a spoon.

I haven’t used it submerged and wouldn’t recommend it as an underwater patch. It’s water‑resistant, not a true gasket or butyl seal.

Clarity and finish

On smooth surfaces, the tape is impressively invisible. It’s clear enough to cover printed text and photographs without a milky cast, and it didn’t introduce glare lines like some gloss films do. If you trap air or dust, you’ll see it, so treat application like you would a screen protector:

• Clean with isopropyl alcohol and let dry.
• Lightly mist a microfiber cloth to capture fine dust.
• Lay the tape from one edge, pressing down with a plastic card as you go to chase out bubbles.

Fingerprints on the adhesive are permanent; handle by the edges or use a small backing strip to hold the free end while positioning.

Application and handling

A few usage notes after going through nearly a full roll:

• Hand‑tear vs. cutting: You can tear it by hand thanks to the toothed edges, but scissors or a sharp utility blade produce cleaner lines and better‑sealing edges. If looks and sealing matter, cut it.
• Thick adhesive = messy tools: The glue can gum up blades and scissors. A quick wipe with mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol restores them.
• Pressure matters: This adhesive wants firm, even pressure to fully wet out. A J‑roller helps on large areas; for quick jobs, the back of a spoon works.
• Temperature: It sticks best above roughly room temperature. If you’re applying it in the cold, warm the tape and the surface with a heat gun or hair dryer first.
• Storage: Keep the roll in a zip bag if it lives in a dirty environment. Dust on the edge of the roll will transfer to your repair.

Limits and trade‑offs

No tape is perfect, and knowing where Gorilla Clear Tape doesn’t shine prevents frustration:

• Not repositionable: On paper, cardboard, and thin finishes, it will tear fibers when removed. Test an inconspicuous spot if you care about the underlying finish.
• Residue risk: On glass and metal, I’ve had clean removals within a couple of weeks. Leave it on for months in heat, and you may need adhesive remover to clean a faint residue. Slow peels at a low angle reduce transfer.
• Conformability: It’s thick and doesn’t love sharp compound curves. For tight radiuses, use narrower strips and overlap them.
• Aesthetics at the edge: The serrated edge can look a bit “toothy” up close. If a seamless look matters, trim the edge after application.
• Roll length and cost: At 18 yards, it’s not the longest roll, and it costs more than generic duct or packing tape. If you use it for everything, you’ll burn through it faster than you expect.

Where it fits in a kit

If I had to divide my tape drawer, I’d keep packing tape for boxes, cloth duct tape for quick, forgiving, opaque fixes, and Gorilla Clear Tape for durable, clean‑looking repairs that have to face weather or rough surfaces. It covers use cases like:

• Clear patches on plastic, vinyl, and acrylic
• Outdoor signage and labels that need to stay readable
• Temporary automotive fixes where visibility matters
• Reinforcing cracked housings and shells without an obvious patch
• Sealing seams on outdoor gear bins and utility totes

It isn’t a substitute for proper adhesives, epoxies, or mechanical fasteners, but it punches above its weight for what it is: a strong, transparent repair film with real weather resistance.

Pros

• Truly clear and stays that way outdoors; no yellowing in my use
• Aggressive adhesive bonds to rough and smooth surfaces
• Thick, tough backing resists tearing and abrasion
• Weather‑resistant enough for months‑long outdoor fixes
• Easy to carry and apply in the field

Cons

• Not forgiving: difficult to reposition; can pull fibers on removal
• Serrated edges can look uneven and collect grime
• Thick adhesive gums blades; requires cleanup
• Limited conformability around tight curves
• Shorter roll length and higher price than commodity tapes

Recommendation

I recommend Gorilla Clear Tape for anyone who needs a transparent, durable patch or seal that will survive outdoors. It’s not the cheapest option and it rewards careful application, but the payoff is a repair that holds up to weather and rough handling without advertising itself. If you want a tape that genuinely bridges the gap between cosmetic clarity and Gorilla‑level strength, this belongs in your kit.