LED Strip below the rub rail?

[mtandkids]

I am a rookie when it comes to these kinds of things but last year I was able to attach an LED strip around the outside of my boat. It really looked nice bouncing of the water at night. But the strips kept coming off whenever we would pull a tube or surf behind the boat. The strip was IP68 and worked fine, but keeping it attached to the boat was the problem.

Does anybody know or have a suggestion of how I could keep these strips attached?

I have a 2009 Supreme V212.

Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[Scott Danforth]

get a LED light strip channel. Klus makes a few. or a crap-ton of clear silicone (which would look like crap)

the cheap 2-sided tape that comes with the LED strip leaves a bit to be desired.

 

[gm280]

3M makes special tape for just such things. You can find it in most auto paint stores for use on body side moldings. It comes in different widths and lengths. But be forewarned, you better have it exactly where you want it, because there is no second tries. JMHO

 

[alldodge]

It really looked nice bouncing of the water at night.

Just FYI but if the law see's you with them on while moving your going to get a ticket

 

[fhhuber]

Surface prep before attempting to apply the strip with double stick... You have to have clean, slightly roughed up gelcoat.

Clean it till you are sure its clean... then wipe it down with a rag damp with acetone, then lightly sand with 400 grit... then wipe again with the acetone. NOW the gel coat is ready.

Depends on the quality of the double stick they applied to the LED strip... maybe its fine. Maybe you need to remove it and use good double stick. If you have to remove it you need to be sure to get it all off... some of the cheap LED strips have double stick that lets go when it gets warm.

 

[bruceb58]

Just don't have those outside lights on when the boat is moving.

There is a 3M primer you put on first that activates the adhesive. Don't count on the cheap chinese lights to work well even if it does say 3M on it because the are not really 3M products...copies!

 

[fishrdan]

There is a 3M primer you put on first that activates the adhesive.

"3M adhesion promoter", check Ebay or a local automotive auto paint supply store.

I picked up a pen filled with it off Ebay for $5 or so, works great.


I wouldn't do anything to the hull except cleaning off the dirt, grime and wax (Simple Green then acetone or alcohol), tape off the area you're going to stick the LED strip to, apply the adhesion promoter to the taped off area, then stick the LED strip down.

 

[bashr52]

Bluewater LED make bow rail lights that are nice as well. You could look into how they hold them to the truck.