TL;DR
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
Any advice guys? Had bad experience with this in the past.
Depends on the adhesive used. Have you tried Goo Gone?
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?
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.
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
Great thank you! I am going to try this.
Happy to help !
Steam
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!!
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....
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.
I’ll try that when we go back!! Thank you
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.
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.
try fabric softner
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.
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
Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to soften the adhesive
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.
You can use 91% alcohol to loosen up the adhesive.
I will try that, thanks you.
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
That's actually working and I don't have to buy anything, might just take a while thank you.
Glad to help!
Buy a hair dryer
lmao i was gonna comment that
Dental floss
looking for recommendations on how to lessen the damage or fix it after peeling everything
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.
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
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!
tape perhaps
How would I get the tape off the back of the light strips tho?
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maybe covering the sticky part with plastic wrap would work. You'd probably want to test a small area first.
Stick them to baking paper
So parchment paper? Or is there a different baking paper?
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
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.
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?
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
I didn't think about command strips! Thank you so much!
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
Ooo I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!
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
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
The tape to apply them might. It is not a big deal since you can repaint the wall.
The tape might not stick well and I don’t wanna damage my wall
If it does not stick well, it will not damage the walls.
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!
Petroleum jelly, WD40, olive oil, peanutbutter. They will all help break it down and make it easier to remove. Let it soak awhile.
you should that won’t take blue paint off my wall?
Peanut butter may, the rest shouldn't
Try isopropanol, or if you don’t have any, alcohol based hand sanitiser might also work.
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.
how to remove LED light strips without peeling paint
Here are some key considerations for safely removing LED light strips:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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