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How to Remove LED Light Strips Without Peeling Paint

GigaBrain scanned 53 comments to find you 48 relevant comments from 9 relevant discussions.
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How do I remove LED strip lights without chipping paint off my wall?
r/Advice • 1
Any tips on removing led light strips from dorm walls?
r/cuboulder • 2
Moving 5/15
r/Apartmentliving • 3
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6 more

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How to Remove LED Light Strips Without Peeling Paint

TL;DR

  • Use a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive.
  • Consider using Goo Gone, rubbing alcohol, or dental floss for gentle removal.

Heat Application

One of the most recommended methods for removing LED light strips without damaging paint is applying heat. Using a hair dryer or heat gun can soften the adhesive, making it easier to peel off without taking the paint with it [2:1], [3:1]. However, caution is advised as excessive heat might damage the lights themselves or the wall surface. Testing on a small section first is advisable.

Chemical Solutions

Goo Gone and rubbing alcohol are popular choices for loosening adhesive. Applying these products can help dissolve the glue, allowing the strip to be removed more easily [1:1], [4:3]. It's important to test these solutions on a small area to ensure they don't react negatively with the paint [1:4].

Mechanical Methods

For those who prefer not to use chemicals or heat, mechanical methods like using dental floss or a utility knife can be effective. Dental floss can be used to "saw" through the adhesive gently [2:3], while a utility knife can be slid under the strip to separate it from the wall [4:1]. These methods require patience and care to avoid damaging the wall.

Post-Removal Repairs

If some paint does come off during removal, repairs may be necessary. A flexible putty knife can help remove any remaining adhesive, and sanding smooth followed by priming and repainting can restore the wall's appearance [5:1]. Spot priming with an oil-based primer over residual adhesive ensures that new paint adheres properly.

Additional Tips

  • If you don't have a hair dryer or heat gun, consider borrowing one or purchasing a cheap model [4:7].
  • Always start by testing your chosen method on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't damage the paint.
  • Be prepared for some minor paint damage and have repair materials ready if needed.
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Source Threads

POST SUMMARY • [1]

Summarize

How do I remove LED strip lights without chipping paint off my wall?

Posted by Baby_from_da_6 · in r/Advice · 4 years ago
1 upvotes on reddit
7 replies
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ORIGINAL POST

Any advice guys? Had bad experience with this in the past.

7 replies
I
I_am_Rubber · 4 years ago

Depends on the adhesive used. Have you tried Goo Gone?

3 upvotes on reddit
Baby_from_da_6 · OP · 4 years ago

It’s just the basic adhesive that comes glued to the strip lights in advance. Would I use goo gone to just get underneath the lights and pry it off?

1 upvotes on reddit
I
I_am_Rubber · 4 years ago

I would just drip some over the top of the adhesive strip and let it sit for a while. Then use a metal scraper or knife to wedge under the strip to scrape it off. Depending on how big the strip is, you would add more goo gone as you go so it can work its way through the entire strip.

1 upvotes on reddit
GlitchingPurple · 4 years ago

If the paint isn't water soluble you could use rubbing alcohol and you slowly peel it away. Although before you do this, do a small test on the wall to make sure no reaction happens.
And be careful with inhaling too much if you do this, you might get dizzy if you inhale it for a long time

2 upvotes on reddit
Baby_from_da_6 · OP · 4 years ago

Great thank you! I am going to try this.

2 upvotes on reddit
GlitchingPurple · 4 years ago

Happy to help !

1 upvotes on reddit
theeye404 · 4 years ago

Steam

2 upvotes on reddit
See 7 replies
r/cuboulder • [2]

Summarize

Any tips on removing led light strips from dorm walls?

Posted by grskaterr · in r/cuboulder · 4 years ago

Hi, does anyone have any tips on how to remove my led light strips from my dorm walls without damaging/taking off the paint? I’m afraid if the paint indeed does peel off then I’ll get a hefty fine from housing. Anything’s appreciated thanks!!

