If you have led light strips falling off the wall, this blog post is for you. We will teach you how to restick led light strips back onto your walls and make them look as good as new!
There are many reasons why your led light strips may be falling off the wall. If they were not installed correctly or if there’s a power surge in your home, it could cause the lights to fall.
Over time, the adhesive on the back of these strips can dry out and become too sticky to adhere correctly. This article will show you how easy it is to fix these problems with some simple steps!
Summary: Resticking LED light strips is a common issue that arises when the adhesive backing becomes weak or loses its grip on the surface it was initially installed on. To restick the LED light strips effectively, you will need to clean the surface thoroughly, choose an appropriate adhesive, and apply it evenly to ensure a secure bond. Before starting, gather necessary materials such as rubbing alcohol or a mild cleaner, a clean cloth or sponge, double-sided tape or adhesive promoter, and a pair of scissors.
Begin by cleaning the surface where the LED strip will be reattached. Remove any dirt, dust, or grease by wiping the surface with a clean cloth or sponge dampened with rubbing alcohol or a mild cleaner. Make sure the surface is completely dry before proceeding. Next, prepare the LED strip by removing any remnants of the old adhesive from the back. Choose a suitable double-sided tape or adhesive promoter that is compatible with both the LED strip and the surface it will be attached to.
Cut the adhesive tape to the same length as the LED strip or apply a thin, even layer of adhesive promoter to the back of the strip. Press the LED strip firmly onto the cleaned surface, ensuring that it adheres securely and evenly. If necessary, use additional adhesive or apply pressure for a longer period to achieve a stronger bond. Once the LED strip is securely in place, reconnect it to the power source and test its functionality.
Type of Adhesive for Resticking Led Light Strips
1. Hot Glue: If the tape is still in place, you can use the same hot glue. Just heat the glue gun, and drip a generous amount of hot glue onto the area where the strip will go.
2. 3M Adhesive: This is best when you want to put it into an awkward position that standard tape won’t stick to, or if there’s no tape left on the strip itself (or if you’re afraid that the tape will eventually wear off).
It is also easier to install a 3M adhesive than the double-sided tape with a viscus glue coating.
3. Epoxy: Epoxy is a strong adhesive that will hold the light strip down. However, it requires much more time to harden than a 3M adhesive does.
In addition, you have to mix two parts (colorless and white), so be sure to use your measuring device because different types of epoxy use different measurement units!
4. E6000: This adhesive requires a lot of time to harden, and it’s extreme. You can use these adhesives for sticking strips into awkward positions or on surfaces that are not flat (such as wood or glass).
5. Super Glue: If you’re looking for something simple, this is good. Super glue isn’t powerful, but it’s quick to dry and easy to apply. However, it does not hold well on certain surfaces.
6. Silicone Adhesive: This thin, sticky adhesive will hold down a strip of lights, but only on flat surfaces like walls or windows.
Any slight movement could make the strip fall off immediately. You can use silicone glue if you’re putting your lights outside because of this instability.
7. Mounting Putty: This is good for sticking light strips onto walls that have texture on them, such as plaster.
You can also use this type of putty to hold your lights in place if you’re putting the lights up temporarily (such as for Halloween).
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Restick Led Light Strips
Step 1: Get Rid of the Old Adhesives
The first step in resticking your led light strips is to remove or scrape off the old adhesive on the back of them.
If a power surge has caused your lights to fall off, then they may have left behind a sticky residue that needs to be removed before applying new adhesive.
If you have used these for a while and are having problems sticking, you can also scrape off the old glue.
Step 2: Clean the Surface Area
The surface you are applying the light strips to should be clean and free of dirt and dust.
You will need to scrub it well with soap or use a commercial cleaner, such as rubbing alcohol, before applying the new adhesive to ensure strong adhesion.
Step 3: Cut Your Light Strips To Size
If your led light strips fall off the wall because they were cut too short, you will need to cut them down to size.
Use a sharp pair of scissors or an Exacto knife and be very precise when cutting these strips to be perfectly straight and even. To avoid frayed edges, use a utility knife.
