Can't get LED strip to Stick.

[Davidceder]

I am having a heck of a time getting my 16 foot LED strip to stick. I am putting it in the channel, against the rig that attaches the awning to the rig. It is a perfect width. This time I even used some 3M 06396 Adhesion Promoter. I know it is used for plastic on cars, motorcycles etc but hey it is all paint. It is not like I have not done this before. I had some installed for two years before they failed and my last two attempts at getting them to stick has failed. The promoter says to wait at least 90 seconds prior to application and not more than an hour. I would say by time I started installing was about 30-40 minutes and the promoter was no longer sticky. I think a better idea is to apply some promoter, wait a couple of minutes and stick on the strip & repeat. It was indeed sticky a few minutes after the promoter was installed. I think I missed the timeframe. Anyway my first set I just stuck up there and that was it. Of course these were ordered on Ebay and most probably came from China so who knows if it really was 3M adhesive on them.

Any suggestions? All are welcome.

[DaveandSue]

When I want something to stick to our 5er,I use the 3M tape with the red peel off tape. It'll take the hair right off your arms. Stuff stays stuck.

[raspivey]

I may not have the same setup, but mine slid into the end of the channel and had caps at both ends. I didn't even use adhesive when I replaced them.

[Flybob]

The glue on many of the LED strips is terrible. I always add a strip of the 3M Auto Trim tape with the red peel off backing. Much easier than promoter etc and it sticks.

[crunchman12001]

Wipe rail down with rubbing alcohol to prep, stick this 3M tape directly the back of the LED light strip tape. As you install the LED's pull the other backer off the new tape and apply 2' at a time.
Mine have held for 3 years now.

3M 03614 Scotch Mount 1 2" x 15' Molding Tape | eBay

[MilCop4523]

the 3m tape is great but won't stick to stuff that has wax or any sort of dust dirt or crap on it. i wash the stuff down with mineral spirits and a clean cloth a couple times and then the stuff sticks very well.

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by crunchman12001

Wipe rail down with rubbing alcohol to prep, stick this 3M tape directly the back of the LED light strip tape. As you install the LED's pull the other backer off the new tape and apply 2' at a time.
Mine have held for 3 years now.

3M 03614 Scotch Mount 1 2" x 15' Molding Tape | eBay

X2 on the alcohol prep

[youroo]

Originally Posted by crunchman12001

Wipe rail down with rubbing alcohol to prep, stick this 3M tape directly the back of the LED light strip tape. As you install the LED's pull the other backer off the new tape and apply 2' at a time.
Mine have held for 3 years now.

3M 03614 Scotch Mount 1 2" x 15' Molding Tape | eBay

This way! Youroo!! End result still after 3+ years!

[5picker]

Find some 3M VHB tape... it won't come off using this stuff.

*EXAMPLE*

[Davidceder]

Youroo;

Did you use the 3M molding tape?

[Evereddie]

I just put a new LED strip on my camper and the first time I started to pull off the paper backing on the sticky strip the whole strip came off. It didn't look like anything was wrong but it want sticky. After close examination I found that the sticky strip was actually pulling off with paper. Once I got only the paper to peel off then it worked great. Just a heads up for anybody with this issue.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Davidceder

Youroo;

Did you use the 3M molding tape?

Yes same as Crunchman! Youroo!!

[Davidceder]

Has anyone purchased any covered channeling where you could permanently attache the channel and just slide in the LED strip. Seems like that would make great sense since these do fail.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by jeff64

X2 on the alcohol prep

X 3 Later RJD

[crunchman12001]

Originally Posted by Davidceder

Has anyone purchased any covered channeling where you could permanently attache the channel and just slide in the LED strip. Seems like that would make great sense since these do fail.

There were a few here that went the channel route. The stuff is expensive, the tape is cheap. The lights are from China and do fall. You can make 'em stick like crazy for under $20 and buy a new set for the same $. Don't over think it.

[mark0224]

I Wiped the area down with alcohol, used 1/4 " 3m Auto molding tape and my lights have been up for 3 yrs now.

[silverback 35ts]

Simple the strip dose not have any adhesive left on it, send it back and get a new strip!
As for from china i will bet from the cheapest to the most expensive "will all come from china" but it always comes down to the quality control of the "company"!

[Davidceder]

For all of you using using the VHB or molding tape. Are you purchasing the LED light strip with or without the adhesive on the back? I would think since all this 3M stuff is so good that using an strip WITH adhesive just adds an additional possible failure point of the adhesive separating from the strip.

[crunchman12001]

Pl

Originally Posted by Davidceder

For all of you using using the VHB or molding tape. Are you purchasing the LED light strip with or without the adhesive on the back? I would think since all this 3M stuff is so good that using an strip WITH adhesive just adds an additional possible failure point of the adhesive separating from the strip.

When I installed mine, I bought the ones that came with the Chinese version of sticky tape.
1) I cleaned the rail on the camper (awning rail) with alcohol.
2) Remove 2' at a time of 1 side of the backer on the 3M moulding tape and stick it on the rail the full length across.
3) Remove 2' at a time of the sticky tape backer on the LED's and stick the lights on to the previously installed 3M tape.
No problems since april 2013.