2 upvotes on reddit
6 replies
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6 replies
[deleted] · 4 years ago

This is a long shot and I haven’t tried it myself and the heat MIGHT ruin lights but it’s lights or damage fees but maybe try using a blow dryer to soften up the glue... maybe try in a little spot n see if the heat loosens the glue at all....

3 upvotes on reddit
The_Sandvich_Man · 4 years ago

I'll second using a blow drying to soften the glue. My roommate had the exact same situation and this worked for him. If any big portions of paint do happen to chip off you can bring in a piece of the paint to somewhere like Home Depot and they'll get you the exact right color for you to repaint it.

1 upvotes on reddit
grskaterr · OP · 4 years ago

I’ll try that when we go back!! Thank you

1 upvotes on reddit
starman_junior · 4 years ago

If it's just adhesive, you could try slowly sawing through it using tooth floss. I've used that for 3M strips when the tab broke off.

1 upvotes on reddit
I
Independent-Ad8002 · 4 years ago

Last year I had LEDS, I yanked it off my wall and it ripped hella paint. But thankfully they didn’t notice, so don’t be as dumb as me because you might not be as lucky as me.

5 upvotes on reddit
Millennial-Official · 4 years ago

try fabric softner

1 upvotes on reddit
See 6 replies
r/Apartmentliving • [3]

Summarize

Moving 5/15

Posted by dabbin_matt710 · in r/Apartmentliving · 4 months ago
post image

So me and my girlfriend have been living in this apartment for the past 5 years. Well in the next 2 weeks we are moving. We have these cheap led strip lights up around the whole living room and kitchen ceilings as well as behind the TV. The light might be cheap but the adhesive isant.😅 while packing We tried taking them off the wall and the wall came with it . Any tips tricks or help would be awesome. I'm not worried about keeping the lights more so not destroy the whole ceiling border.

3 upvotes on reddit
2 replies
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2 replies
Otherwise_Picture_85 · 4 months ago

I used a heat gun to melt the adhesive when I took mine down a few years ago. It still took off some paint here and there, kind of unavoidable but if you heat it up it helps make it not as bad in my experience

3 upvotes on reddit
9
95blackz26 · 4 months ago

Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to soften the adhesive

3 upvotes on reddit
See 2 replies
r/howto • [4]

Summarize

How do I remove those LED strip without damaging the rest of my wall P.S. I don't have a hair dryer.

Posted by power_of_mike · in r/howto · 3 years ago
post image
4 upvotes on reddit
9 replies
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9 replies
M
Mo0kish · 3 years ago

Pick up a cheap heat gun.

If the adhesive already permeated the paint, I don't know that you'll be able to remove the rest any other way.

Otherwise, cut along the edge with a razor to keep the tear outs from spreading past the edge, and then light weight spackle the torn areas and sand smooth to repaint.

5 upvotes on reddit
J
Jono_-_ · 3 years ago

You can use 91% alcohol to loosen up the adhesive.

7 upvotes on reddit
power_of_mike · OP · 3 years ago

I will try that, thanks you.

2 upvotes on reddit
KrizMo138 · 3 years ago

Could take a utility knife extend the blade all the way, put it to the side and slide the blade under the lights and pull them at the same time. I remove these alot as a painter and that what I do. Takes a bit of patience your first time tho

6 upvotes on reddit
power_of_mike · OP · 3 years ago

That's actually working and I don't have to buy anything, might just take a while thank you.

5 upvotes on reddit
KrizMo138 · 3 years ago

Glad to help!

1 upvotes on reddit
uchl · 3 years ago

Buy a hair dryer

24 upvotes on reddit
margot_sophia · 3 years ago

lmao i was gonna comment that

3 upvotes on reddit
L
littlequangan · 3 years ago

Dental floss

8 upvotes on reddit
See 9 replies
r/paint • [5]

Summarize

LED strip lights peeling paint

Posted by smoke_gas_eat_ass · in r/paint · 2 months ago
post image

looking for recommendations on how to lessen the damage or fix it after peeling everything

reddit.com
2 upvotes on reddit
1 replies
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1 replies
Ctrl_Alt_History · 2 months ago

Use a flexible putty knife to remove the strips and adhesive. Sand smooth, spot prime with oil-based primer over the adhesive (there's always residual glue), light skim with hot mud, sand and re-prime the mud, top coat.

