Are your LED lights losing their stickiness and making your place look lifeless? No worries!
LED strip lights last almost 50,000 hours, which is more than six years. If the adhesive loses its grip before the LED lights reach the end of their lifespan, you can still reuse them.
To make LED lights sticky again, clean the adhesive surface with water or rubbing alcohol. Once the surface dries up, reapply the LED lights carefully with double-sided adhesive tape, hot glue, or epoxy.
This post delves into each step in detail, providing a practical tutorial on how to make LED lights sticky again at home. With this guide, you can confidently light up your space again!
Can You Restick LED Lights?
You have used an LED strip with insufficient double tape, or the strip has lost its adhesive over time. Or maybe there’s another reason why your LED light is not sticking to the wall anymore.
No matter what the root cause is, you need not worry. You can restick LED strip lights to the wall even if their adhesive has been damaged from previous use.
But before you move on with the fixture, you must first identify why your LED light is not sticking. Here are some of the main reasons that lead to drying up adhesives of your LED strip lights over time:
- Exposure to air and dust: If the surface isn’t smooth and even, the LED light strip may have passageways for air and dust to pass through and accumulate, damaging the adhesion of your LED strip lights.
- Moisture: Improper installation increases the risk of moisture seepage.
- Overuse: Even if you are careful, repeatedly removing LED strip lights will tamper with their adhesive capacity.
How To Take LED Strip Lights Off the Wall Without Damaging Paint?
To take LED strip lights off the wall without damaging paint, loosen up the adhesive that binds the two surfaces together and slowly remove the strip. This way, you can make sure that your freshly painted walls are not stained and scrapped off in the process. Moreover, exercise care while taking LED lights off also prevents the paint from coming off.
Here is a 3-step tutorial that you can follow to take LED strip lights off the wall without damaging paint:
- First, disconnect the lights from the power source.
- Use a functional heat gun or blow dryer to mildly heat the strip and loosen the adhesive beneath it. You need to warm up only one end of the strip to start.
- Slowly peel the heated end of your strip lights. If you find traces of paint stuck to the light, heat the strip a little more.
Repeat this process for the following sections of LED light until the entire strip is neatly taken off the wall. Following this process, you can take off and stick LED strip lights on the wall without damaging the paint.
How to Pack LED Strip Lights for Moving?
You can easily remove your LED strip lights from your home, pack them up, and reinstall them in your new home. You don’t need to let the process of moving be a barrier to enjoying your favorite lights in your new living space.
Once you’ve removed the lights from the wall, the process becomes straightforward. Start by conducting a thorough inspection, as outlined below:
- After taking off the lights from the wall, ensure that they have lost their adhesive. To get rid of any residue, you can use Goo Gone or rubbing alcohol.
- Next, clean the lights using a clean, damp cloth. Make sure you don’t twist or bend the LED light strip while cleaning or packing it.
- Wrap the LED lights on a cardboard or foam board and fasten them with tape or fasteners. This surface should be larger than the width of your lights. This way, you will prevent the lights from getting tangled or overlapped.
How to Move LED Lights to Another House?
LED lights are reusable; you can move them across homes if you shift your dwelling. However, their functionality will depend on the safe and secure transition between the homes.
The best way to prevent damage to these delicate lights is to pack them in enough material to provide a buffer. Thus, your lights remain safe in case of bumps on the road and while loading and unloading. Here is how you can pack the lights for a safe and secure relocation:
- Start with a soft bubble wrap. Cover the lights completely and secure them with tape.
- Get a sturdy cardboard box that fits the bubble wrap package you created for your lights. It should have enough space for power cables and other accessories for these lights.
- Now, label the box to indicate the content of this box for easy recognition.
How Do you make LED lights stick again?
Yes, you can restick LED lights after transporting them, but only if you have safely moved them to your new home. All you need is to add adhesive to the back of the strips.
Here is the whole process.
