On concrete, several makers draw a line between painted or sealed and rough or bare. Command lists painted concrete and rules out rough concrete. T-Rex is the one mounting tape we found that names concrete outright. Gorilla’s mounting tapes don’t list it.
What each maker says about concrete
| Product | Concrete line | Condition or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Command hooks and strips | Surface chart: “Painted Cinder Block or Concrete” yes; FAQ: “not recommended for … rough concrete” | Limit per package; clean with rubbing alcohol |
| T-Rex Extreme Hold Mounting Tape | “smooth and rough surfaces including … concrete” | “hold up to 4 lbs per 4 in of tape”; apply at 50°F and above |
| T-Rex Strong and Clear Mounting Tape | “concrete, brick, tile, and ceramic” (data sheet) | “hold up to 2 lbs per 4 in of tape” |
| Scotch Removable Mounting Putty | “painted concrete” | For lightweight paper items; may stain certain surfaces |
| Loctite Fun-Tak | “… linoleum, and concrete” (data sheet) | Interior only; test on absorbent surfaces first; not for heavy objects |
| Gorilla mounting tapes | Concrete not named | They name brick and stone (Heavy Duty, Invisible Hold) |
From each product’s page, data sheet or FAQ. Command’s surface chart is an image on its how-to pages; we list its labels as printed.
Two makers say to seal bare concrete
Two makers say bare concrete must be sealed before tape goes on. 3M’s VHB 5952 data sheet says most porous materials, such as wood and concrete, need to be sealed to give a unified surface (VHB 5952 is sold for industrial use only). Gorilla says to prime and seal concrete before its Anti-Slip Tread Tape, so moisture doesn’t reach the adhesive.
Command’s FAQ says strips may not stick if the surface is dusty, oily, damp or textured, and to clean with rubbing alcohol and let it dry first.
When to drill
For anything heavy, or anything that could hurt someone if it fell, we’d use a fastener instead: see choosing a masonry anchor and choosing a wall anchor on our drill bit site.