Step 4: Mount a Channel
Depending on what kind of wall you are applying the led light strips to, you may need to install channels before sticking them down.
If this is the case, then a more significant led light strip channel should be used that can hold the entire width of your LED lights.
Also, make sure that they fit well into the track’s grooves so that they are perfectly straight and secure.
Step 5: Apply New Adhesive
To adhere to your strips correctly again, you will need to apply an even layer of new adhesive on the back of the led light strips.
Again, line up the edges precisely before sticking them down on your wall so that they are straight and even. Also, try to avoid overlapping the adhesive strip onto itself as this will weaken its adhesion.
Step 6: Wait for the Strips to Dry
After you have applied your led light strips back on correctly, you should make sure that they are completely dry before turning them on again.
It could take some time, so you will need to place them in a cool, dry environment like an unused room. It is best to avoid the heat of direct sunlight or air conditioning as it could cause them to peel off faster.
Step 7: Test Your New Light Strips
After the adhesive has dried, you should be able to test your led light strips again to make sure they are working correctly.
If you had power surge problems with them previously, then it is best to plug them into a power strip that can turn off a sudden change in energy flow. That way, you can reduce the chances of your lights falling again.
Step 8: Always Keep Your Adhesive Covered
If you want to prevent your led light strips from falling down again, it is best to keep them covered.
I would suggest that you purchase some adhesive covers to use when they are not illuminated or turned on so that the strips do not move around too much.
It will reduce the possibility of them getting caught on the edges or falling again.
Additional Tips for Installing Strip Lights
1. Use Double Sided Adhesive Tape
If you are having problems with led light strips falling off for the first time, then use double-sided adhesive tape to help hold them in place.
These kinds of tapes will provide a secure grip on your walls so that they do not fall or peel off. Be sure to check the tape for adhesion and its quality before you start using it, though.
If you have a power surge problem or other issues with your lights falling down, then this could be the best option for holding them in place without putting too much of an effect on your walls or ceiling.
2. Prepare Your Lights
If you want to get the most out of your strip lights, prepare them before installing.
It would be best if you made sure that the wires are placed neat and orderly so that they do not catch or crimp against surfaces when plugged in.
It is also advisable to tape down any loose ends to not cause a connection problem or hurt you.
3. Stay Clean
You will need to stay clean when working with led light strips to be applied back on correctly.
This means having no oil, dirt, or any other liquid on your fingers, as this could damage the adhesion and stickiness of the adhesive down the line.
You will also need to stay clean with the walls and ceiling where you are applying them so that there is no dirt or dust in between layers of paint.
4. Make Sure They’re Straight
You should make sure that your led light strips are straight when you install them. You should check your work immediately after installing and making adjustments, if necessary.
You can use a level to check the strips to not end up with crooked lines. If your strip lights warp or bend, then it is best to remove them and start over again so that they can keep straight when fully installed.
5. Use Mounting Putties
If you have problems with led light strips falling off your walls or ceiling, then it is best to use a mounting putty product.
You can purchase some plastic putties specially designed for holding down strip lights so that they stay in place without damaging paint while also providing an adhesive hold between layers of paint on the wall or ceiling.
6. Turn Off the Light Strips
If you are going on vacation or away for an extended period, we recommend that you turn off your led light strips.
If left on while you are gone, they could fall onto your furniture or other objects, causing damage. You can also use a timer to automatically shut them off when you are away to not get turned on for an extended period.
7. Use Brackets
If you want a permanent solution to keeping your led light strips in place, then we would recommend that you use some brackets to hold them down better.
In addition, you can purchase some small plastic accidentally while you are gone.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Conclusion
If you’ve ever had trouble with your Led Light Strip and found it challenging to restick, we hope this article has helped.
We have shared some of the most common reasons why they become unstuck and a few solutions for fixing them so that you can use them again.
After reading this article on how to restick led light strips, we hope you will now be able to get those led lights back in place again!
The materials needed for this project are straightforward, and there is no need to worry about making any mistakes along the way. Let Us Know if you face any problems down the line!
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