Materials Needed
- Double-side adhesive tape,
- Measuring tape
- Scissors, and
- LED lights.
- A clean cloth and brush
5 Steps to Make LED Lights Sticky Again
STEP 1: Take Measurements
Your new home will have new dimensions. You may have to connect two strips for one wall and cut shorter pieces for another. Use a measuring tape to find the length of the strip to be applied to an area. Remember to fix cut these strips a little (quarter to half inch) larger than the required length.
STEP 2: Clean the Surface
Clear away dust from the surface. You have already cleaned the light before packing and moving it, but you can repeat the process for solid adhesive. If you use a damp cloth to clean the surface, ensure it’s dry when installing the lights. However, don’t clean the lights using water, as it can harm the circuit.
STEP 3: Apply The Adhesive Tape and Restick the LED Strip Lights
Now, using the measures of your light cuttings, cut the double-sided adhesive tape. Carefully apply the adhesive tape on the back of the light strips. Attach the light to the surface and smoothen out the air bubbles.
STEP 4: Let the Lights Dry Up
After applying the strip to the surface, allow it to dry for a few hours before turning it on. You must touch the strips to ensure the bond is strong enough and the lights won’t come off.
STEP 5: Switch on the Lights
After securing the lights, connect them to the power source and switch them on. Voila! You have successfully relocated and revived your adhesive LED strip lights battery operated to their full glory.
8 Alternative Ways To Make LED Lights Sticky Again
Double-sided adhesive tape is the first and most common solution to make LED lights sticky again, but it doesn’t mean it’s the last.
This method is a quick fix but doesn’t last long on some surfaces. Especially if you have a textured wall or uneven surface, the adhesive tape won’t help much.
Here are eight alternative ways you can use to make LED strip lights sticky again:
E6000
E6000 is the best alternative adhesion for LED strip lights due to its versatility. You can use this glue on almost any surface, including water and oil-based paints, to stick your LED strip lights. It is a safe option and doesn’t react to temperature changes much, resulting in a longer stay on the surface. Hence, your LED strips don’t fall off the wall.
3M VHB Tape (Very High Bond)
This is a strong adhesive tape with excellent bonding properties. You can use it for mounting LED strips, as it provides a durable and secure bond. Just clean the surface thoroughly before applying.
Super Glue
Super glue is another adhesive solution that will last longer than double-sided tape. You can count on it to reinstall your LED lighting after moving, but it’s not advisable to use it to fix the fallen sections of your light. The glue dries quickly, and you may not have enough time to stick the light back on the surface before it dries up.
Epoxy
If you are passionate about crafts, epoxy may be your solution. Unlike the alternatives mentioned above, this one requires care and diligence. Plus, you need to give it some time to dry up and strengthen the grip of the lights on the wall. The reward for the skillful application of this chemical and patience is a bond that stays intact for years.
Mounting Putty or Adhesive Tack
This option is less permanent and can be easily removed without damaging surfaces. It might not be suitable for heavy-duty applications, but it can work well for temporary setups. Hence, mounting putty is your go-to option if you plan on relocating somewhere else anytime soon.
Adhesive Clips or Brackets
Some LED strip kits have adhesive-backed clips or brackets to hold the strips in place. These are particularly useful if you want a more temporary solution or plan to rearrange the LED strips.
Hot Glue
A steady hand and a thoughtful application of hot glue can lock a secure bond for your LED strip lights. Hence, you can bask in a well-lit, hazard-free environment. However, this may not be the best adhesive alternative if your LED strip lights are not heat-resistant. You need to look for the heat-resistant label on the packaging of your LED lights. If you find one, use a hot glue gun to stick your lights in place conveniently.
Quick Safety Tip: Take a moment to prioritize safety and implement preventive measures to shield your hands from potential burns.
Permatex Clear Silicone Adhesive Sealant
To stick your LED lights, you need to go with super glue or hot glue for a long-lasting solution. Silicone glue works best for binding gaps that may arise after some time. Moreover, this sealant will help you with falling LED light strips because of deteriorated adhesive.
