160 Yrs

Established in 1865, DAP has become a trusted leader in the manufacturing and supply of caulks, sealants, foams, adhesives, and patch and repair products. With a legacy spanning over 160 years, DAP is renowned for its industry-leading innovations and dedication to creating high-quality, dependable, and durable solutions. Serving professional contractors, remodelers, and DIY enthusiasts, DAP remains committed to delivering products that consistently meet the demands of both residential and commercial projects.

1865 Establishing Roots 

DAP's origins date back to 1865, when Robert H. Dicks and Elmer Wiggim started manufacturing sealing wax for food canning in a garage in Dayton, Ohio. At a time when refrigeration and commercially prepared foods were not yet available, home canning was a common practice, driving high demand for their innovative product. 

1906 THE BUY OUT 

In 1906, Dicks bought out Wiggim and partnered with George Pontius. 

13  

DICKS-PONTIUS COMPANY 

The Dicks-Pontius Company was established in 1913 when Dicks and Pontius formalized their partnership. After the passing of Robert Dicks, his son John joined the company and introduced new ventures by expanding operations to include the manufacturing of putty and caulk in bulk quantities. 

The Revolution 

 1940 

The Dicks-Pontius Company transformed the home repair products market during the 1940s and 1950s with groundbreaking advancements in both marketing and product development. Notably, the company was instrumental in shifting the industry toward the use of disposable cartridges for packaging caulks and sealants, setting a new standard in convenience and efficiency.  

1957  

Dicks-Armstrong-Pontius 

During the 1950's, the company grew through several acquisitions, including a merger with the Chicago-based Armstrong Company in 1957. The resulting entity was renamed Dicks-Armstrong-Pontius, which was eventually shortened to the brand name DAP. 

Latex Caulking Compounds 

 1964 

DAP maintained its commitment to innovation and growth by consistently introducing groundbreaking products and broadening its market presence. A significant milestone occurred in 1964, when the company revolutionized the industry with the creation of latex caulking compounds.  

1970  

Acrylic Latex Caulk 

DAP has pioneered the introduction of Acrylic Latex Caulk, offering an innovative solution for sealing window and door frames. This advanced formula is specially designed to provide optimal performance when used with either latex or oil-based paint. It delivers a long-lasting, reliable seal, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications 

Siliconized Latex Caulk 

 1980 

In 1980, DAP introduced the first Siliconized Latex Caulk to the market, designed to cure rapidly, creating a durable, flexible, and watertight seal that resists shrinking. It quickly gained popularity as a preferred choice for a wide range of interior and exterior applications. 

1983  

Weldwood®Joins DAP 

DAP acquired Weldwood through a merger in 1983, broadening its capabilities and enhancing its product portfolio in the adhesive category. 

Advanced Acrylic Latex 

 1984 

DAP was the first to introduce a 230-grade sealant. Engineered to deliver exceptional flexibility and a long-lasting seal, Its advanced formulation ensures outstanding adhesion to a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and concrete, while maintaining excellent resistance to weathering and temperature fluctuations. 

wrong image 

1990  

Plastic Wood® 

The Plastic Wood® brand was acquired and integrated into the DAP portfolio of products in the 1990s, a go-to product for repairing, restoring, and finishing wood surfaces. 

DIY Revolution 

 1996 

DAP transformed the DIY market through innovative solutions, including the launch of aerosol caulking and the establishment of a seven-day-a-week 888-DAP-TIPS hotline. These advancements simplified home improvement tasks, such as caulking a bathroom, making them more accessible and efficient for everyone.  

1997  

DAPtex® Latex Insulating Foam 

DAP introduced DAPtex®, the first-to-market latex insulating foam specially designed to seal and fill large cracks, gaps, and voids efficiently. Unlike traditional polyurethane foams, DAPtex® offers advanced features such as minimal expansion to prevent overfilling, ease of shaping and tooling, and the convenience of water-based cleanup 

Dry Time Indicator Spackling 

 1998 

DryDex® Spackling, America’s top-selling spackling compound, offers an innovative solution with its revolutionary patented dry time indicator. This unique feature enables the product to visibly change color, ensuring users know when the optimum drying time is reached. The compound is applied PINK and dries to WHITE, providing a clear and reliable visual cue. 

2000  

DAP line of Polyurethane Sealants 

DAP launched a range of commercial-grade sealants specifically designed to deliver a durable, long-lasting seal for exterior gaps, joints, and cracks. These advanced sealants provide exceptional adhesion to a wide variety of substrates and are engineered to maintain flexibility over time. 

2002  

Fire Stopping Sealants 

DAP has launched two innovative fire-stopping sealants, Blockade® and Fire Stop, specifically engineered to prevent the spread of fire and smoke in residential and commercial environments. 

Phenoseal® Acquisition 

 2004 

DAP acquired the Phenoseal® brand, a line adhesive caulk that does it all, from waterproofing kitchen and bathroom spaces to tackling demanding exterior projects. 

2007  

DAP 3.0™ Advanced Hybrid Sealants 

DAP 3.0™ Advanced Hybrid Sealants offer a cutting-edge solution for sealing needs, integrating the superior performance characteristics of both urethanes and silicones into a single advanced formula, delivering exceptional adhesion, flexibility, and long-lasting durability. 

