The Gorilla Glue company has been well-known for their waterproof polyurethane glue, wood glue, heavy duty tapes, and other similar products. Still, it greatly surprises me that Gorilla Glue is now making threadlocker.
Threadlocker compounds, with Henkel’s Loctite being the best well-known brand of such products, are special adhesives that help to prevent the unintentional loosening or failure of threaded joints. For instance, one might use threadlocker compounds on bolts or machine screws that might encounter vibrational forces that might otherwise cause undesirable self-loosening.
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Threadlockers can also protect against other factors that could cause unintentional loosening of fasteners, such as shock or corrosion.
So what is Gorilla Glue doing making threadlocker compounds?
At this time, there are 3 types:
- Medium strength (removable, blue)
- High strength (permanent, red)
- High strength for larger-threaded fasteners (permanent, red)
Medium strength blue and high strength red threadlocker compounds are also available in no-mess gel format.
These are interesting developments, and I came across the products by accident.
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Taking a deeper look, Gorilla Glue and the HB Fuller company partnered together last year with a licensing agreement, and together they launched new industrial adhesives, sealants, and lubricants under GorillaPRO and Gorilla Professional Grade branding.
The new line launched with 19 products, including epoxies, pipe-fitting assembly sealants, retaining compounds, anti-seize, gasketing adhesives, instant adhesives, and also the threadlockers discussed above.
There’s a lot to digest here, and so I opted to focus on just the threadlockers.
Why Buy GorillaPro threadlocker?
Looking at the sell sheet, GorillaPro highlights several benefits:
- Easy application
- Reliable fastener locking
- Zero-clog nozzle tips
- Color-coded caps and labels
- Prevents rust and corrosion
- Protects in harsh environments
Basically, they’re competing directly against Loctite, but with color-coded caps in addition to on-bottle color-coding. Perhaps the zero-clog nozzles are a unique selling feature for the GorillaPro products?
GorillaPro products are only available at MSC Industrial Supply, R.S. Hughes, and Krayden Inc, and they are aimed at MRO professionals in industrial markets across the US and Canada.
The interesting question for me is this – why buy GorillaPro over Loctite? Loctite is a mature brand with a strong reputation. There are popular alternatives, such as Permatex. But what does GorillaPro offer over these brands?
There’s also no word as to whether GorillaPro will offer other bottle sizes, application methods, or formulas for their threadlocker products, or whether distribution will extend beyond the 3 initial suppliers.
Can a consumer brand slap their name onto industrial products and successfully gain traction?
Nathan
I see nothing wrong with it – might take a few years to gain alot of traction and some proof of equal strength.
It would be nice to see some testing showing that it works as well as loctite. Untimate hold isn’t the only meaure. Even with red – you have to be able to also remove the fastener without significant damage. you do sometimes have to take apart something put together with RED. It’s rare but it happenes.
Blue especially and do they happen to make a green. I don’t see that and it’s not that common but I like green.
There is also a yellow but I don’t know if that is a hold strength as much as a different vendor but I see yellow occasionally on brake parts – like caliper bolts.
I’d try their blue first probably.
GEORGE MICHENER
blue would be ok maybe,but red has to be right. I rebuild my own hydraulic cylinders and they are all put together with red from the factory. You have to apply heat to the gland then the piston nut and get them apart in a timely fashion,or you can chowder your threads. I’ll stick with permatex or Loctite 50 years of personal use,made in the US , so why not? Ive never been that impressed with any gorilla product anyway.
Nathan
ah there is a green I see in the picture.
Stuart
The GorillaPro green is “retaining compound” in slip-fit and press-fit formulas.
MM
Loctite has similar confusion in their product line. They use green for the “wicking type” threadlocker and for a variety of retaining compounds.
Ball_bearing
Heck yes, the colors are consistent.
I hate when thread locker red comes in a blue bottle and blue comes in a red bottle. So much potential for confusion.
And there are two reds…
Why?
Stuart
The LT red formula is thicker for larger threads, and it’s supposed to fill in the gaps better.
Ball_bearing
Thank you.
Brando
Larger threads is the maroonish bottle
Ben
The bottle color matching the compound is enough for me to switch to GG from Locktite.
You hearing that LT? Why do you do this??
Maps Bam
Agreed 100%! I have blue thread lock in a red bottle and it’s asinine.
fred
The addition might be about garnering shelf space at retailers like Home Depot – thus increasing market share.
And/or it might appeal to folks who want to buy from an USA-owned Company (H.B. Fuller versus Loctite (owned by German Henkel AG)
In any case – I see competition and added choices as a good thing. But I’ll probably stick with Loctite as I know what to expect from their products and don’t use thread sealant in such quantity or so often to justify experimentation with something new.
Peter Fox
If price is not a concern buy Loctite as it is the originator and industry leader in these type of adhesive products. Maybe Permatex if it was more readily available locally
If price is a concern my first choice would probably be VibraTite. Clear cross references to Loctite products with a wider range of offerings
All others are “Also Rans” to me with strong preference to industry leaders that have proper technical data sheets and engineering information. this new product line looks like it would be better marketed in a home improvement store rather than to industrial users. I can’t even tell if the Gorilla Glue blue threadlocker is equivalent to Loctite 242 or 243. I would assume 242 but the lack of a clear cross reference would prevent me from considering it if any critical application.
Patrick T
They have a cross-reference guide for the whole line on their website. https://www.gorillapro.com/media/1snamhci/cross-reference-sheet-updated-10-26-2020-r8.pdf
Peter Fox
I did see that after the fact. It is still not clear what their blue removable thread-locker is equivalent to. Loctite 242 and 243 although similar are not the same thing.