1 upvotes on reddit
See 1 replies
r/NoStupidQuestions • [6]

Summarize

Please help I’m moving tomorrow!!!

Posted by Mission_Win_8208 · in r/NoStupidQuestions · 5 months ago

I have led light strips that go across my room about 100ft what can I use that will keep them from sticking like how they originally come with the back. Is there a certain thing they don't stick to well that I can use to move them with when you pull them off the wall the strip is still super sticky and I want to use them when I move because they are a good brand and a bit pricey. I don't want to have to buy new ones since there not even a year old. Thanks in advance!! New user pass phrase: Thank you for your answers

3 upvotes on reddit
10 replies
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10 replies
RavishingHarriet · 5 months ago

To move your LED strips, try wrapping the adhesive side with painter’s tape or wax paper to protect it. You can also use a hairdryer to gently heat the adhesive if it’s tough to remove. This will help preserve their stickiness for reusing in your new place!

Good luck with the move!

1 upvotes on reddit
blondedolli · 5 months ago

tape perhaps

1 upvotes on reddit
Mission_Win_8208 · OP · 5 months ago

How would I get the tape off the back of the light strips tho?

1 upvotes on reddit
No_Evening8416 · 5 months ago

I have a lot of experience with LED light strips, but I'm not sure exactly what you are asking.

Are you asking how to:

  1. Safely remove the strips without damaging the paint?
  2. How to store the strips so the sticky side doesn't become a mess?
  3. How to re-use the sticky side after your move?
  1. Very carefully, and you might not be successful depending on the stickiness/paint quality combo. Use a putty knife and pull verrrryy slowly. Be prepared to touch up with a little patch paint just in case.

  2. I would use strips of paper, plastic, or electrical tape to safely cover the sticky. Then re-spool the lights (buy or make a spool if necessary) to keep them from tangling in the move.

  3. Don't. In my experience, the built-in sticky is one-use. Fortunately, you can use little strips of mounting tape to reinstall your lights somewhere new (I've moved with mine several times) and mounting tape is also more reliable in not damaging the paint in your next place. :)

Instead, cover the old sticky with something permanent like paper and then use mounting tape in the new place.

1 upvotes on reddit
Mission_Win_8208 · OP · 5 months ago

I want to take them off my walls to reuse them but I don’t want them to get stuck together when I move I was trying to see if someone maybe know something I could use to separate the strips like that backing does when you first purchase it.

1 upvotes on reddit
P
preparingtodie · 5 months ago

Maybe covering the sticky part with plastic wrap would work. You'd probably want to test a small area first.

1 upvotes on reddit
B
beaverusiv · 5 months ago

Stick them to baking paper 

1 upvotes on reddit
Mission_Win_8208 · OP · 5 months ago

So parchment paper? Or is there a different baking paper?

1 upvotes on reddit
B
beaverusiv · 5 months ago

The waxy non stick paper you put biscuits on when baking them. They should peel back off, but I would try sticking a corner onto some to see if it peels again

0 upvotes on reddit
_
_iron_butterfly_ · 5 months ago

Wax paper not parchment. You could use two sided tape if its not sticky enough or my absolute favorite... a few dabs of hot glue.

1 upvotes on reddit
See 10 replies
r/UTSA • [7]

Summarize

LED Strip Light Installation

Posted by prickly_pear04 · in r/UTSA · 8 months ago

My boyfriend has really been wanting LED lights for his room at his apartment (he's at Babcock if this matters) and I got him some for Christmas. Only thing I'm stuck on is the installation. I had LEDs in my bedroom but when I moved and took them down, the paint peeled off with it. I'm not sure how much trouble he'll get in if the paint peels when he takes the LEDs down, so I've been trying to find out what other students are doing with their LEDs to see if that helps me at all. Any advice?

2 upvotes on reddit
4 replies
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4 replies
MisterTurtle16 · 8 months ago

Have you tried command strips? Also if the paint chips I would recommend buy some paint to cover it up. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. But that’s what I did for and old apartment and they didn’t notice so i thought it was worth mentioning

1 upvotes on reddit
prickly_pear04 · OP · 8 months ago

I didn't think about command strips! Thank you so much!

1 upvotes on reddit
cakebaraddict · 8 months ago

DONT USE COMMAND STRIPS!! they WILL STILL TAKE OFF PAINT!!! Instead use mounting putty!!! i use it and my lights do not budge at allll

1 upvotes on reddit
prickly_pear04 · OP · 8 months ago

Ooo I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!

1 upvotes on reddit
See 4 replies
r/askteenboys • [8]

Summarize

Do LED light strips pull off your paint?

Posted by johnhu12 · in r/askteenboys · 1 month ago

I’m bouta get led lights for my room around the ceiling and I’m scared it might peel the paint off. I know about the hair dryer trick but I’m just wondering if it pulls your paint off

3 upvotes on reddit
4 replies
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4 replies
Swagiedonut · 1 month ago

Depends on the kind you get I guess, I'd suggest looking for some description of non-damaging tape to secure them.

I don't plan on removing my lights ever so I use stronger double sided tape instead, because no matter what you get the adhesive backing is weak

1 upvotes on reddit
InfernalMentor · 1 month ago

The tape to apply them might. It is not a big deal since you can repaint the wall.

3 upvotes on reddit
johnhu12 · OP · 1 month ago

The tape might not stick well and I don’t wanna damage my wall

1 upvotes on reddit
InfernalMentor · 1 month ago

If it does not stick well, it will not damage the walls.

2 upvotes on reddit
See 4 replies
r/howto • [9]

Summarize

how to remove led strip light adhesive from wall without removing pant?

Posted by [deleted] · in r/howto · 5 years ago

so i bought these lights for my room but they didn’t work, so i tried to tear them down and it left a long trail of adhesive that will not come off, help!

2 upvotes on reddit
5 replies
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5 replies
CraftyCracker · 5 years ago

Petroleum jelly, WD40, olive oil, peanutbutter. They will all help break it down and make it easier to remove. Let it soak awhile.

1 upvotes on reddit
[deleted] · 5 years ago

you should that won’t take blue paint off my wall?

1 upvotes on reddit
CraftyCracker · 5 years ago

Peanut butter may, the rest shouldn't

1 upvotes on reddit
S
Sparu · 5 years ago

Try isopropanol, or if you don’t have any, alcohol based hand sanitiser might also work.

1 upvotes on reddit
mikeatswork · 5 years ago

A citrus based mechanics hand cleaner can work. Or goof off 2 (water based)let it soak for a while and clean with an non abrasive scrubber like a nail brush repeat as needed . Don’t use Goof off 1 (solvent based), abrasive cleaners, green scrubbing pads or, magic erasers. These will strip the paint.

1 upvotes on reddit
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Related

How to avoid peeling paint from LED light strips

best adhesive for LED light strips

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AI Answer

🤖

how to remove LED light strips without peeling paint

Here are some key considerations for safely removing LED light strips:

  1. Heat Application: Use a hairdryer or heat gun on a low setting to gently warm the adhesive. This can soften the glue, making it easier to peel off without damaging the paint.

  2. Slow and Steady: Carefully peel the light strip away from the surface at a 45-degree angle. Pull slowly to minimize the risk of pulling off paint.

  3. Use a Plastic Scraper: If the adhesive is stubborn, use a plastic scraper or credit card to gently lift the edge of the strip. Avoid metal tools, as they can scratch or damage the surface.

  4. Adhesive Remover: If any adhesive residue remains, apply a small amount of adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol to a cloth and gently rub the area. Test on a small, inconspicuous spot first to ensure it doesn't damage the paint.

  5. Patience is Key: Take your time during the removal process. Rushing can lead to peeling paint or damage to the wall.

Recommendation: Always start with the heat method, as it’s the least invasive and most effective way to loosen the adhesive. If you’re concerned about the paint, consider testing the removal technique on a small section first.

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