How to Stick LED Strip Lights On The Wall: Step By Step Guide

Are you looking for color changing, low profile lights for your bedroom? There are LED strip lights for that.

What about ambient task lighting to put around your kitchen cupboards? There are LED strip lights for that too.

Whatever your requirements, the chances are that LED strip lights will provide a cost-effective, versatile, easy to use solution. What’s not to love?

Most LED strips feature 3M adhesive backing. Once the surface is prepared and the strips cut to the correct size, the adhesive backing can be peeled off. Press the strip onto the designated surface using gentle pressure.

With LED strips, it couldn’t be easier to create the lighting effect you desire in your home or property. But it’s not always plain sailing.

LED strips often fall short when it comes to their adhesive backing – it’s not strong enough, doesn’t stick well, degrades over time, etc.

So I want to show you how to maximize the chance that your LED strips make a good bond with the surface they’re applied too.

Keep reading for my simple guide on how to stick LED strip lights to a wall, and what to do if you notice them drooping or peeling.

How To Stick LED Strip Lights On Wall

So you’ve just bought a 5-meter roll of LED strip lights, now what?

Let’s jump right in.

If you didn’t buy strip lights just yet, make sure you read my guide to LED strips lighting.

Step #1: Measure

The first thing you need to do is measure the area that you want to adhere the lights to. Use a ruler or tape measure to do this. No guesstimates.

Step #2: Cut to Size

If necessary, cut your LED strip down to the correct size. Use a sharp knife or pair of scissors for this.

Only cut at the designated cutting lines. Severing your strip in the wrong place can damage the circuitry and prevent some of the LEDs from working.

Remember, if you cut your LED strips you’ll probably need to solder a new connector cable.

Step #3: Prepare your Surface

The adhesive backing on LED strips performs best on smooth, clean surfaces. If grease or dust gets in the way, the connection between the adhesive and the surface is limited, and they are not able to form a strong bond.

To minimize this happening, dampen a cloth with warm water or rubbing alcohol and rub back and forth vigorously on the surface. Once you’re satisfied, dry the area with a lint-free rag or paper towel.

Step #4: Peel off the Adhesive Backing

Starting at one end of the strip, peel off the plastic sticker to reveal the adhesive backing. To prevent dust or debris in the air from sticking to the adhesive, only peel a little at a time.

Step #5: Position and Press

Position the LED strip in the correct place and use your hand to press it onto the surface. Continue to peel, position, and press until the entire length is stuck down. Take your time with this.

Step #6: Light Them Up!

Plug the connector cable into your power supply and turn your LED strip lights on!

How to Stop LED Strip Lights From Falling Off The Wall

Although 3M tape is considered the gold standard of adhesives, it is not invincible. LED strip lights are known for falling, drooping, and peeling off walls. So what can be done about it?

The secret is to play towards the strip lights’ strengths.

As I mentioned earlier, adhesives don’t bond well with rough, bumpy, or unclean surfaces.

So play to their strengths, only apply LED strips to smooth, flat surfaces that have been thoroughly cleaned.

If your surface is uneven, you might want to consider doubling up on adhesives or opting for a different LED light type.

Similarly, adhesives typically don’t perform well in humid and/or moist environments. Excess heat will alter the consistency of the adhesive, making it less durable.

Therefore, if you live in a hot country, it may be beneficial to install your LEDs near a window or AC vent.

The impact of gravity also means that LED strips fall down more often when placed on their sides or face downwards. If it’s not possible to install your strip lights facing upwards, you could try mounting clips or a mounting channel to add stability to your setup.

How To Restick LED Strip Lights.

If your preventative measures fail and your LED strips become unstuck, don’t worry! Thankfully, there are a few ways to rescue them.

It is up to you to decide whether to pull down the entire strip or just focus on the patch that’s lost its stickiness. Either way, the first thing you need to do is get rid of the old adhesive.

Unfortunately, the adhesive is not reusable – once it has formed a bond with one surface, it will be difficult to form another strong bond with a different surface.

To remove old adhesive, soak an old rag with acetone, Goof Off, WD-40, (Amazon) or a citrus-based cleaner and rub the adhesive vigorously. Be careful not to oversaturate and water damage your LEDs.

You can choose a new adhesive from this point on. More W3 tape, extra-strong double-sided tape, Command strips, glue dots, or adhesive clips could be used in place of this. There are countless options.

How Can LED Strips Be Attached Without Adhesives?

But what if you're concerned that the adhesive will harm your furniture or walls? Is there a substitute?

Loctite Fun Tak mounting putty is one option. This is referred to as a mobile, adaptable substitute for nails, glue, or staples.

Pushing a strip of putty onto the back of your LEDs after molding it with your hands into the proper shape. After that, the strip can be attached to the chosen surface.

As an alternative, you might attach your LED strips to something using cable ties.

Naturally, this is not always the case; for example, cable ties cannot be wrapped around your kitchen cabinets. Nevertheless, you can fasten them to the banister of your stairs.

Can LED Strip Lights Be Stapled?

The answer to whether or not you should staple LED strips depends on how wide your staples are in relation to the width of your lights.

There shouldn't be any issues if your staples are large enough to span the LEDs like an archway.

However, there is a danger that you could harm the internal circuitry and prevent some of the lights from working if your staples are thinner and have to puncture through the LED strip.

The hole needs to be drilled, which is the sole drawback. Therefore, brackets will be useful if you intend to permanently attach your light strips.

Questions and Answers

Although I covered a wide range of adhesives and strategies in this essay, some of you undoubtedly still have unanswered concerns. So let's get started.

Can Super Glue Be Used With LED Strip Lights?

You might be tempted to grab for super glue if you want your strip lights to be permanently adhered to a surface.

DON’T!

Super glue should not be used on materials like plastic, polystyrene, or silk, as is a little-known fact.

This is due to the chemical process that allows the glue to rapidly heat and cool as it solidifies. But over time, this interaction causes some materials to deteriorate.

In essence, super glue has the ability to do irreparable harm to LED strips made of plastic.

Is Hot Glue Acceptable?

Is hot glue better considering this? Unexpectedly, yeah.

Hot glue is more safer and won't harm your LED strips because it doesn't contain the same harsh chemicals as super glue.

The hot glue's temperature is the sole factor that needs attention. Your LED strips risk melting through if it gets too hot. This, however, is not likely to occur.

Conclusion

It's simple to understand why LED strip lights have transformed how we light our homes. They can meet all of your lighting needs because of their enormous versatility.

Even if I agree that the W3 adhesive tape frequently used on LED strips might use some refinement, the truth is that it could be far worse.

Wall Mounted Wall Washer Lights

Feature:

● Do not light windows or mirrors because the image of the lamps and fixtures may be reflected.

● Dark surfaces reflect far less light than white surfaces, so more light should be directed onto them if they are to be perceived as being wall washed.

● Fixtures mounted close to the wall create a grazing effect on textured surfaces. This can be an advantage if the texture is attractive, but should be avoided where the wall has surface irregularities.

Specification: