LED light strips have become increasingly popular for using in the home – they’re cheap, they’re effective, and most importantly, they’re gorgeous!
However, there is a common concern among homeowners and renters – can LED light strips rip paint off the wall?
Let’s take a look.
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Do LED strip lights rip paint off the wall?
While LED strips can rip paint off the wall, it doesn’t have to.
There are a lot of factors that will determine whether it does or not, like how well you’ve stuck the strip on the wall, the quality of the adhesive backing used on your strip light, the quality of your wall’s surface, and finally the quality of your wall paint.
We’ll look into each factor in more detail below.
What determines if my strip light will rip my paint off the wall?
In most cases, LED light strips are designed to be safe for your walls, as long as they are installed and removed correctly.
Adhesive quality
All LED light strips come with adhesive backing that allows it to stick to the wall. However, the quality of the adhesive can vary quite a bit between different brands and models.
Cheaper, lower-quality LED strips will come with an adhesive that isn’t ideal.
Sure, it will stick to the wall, but just like a cheap, non-brand battery, it won’t last very long. And then you’ve got the added disadvantage that when it does start to lose its stick and it starts to peel off the wall, it’s going to take your paint with it.
Therefore, investing in high-quality, reputable brands is advisable to minimize the risk of paint damage.
We recommend Philips LED strips, or Govee if you’re after a slightly cheaper option.
Wall surface quality
The condition of your wall can also affect the likelihood of your paint coming off.
As you’d expect, smooth and clean surfaces are less prone to damage compared to rough and dirty walls.
If your wall has imperfections like dents or built-up dirt that just won’t come off, the adhesive on your strip light will latch on to it when you install them.
Sadly, when you then come to remove that strip, the built-up dirt will stay attached to your light strip, taking the paint with it.
The answer then is a simple one: clean your walls before putting up your strip lights! We recommend a good wall cleaner like this one.
Proper Installation
Proper installation of your LED strip lights is key to preventing paint damage.
It’s easy to say (and arguably even easier to do) but you’d be surprised how many people don’t do it.
Make sure you press your LED light strips firmly onto the wall and allow the adhesive to bond properly. I usually do 20 seconds – singing the Happy Birthday song twice is optional!
If you’re not pressing the strip long enough against the wall, you risk the strip peeling off in places over time, taking your precious paint with it.
Paint quality
Lastly, you’ll want to consider the quality of your wall paint before sticking your LED strip lights on it.
It goes without saying that the poorer quality wall paint you use, the higher the likelihood it will peel off when weight is applied to it.
But there’s other considerations too. If you’ve not put a priming coat on first (aka you’ve just painted directly onto the wall), you’re asking for patches to peel off.
Equally, if you’ve applied a new coat of paint over an existing oil-based paint without proper preparation, peeling is going to be an issue.
Something to consider!
How to stop LED strip lights ripping paint off the wall
Alas, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of your LED light strips causing any paint damage to your walls:
1. Choose a high-quality LED strip: Opt for high-quality LED light strips from reputable manufacturers. Don’t go for the cheap option, or you’ll be asking for trouble.
2. Prepare your wall first: Make sure you clean your wall before installing your strip to remove any dirt, dust, or residue that could hinder the adhesive’s performance.
3. Firmly press your strip into the wall: Don’t just push your LED strip into the wall for 5 seconds and call it a day. Apply firm, even pressure for 20 seconds to ensure all the adhesive on the back of your LED light strip is firmly attached to the wall.
Closing remarks
LED light strips do not inherently rip paint off the wall.
When used correctly and with the right preparation, they can be a fantastic way to add unique lighting effects to your living space.
Taking precautions during installation and removal, as well as investing in quality LED light strips, can help ensure that your paint remains intact.
So, go ahead and illuminate your space with confidence!
VIEW OUR CAVELIGHTS RECOMMENDED LED LIGHT STRIPS HERE.
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[…] We cover wall surface quality in our article looking at whether LED strips rip paint off the wall (hint: they don’t have to!), but to put it simply, the rougher and dirtier your wall, the higher the chances of your LED strip peeling off over time. […]