How To Keep LED Light Strips From Falling Off?
LED light strips primarily detach from surfaces due to poor installation and adhesion. So, you can take care while installing them to prevent them from falling.
Here are a few tips that will help with the proper installation of your LED lights:
- Clean the surface before installation. The invisible debris and dust on the surface will reduce the adhesive capacity of these lights.
- Choose the surface carefully. Smooth surfaces are always better candidates for installing strip lights than rough ones. You can add smoothness by painting it or putting on wallpaper.
- Make sure the surface is dry. Water will not only harm the circuitry of your lights but will also prevent the adhesive from doing its job.
- If you are reusing the lights, you will need to ensure that the strip lights have enough adhesive backing them. If the adhesive tape has dried up from previous use, you can always stick fresh tape or use alternative adhesion methods, as we have discussed.
FAQs: Restick LED Strip Lights
How to stick LED lights on the wall without adhesive?
You can replace adhesives to install LED strip lights with mounting putty or cable ties. Note that you may have to compromise on aesthetics if you go with cable ties, but it’s a practical solution if you want to avoid adhesive altogether.
Can You Glue LED Strip Lights?
Yes, you can use hot glue for LED strip lights or any other type of adhesive to install LED strip lights securely. This method offers flexibility and ease of application.
Can LED Lights Be Reattached?
Yes, you can reattach LED lights if you have taken them off or if they have fallen off from the surface due to dried adhesive. Just make sure that the surface is clean, and you can successfully reapply them.
How to Remove Residue from LED Lights?
You can use rubbing alcohol to rub over the light and remove the remaining residue from LED lights. For a cheaper solution, use an absorbent cloth soaked in warm water to rub off the adhesive.
How To Remove LED Strip Lights From Wall And Reuse?
Use a heat source to melt the adhesive bonding your lights and the surface before peeling them off. You will need to clean the remaining adhesive on its back and apply a new coat to install it back.
Can You Put LED Lights Back Together After You Cut Them?
Yes, you can put LED lights back together after you can them. Simply connect the LED lights after cutting them using a smoldering gun. Simply use a smoldering gun to reconnect LED lights after cutting them and benefit from customization and flexibility in your lighting setup.
How to store LED lights?
LED lights can easily be damaged if tangled or twisted. To store your lights safely, you need to wrap them around a flat surface to maintain their shape and infuse an extra layer of protection by covering them with bubble wrap.
Why Do My Led Lights Keep Falling Off The Wall?
Your LED lights might fall off the wall due to inadequate adhesive or mounting materials. Ensure the surface is neat, dry, and suitable for adhesion. For better support, use stronger adhesive options such as double-sided tape or brackets. Check if the weight of the lights exceeds the adhesive’s capacity.
What is the best glue to stick LED strip lights?
Epoxy is the best glue to stick LED strip lights. However, exercise caution during application to ensure a secure and precise bond.
Can you put super glue on the back of LED lights?
Yes, you can super glue on the back of LED lights for a strong and durable bond.
Can you use glue to stick LED lights?
Yes, you can use glue to stick LED lights; just make sure the chosen glue is appropriate for the surface and provides a secure attachment.
Conclusion: Restick, Reuse & revive LED strip lights
Reviving the stickiness of your LED lights is a simple and cost-effective task. You don’t have to let those droopy lights mess with your vibe.
All you have to do is clean the adhesive surface thoroughly and use everyday household items like rubbing alcohol or double-sided tape for LED light. Once done, you can restore the stickiness of your LED lights effortlessly.
Moreover, remember to peel off any residue gently and avoid abrasive materials to maintain the quality of the lights. With these easy steps, you can again enjoy well-adhered LED lights, brightening your space without hassle.
So, don’t let your lights lose their grip – give them a quick fix and continue to illuminate your surroundings with ease!