SmartBond 

 2013 

SmartBond® Construction Adhesives revolutionized the adhesive industry with its advanced polyurethane adhesive foaming gel technology. Designed to be faster and more efficient than traditional cartridge adhesives, with 8 times the coverage of standard cartridge adhesives, SmartBond® allows users to accomplish significantly more while using less product.  

2016  

RapidFuse™ All-Purpose Adhesive 

DAP introduced RapidFuse™, a versatile all-purpose adhesive designed to deliver superior durability, offering strength that is twice that of traditional super glues. With the ability to bond a wide range of materials, it is perfectly suited for diverse home repairs and DIY projects. RapidFuse™ sets in just 30 seconds and is engineered to bond virtually any material, including plastic, rubber, metal, glass, wood, tile, and more. 

PLASTIC WOOD & Plastic Wood X® with DryDex® 

 2016 marked a significant innovation in wood surface repair with the introduction of Plastic Wood® All Purpose Premium Wood Filler. This versatile solution simplifies the restoration of wood surfaces, providing an easy and effective application process. That same year, the product line was enhanced with the addition of Plastic Wood X®, featuring the cutting-edge DryDex® technology. The patented DryDex Dry Time Indicator utilizes a unique formula that applies pink and dries to a natural finish, clearly signaling when the surface is ready for sanding and staining.  

update photo to Family of Plastic Wood & Plastic Wood X 

2017  

Acquisition of Convenience Products 

DAP acquired the foam division of Clayton Corporation, best known for its Touch 'N Foam and Touch 'N Seal brands. The insulating sealants and adhesives are an easy, cost-effective solution for a variety of residential, commercial and industrial applications, and are used to eliminate air leaks and drafts, seal gaps and cracks, and insulate against the elements. 

2017  

Storm Bond 2 

 2017 

Storm Bond 2 is a high-performance, fast-curing, two-component adhesive designed to deliver exceptional strength. It significantly reduces the reliance on traditional nail and screw penetrations in roofing applications, offering a more efficient and streamlined solution. 

2017  

Ultra Clear™ 

Ultra Clear™ Flexible All Purpose Waterproof Sealant sets itself apart with unmatched flexibility that resists cracking and a consistently crystal-clear finish that surpasses silicone. Designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, this sealant maintains its permanent flexibility, even in low temperatures, delivering a completely waterproof and weatherproof seal. 

DynaGrip® 

DAP has introduced a revolutionary line of high-performance construction adhesives, featuring latex, solvent, and hybrid formulas with advanced technologies. The DynaGrip® line is designed for improved efficiency, offering easier application and delivering strong, durable bonds within hours. These adhesives are engineered to perform exceptionally well, even in extreme weather conditions. Additionally, many formulas boast low-odor properties and adhere to strict VOC compliance standards, making them both effective and environmentally responsible. 

update image, no grey packaging 

2018  

Dynaflex Ultra™ 

 2018 

Dynaflex Ultra™ Advanced Exterior Sealant represents a cutting-edge advancement in sealant technology. Utilizing the innovative Weather Max Technology™, it offers superior all-weather durability, ensuring the sealant resists cracking, maintains its color vibrancy, repels dirt, and prevents the growth of mildew and algae.  

2020  

2020  

Premium Textured Concrete 

 2020 

DAP Premium Textured Concrete is a high-performance latex sealant designed to replicate the appearance of concrete, ensuring a seamless match with many concrete surfaces. Engineered with exceptional extension recovery, elongation, and durability, it is specifically crafted to withstand heavy-traffic areas. This long-lasting, crack-resistant sealant is ideal for use on concrete, mortar, brick, metal, stone, stucco, grout, and textured walls, making it a versatile solution for various applications.2020  

Eclipse™ Rapid Wall Repair Patches 

 2020 

Eclipse™ has transformed the patch and repair industry by providing DAP’s fastest, strongest, and slimmest solution to common drywall challenges. This innovative, all-in-one product is specifically designed to be mess-free, eliminating the need for spackling, sanding, or extra tools. Simply apply Eclipse™, and it’s immediately ready to paint, enabling users to complete projects in minutes instead of hours. 

2021  

Craft Foam 

 2021 

DAP introduces Craft Foam, a spray foam specifically designed for arts and crafts enthusiasts. This innovative foam expands to twice its original size upon application and cures into a sturdy, rigid surface that can be easily customized. Its versatility enables users to carve, sand, and paint with ease, making it perfect for a variety of creative projects. With a quick drying time—dry to the touch in just 10 minutes and ready to cut in an hour—Craft Foam simplifies the design and shaping process, empowering crafters to bring their unique ideas to life. 

2021  

AMP™ Advanced Modified Polymer Sealants 

 2021 

DAP blends advanced technology to deliver AMP, the ultimate hybrid sealant. With superior weather resistance, long-lasting durability, and outstanding mold and mildew protection, DAP AMP ensures top-tier performance for any project. It surpasses silicone in key areas, including effective application on wet surfaces, excellent paintability, and true crystal-clear transparency. 

Add Copy:   

2022  

Wall & Cavity Foam 

2023  

Spray Texture 

2024  

Dry Crack Filler  

New Premium Wood Filler