How to stick LED strip lights on wall without damaging paint?

Share this Article

LED strips are adaptable and customizable. They may be installed nearly anywhere because of their sticky backing or clips, as long as they are nearby to an electrical outlet and a surface to connect to. As a result, LED strips are great for illuminating regions you’ve only imagined. But the question is how to stick led strip lights on wall without damaging paint?

How to stick LED strip lights on wall without damaging paint?

Mold a strip of putty into the shape you want with your hands, then push it onto the back of your LEDs. Do this until you get the shape you want. The strip can then be put on the surface that you want. Alternatively, you might attach your LED strips to an object with cable ties. The self-adhesive on the back of led strip lights typically requires a flat surface to adhere securely. Distinct finishes do not bind well with the LED tape backing. It’s more likely that the strip will slide around or not stick at all if the surface is shiny or oily.

In this article, we will share the brief process of sticking LED strip lights on wall without damaging paint. Keep scrolling to know how to stick LED strip lights on the wall without damaging the paint!

LED strip light

How to stick LED strip lights on wall without damaging paint

Strip lights, or LED Tape Lights, are small, linear lights that you’ve probably seen but have never paid much attention to. Each strip comprises an array of different-sized LED chips that are soldered to a flexible printed circuit board. A double-sided adhesive is placed to the backside of the PC board for mounting to clean and dry surfaces.

These strips can be utilized in hundreds of places and are readily concealed to generate adequate and attractive lighting, even in the smallest spaces. Each strip light may be cut and reconnected to produce a unique linear accent, task, and outdoor illumination. LED strip lights are available in various brightness (lumens), color (Kelvin), and color-changing options.

Related Articles
LED Lights That Don’t Damage Walls

What can I use to stick LED lights to the wall?

Loctite Fun Tak mounting putty is one option. You can use Loctite Fun Tak mounting putty to stick LED lights to the wall. This is marketed as a portable, adaptable alternative to nails, glue, or staples. Mold a strip of putty to the desired shape with your hands, then push it onto the back of your LEDs. After that, the strip can adhere to the desired surface.

You can reposition your goods with premium adhesives like Loctite Fun-Tak Mounting Putty. Loctite Entertainment Tak is a decorative mounting putty that can hang things. Moisture does not affect Loctite fun-tak mounting tabs. Therefore they will not dry out. They can be used on various surfaces as long as they are utilized indoors.

Loctite Fun tak is ideal for temporarily mounting and hanging things that will be moved later. For gluing light things to smooth surfaces such as blackboards, wood, plaster, brick, glass, tile, metal, porcelain, linoleum, and concrete, Fun sticks mounting putty is an excellent solution.

How to stick LED strip lights on wall without damaging paint?

Although the self-stick padding behind the led tape lights can peel paint off the wall, it is not a permanent adhesive. It’s not going to stick to anything. It won’t be easy to reposition the tape once the backing has been removed and used. As a result, a solid place choice should be taken ahead of time.

It’s not easy to get the tape lights in the right place. It’s sometimes difficult to determine whether something looks good or not until it’s already been hanging up. That is why I use clear tape that I make myself.

Not all tape is strong enough to rip the paint off the wall when removed. Generic clear and comprehensive tape is perfect for tape lighting, especially in temporary situations. This allows you to reposition the lights if you change your mind later.

First, test the tape. Make sure it isn’t overly cheesy. It won’t be the majority of the time. Allow someone to assist you. This is a difficult task, especially if you’re using tape that comes in a roll. Make a single straight line across the wall if you’re going to do so. Don’t let it sag in some places. It will appear amateurish.

Your patients are in high demand. Coordination is required when working on a latter with tape lights and a roll of tape. Pre-cut tape portions ahead of time to save time and eliminate the need for the roll.

And you can also check the below’s steps for sticking your LED strip lights on the wall without damaging the paint. Here is the process:

Step 1: Take measurements

The first step is to measure the area where you wish to attach the lights. To do this, use a ruler or a tape measure—no educated guesses.

Step 2: Cut to Size

Cut your LED strip to the proper size if necessary. You’ll need a sharp knife or a pair of scissors for this. Only cut along the marked cutting lines. When you sever your strip at the wrong place, you risk damaging the circuitry and rendering some of the LEDs inoperable. Remember that you’ll most likely need to solder a new connector cable if you cut your LED strips.

Step 3: Preparing the Surface

LED strips’ sticky backing works best on smooth, clean surfaces. If grease or dust is present in the path, the adhesive’s contact with the texture is limited, and a firm bond cannot be created.
To prevent this from happening, moisten a cloth with warm water or rub alcohol and vigorously brush back and forth on the surface. Pat the area dry with a lint-free rag or paper towel when you’re finished.

Step 4: Peel off the Adhesive Backing 

Peel off the plastic sticker at one end of the strip to reveal the adhesive backing. Only peel a little at a time to prevent dust or debris in the air from clinging to the adhesive.

Step 5: Align and Press

Position the LED strip in the desired location and press it into place with your hand. Continue peeling, positioning, and pushing until the entire length has adhered. Please take your time with this.

Step 6: Turn On the Lights

Connect the connector cord to your power source and switch on your LED strip lights!

Do LED strip lights to ruin paint?

LED strip lights are unlikely to cause wall damage, although this is dependent on some circumstances. The strength of their adhesive, the longevity of paint or wallpaper, the length of time they’ve been applied, and the weather can all affect how effectively LED strips adhere to a surface.

Do LED strip lights to ruin wood?

The majority of LED lights do not produce enough heat to ignite or harm the wood. To be sure, turn on the lights and leave them on for at least an hour in settings comparable to those in which they would come into contact with wood.

How to Remove LED Lights Safely from a Surface?

Ensure the LED light strip isn’t plugged in before using a hairdryer to heat the adhesive back. Remove it carefully from the wall, and you won’t have to worry about scuffs or scratches on the paint. After that, you can use a cheap double-sided sticky back to put the light strip somewhere else.

You should have followed these steps if you want to remove LED light strips safely and with as little damage as possible:

  1. Before touching the lights, turn off the power supply. This is most likely the most critical stage.
  2. Next, take out a hairdryer and heat the adhesive. The hot air will soften the tape and make it simpler to pull, reducing any scars on the surface. However, do not blow air for an extended period. Make sure you finish in two minutes.
  3. Then, wedge it under the strip using a blunt yet thin item like a butter knife.
  4. Gently wriggle it to peel away the adhesive gently. Take it as slowly and gently as you can.
  5. While you’re doing that, carefully pull the LED strip with your other hand, or ask a companion or friend to do it for you.
  6. With a bit of effort, the glue should peel off without leaving any behind. Any residue on the wall should be cleaned up. So swiftly remove it with a rag soaked in a citrus-based cleaning agent.

1 thought on “How to stick LED strip lights on wall without damaging paint?”

Leave a Comment