LED bed lights under rail mounting?

I installed some this past weekend. Unfortunately I broke them in one corner. I even commented to my neighbor that the corner was too tight. So I get to do it again. My question is even with a good cleaning it did not seem like the adhesive supplied with the lights was going to hold. I am wondering if I am better off just using the 3M tape from the git go. I even thought about a light bead of 100% silicone.

 

are your lights epoxy or silicone ?

3m makes hundreds of types of double sticky tape. some good. some bad.

good

$7 3m VHB 100x200mm~ (4" X8") Double Sided Foam Adhesive Sheet Tape 5952 Automotive Mounting Industrial Grade Very High Bond 5952 (1 Sheets 100x200mm)

3m VHB tape takes 24-48hrs to fully cure and if the surface isn't prepped correctly it doesn't matter how long you wait or what kind of tape it is - it won't stick.

 

Lights come with the 3m adhesive. I believe the supplied adhesive would work fine but it seemed to be applied inconsistenty. There were dry areas. I believe the lights are silicone.

 

you mean the strips have 3m tape already applied to them? should be the full length unless someones getting cheap....where did you buy them and what are they?

if the lights are silicone you can use silicone to mount them if you wish. chances are they are epoxy though. Post up a pic if you can.

 

I use this tape to reinforce the ends. you can use this every foot or so. just cut a small piece and press it down.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotch-1-in-x-1-66-yds-Exterior-Mounting-Tape-411-DC/100575385



this is how I installed mine
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/li...ome-light-circuit-lots-pics-wire-routing.html

 

they are the 5050 led waterproof strips from Ebay or Amazon. Material is springy and soft not firm. Brand is Superbrite I believe.

 

I have had a strip from Amazon installed under my rails for 2 years, no problems at all. Came with the 3M adhesive on the back, and that's all I used. BE SURE to clean all surfaces with rubbing alcohol and let them dry before applying the adhesive.

 

Ahhh...5050's are hard to find in silicone so you should have epoxy.

Use 3m VHB tape that safe for outdoor use.

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail...=71847577042&gclid=CKDMzfes1r0CFYc7OgodVk0AFg

 

I cleaned the rails with alcohol. I think the adhesive was not good on the light strip I bought. Since I broke the original at one corner o bought a new roll. Adhesive looks better on this one. I am going to try without tape first.

 

Adhesive on the second is also failing. I bought some 3M heavy duty double sided tape. As soon as its gets warm enough around here I will be trying it out. If this stuff does not work I will be looking for some kind of liquid adhesive.

 

Adhesive on second set is also failing. I bought some 3M heavy duty double sided tape. As soon as the weather warms up I will be trying it. It the tape fails I will be looking for wome kind of liquid adhesvie.

 

That's what I used for my own set of LED bed lights and it hasn't gone anywhere! It's definitely thicker than the stock stuff that comes with the strip but I think it's great!

 

it starts out thick, but you can press it down to conform to the surface shape/contour. you don't have to use it on the entire strip, just every foot or so.

 

I bought enough for the whole strip so I will have 100% coverage. I am also going to clamp it overnight at least.