Alex Flex Vs. Alex Plus – any difference?
The main difference between Alex Flex Vs. Alex Plus is: Alex Flex is ideal for flexible indoor/outdoor sealing of moldings and trims, while Alex Plus is a versatile all-purpose adhesive and sealant for both indoor and outdoor projects.
Alex Flex Vs. Alex Plus: Specs&Uses
⏰Full Cure Time
Alex Flex: 24 hours
Alex Plus: 24 hours
🆚Service Temperature
Alex Flex: -34°C to 82°C
Alex Plus: -20°F to 180°F
🛠️Common Uses
Alex Flex is ideal for repairing settling cracks in old horsehair plaster walls; repairing cracks and imperfections on ceilings; filling gaps on Vinyl on Gypsum (VOG) wallboard after removing battens
Alex Plus is perfect for sealing and waterproofing the door jams leading from a bedroom to a patio; seal around ceramic or granite sinks.
Technical Info
What’s Alex Flex
✅Stays True and Maintains Its Excellent Appearance
Despite the natural shrinking and expansion of wood trim during different seasons, this caulk stays true and maintains its excellent appearance. Unless you enjoy constantly redoing your trim by painstakingly removing old caulk with a razor blade and replacing it every few years, do yourself a favor and buy this caulk.
Unlike other fillers I’ve tried, which showed signs of cracking within four weeks, Alex Flex has remained intact. It was incredibly easy to install and required minimal sanding. It truly works as stated by the manufacturer.
One particular issue I had was a crack in the ceiling where the drywall wasn’t taped and mudded correctly. However, thanks to Alex Flex, I was able to close the gap and repaint it without any hassle. This product truly delivers on its promises.
While this caulk is not the best glue to use in shower sealing, it is still relatively easy to work with. However, I would advise caution during the application process, as it tends to get everywhere if you’re not careful. Taking the necessary precautions will help you avoid any unnecessary mess.
In conclusion, it spreads easily, allowing me to work with it effortlessly. Second, it holds its form between uses, so I don’t have to mix it each time I need it. Third, it dries reasonably quickly, saving me valuable time during my projects.
❌Not A Standard Joint Compounds
I should mention that it can be a bit challenging to work with compared to standard joint compounds. However, the finished product is well worth the effort, as it resists cracks effectively. As for the complaints about sanding, I found that using a palm or orbital sander with 120 grit made the job much easier.
💬 FAQ of Alex Flex
Q: Between Alex Flex flexible spackling and Elastopatch, both from the same company, which one lasts longer when painted?
A: In my 130-year-old house, I have primarily used Alex Flex. Apart from one very deep crack, it has held up nicely. I have sculptured plaster and successfully patched and sculpted the dried Alex Flex using a Dremel tool. Alex Flex has a few more applications, but either product should serve you well. I hope this information is helpful.
Q: Is this product thin enough, ranging from 1/16″ to 1/32″, to repair peeled paint effectively?
A: Feathering the edges might be a bit more challenging compared to regular mud, but once dry, it can definitely be sanded. Therefore, it could potentially work for repairing peeled paint.
Q: Can this product be used for art on Canvas?
A: The suitability of this product for art on canvas depends on the artist’s creativity. It should adhere to the canvas, allowing the artist to create the desired texture after it dries.
Q: Can this product be smoothed with wet fingers during application?
A: To some extent, it can be smoothed with wet fingers, although it is not as malleable as other materials.
Q: What size of crack can this product effectively repair?
A: In my experience, it can effectively repair small cracks with little to no movement. However, it is worth mentioning that every crack I fixed with this product has reappeared, whereas similar cracks that I repaired using traditional tape and mud have remained in great condition. I would recommend avoiding this product as it seems too good to be true.
Review of Alex Plus
✅Went On Smoothly Right Out of the Tube
I originally purchased it to seal some small holes and gaps between the floor moldings and walls. It went on smoothly right out of the tube with a caulk gun. I didn’t even need to do any prep work beyond cleaning the areas. The caulk adhered tenaciously to the wood, drywall, and trim.
Since that initial use, I’ve found Alex Plus to be incredibly handy for all sorts of sealing and caulking tasks. I sealed up my toilet base with it, and the flexible caulk has formed a waterproof seal with no cracking or separation. I also used it around my bathroom shower, sink, and even the toilet itself with great results. The caulk forms a flexible, waterproof seal that has held up great so far.
I also used it to seal around a recessed halogen lighting fixture – even with the heat from the bulb, the water-based Alex Plus hasn’t melted or combusted.
One project I was a bit unsure about was using Alex Plus to caulk and seal the exterior door jambs on a sliding glass door that leads from my bedroom to the patio. This area gets intense, direct Florida sun. However, five years later, the caulk is still going strong with no signs of deterioration from the UV rays.
While Alex Plus can’t be used as an adhesive for laminating materials like MDF or plywood, it does stick tenaciously to surfaces like wood, drywall, ceramic, granite, and metal. I even made a small bead sandwich with some sheet metal and pressure-treated wood, and the caulk held it together firmly after curing in the hot sun.
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Speaking of curing, it takes about 24 hours for Alex Plus to fully cure, forming a flexible, waterproof, and paintable seal. There’s no horrible solvent smell that causes allergies or headaches either. Just a mild, unoffensive odor that dissipates quickly.
The one requirement is that you’ll need a standard caulk gun to apply it, as the sealant can’t be thinned or easily applied by hand squeezing the tube. But any basic 1/10 economy caulking gun worked just fine for me.
💬 FAQ of Alex Plus
Q: Would you say Alex Plus is the most effective product for sealing and waterproofing exterior sliding glass door jams that lead from a bedroom to a patio?
A: Based on my 20 years of experience in painting and caulking exteriors, I can confidently say that this caulk is exactly what you need for the job.
Q: If I apply a 1/2″ bead between 26-gauge sheet metal and the flat side of a pressure-treated 2×4 and leave it in the Florida sun, will it hold up?
A: It should work fine!
Q: Is the DAP All-Purpose Acrylic Latex Caulk + Silicone suitable for sealing around ceramic or granite to seal a sink?
A: Yes, it should work for that purpose.
Q: Can it be used for toilets?
A: Absolutely. I’ve used it on mine without any issues. You might also be interested in “what is the best adhesive for undermount sink to granite“
Q: Can Alex Plus be used without a caulk gun?
A: No, this particular tube is designed for use with a caulk gun. However, you can find the same product in a tube for easier application by squeezing it out.
Q: What surfaces will it stick to or not stick to?
A: It will adhere to sinks, bathtubs, and similar surfaces. I think you might be interested in my article about what kind of adhesive for shower walls I chose.
I’m Ronald Stevens, a Mechanical Engineer obsessed with adhesives, glue, and all things sticky! My passion began in childhood when I’d always be the one playing with glue during arts and crafts. And I’d spend hours researching and experimenting. Happy reading, and remember: stick with the best, and you’ll never be stuck in a mess!
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