It screams of someone in marketing rather than engineering just throwing a list together of similar looking products without understanding or caring about and differences.
I get that general thread locking compounds are well understood commodities and generally interchangeable. At the same time there are plenty of good options ranging from the original manufacture and several other top names in industrial adhesive products all the way down to good budget choices. If you are the new kid on the block you had better stand out in a good way if you want me to consider your offerings, “Also Rans” need not apply.
Matt C.
Permatex also has their version of this. When I go to Home Depot automotive section, they only carry permatex. You have to go to the paints and adhesives section for Locktite. Nerver understood that. For me to use this over Locktite, it would have to be better and/or cheaper. Why else would I switch from a tried and true product? Most of the car parts I install have directions that specifically call for Locktite. Have I voided the warranty (if any) if I use a different product?
MM
I’ll believe the “zero clog nozzles” when I see it. If it works that’s big.
Otherwise Stuart is right, there’s little reason to pick this over an established brand, especially since Loctite has many more bases covered than just these three. They have a variety of retaining compounds, thread sealants, and special application products with high heat resistance to name a few. I don’t see any of that coming from Gorilla.
Nathan
so another set of thoughts.
1) I don’t shop automotive/machine needs at HD or Lowes. Local hardware store sometimes but only becasue I know they have the variety and quality fasterners/etc
2) loctite while the first did set the expectations on strength ratings scheme. So they need to show equivalents on the packaging.
3) it’s just another chemical company if I recall 3M makes some too, as do a few others. So again I see nothing wrong with gorilla glue branded versions.
4) if they want market penetration they need to see to automotive stores.
Rog
This seems like a logical progression of their product offerings. I’d probably try it
Chris
As long as the Gorilla brand are actively making their own formulas rather than just slapping their name on someone else’s product, then I’m more than excited to see more products from them.
It’s going to hurt them to only sell at the 3 suppliers. They should really consider selling at big box stores such as HD and Lowe’s, as well as your neighborhood hardware stores like Ace.
Also, it would really come down to price. Threadlocker is typically pricey. Hopefully they can market a decent product at a very reasonable price.
Adam
They must be trying to capitalize on all that free press they had earlier this year. I heard threadlocker was great for the eyebrows 😛
Gordon
I rarely use locktite, but have friends that use it every day. They much prefer the “chapstick” style over the liquid. I’d be curious to see if they come out with something like that.
Otherwise, I’m interested in trying new things. But availability is tough for DIYers. it doesn’t feel like we are their target audience.
LGonTG
I very much love the chap stick style, but it’s difficult to find in-stores where I live. 🙁
(bicycle mechanic)
Rob
I’m not sure I even remember what kind of glue the original “Gorilla Glue” was anymore. But that can be said about their competitors too.
fred
I believe that they started with a Urethane Glue. If I recall correctly – it was one of the first water-activated urethane glues that I saw for retail sale.
Maps Bam
I think this will make a splash just because it’s most likely going to be heavily stocked at Walmart. Otherwise I’m going to stick to the proven stuff.
DRT42
You can get blue and red anywhere and if that is the market they want to compete in, they have to be lower cost than the proven standard. Gorilla’s product range is skimpy compared to Loctite. They need to include: A. Surface Insensitive which works on oily bolts (Loctite 243), and B. medium strength/high temperature (Loctite 246). Both of these work well, but are hard to find and are pricey. I’m pretty much not interested in buying anything else these days. Well, the small fastener type is also somewhat handy (Loctite 222). Since Gorilla doesn’t make any of these, I guess I won’t be buying any Gorilla thread locker in the near future. But, I wish them well.
RCL
Amazon has a listing.
MT
They should have made the LT Red product pink. Missed opportunity.
Max Musial
I really like the Gorilla brand products their green top Gel super glue is one of my go tos at home. And their tape products are phenomenal. I very much use these for home application nothing professional but I would certainly try the thread locker products after I’ve used up the locktite and permatex I have at home.
Albert
I probably won’t use it, but I’m glad it’s there in the market. A little competition never hurt anything.
RCWARD
Does it foam up and make a mess like their other glues?
Mike B
I never understood the appeal of expanding glue foam that you cannot easily wipe up the squeeze out. It’s not even that strong. Yea, if you had some voids you wanted filled but there are better products out there than the gorilla poly glue.
Michael Veach
If becomes locally available, I will try it.
Dave P
My living depends on heavy machines. One lose fastener way deep inside a transmission, engine, differential or final drive can cost me 5 figures plus the lost income during downtime.
No.
Won’t even consider it.
Let someone else be the guinea pig.
928'er
If it works as well as their “Tough & Clear” Mounting Tape (which only seems to stick to it’s packaging and its backing strip) it probably sounds the death knell for Gorilla Glue…
Mike B
Is that like “alien tape”?
Jesse
Henckel did a lunch and learn a decade ago for the industrial maintenance department I worked in at the time. They went through some usually overlooked application info and provided us all a bound application guide. I use that guide whenever I’m thread locking something new. The differences between their products are subtle but they are formulated for specific applications. From experience I can tell you that if you use the right product for the materials and apply it correctly it performs. Wrong product (242 when you need 243 for example) or improper application? Will most likely fail.
Thread locker isn’t something you put on as an afterthought. It’s an engineered product and is specified as an engineered solution.
Gorilla has great marketing. I use their tape, it’s fantastic! But their me-too products have been meh.