Cutting LED Light Strips To Size
Can I cut the strip to fit my exact cabinet length?
Yes, this is a standard feature of LED strips. The tape has designated "cut points"-usually small copper ovals marked with a scissor icon-spaced every 50mm to 100mm. You can safely cut the strip at these points with standard household scissors to ensure it fits perfectly inside your overhead cupboards without bunching up or overhanging.
Preventing LED Strip Adhesive Peeling
How do I stop the strip from peeling off?
The most common failure with LED strips is the adhesive failing due to grease or dust on the cabinet surface. Before peeling the 3M backing, you must clean the underside of your cabinetry thoroughly with methylated spirits or an alcohol wipe to remove any cooking oils. For the best bond, we recommend sticking the strip inside an aluminium profile (sold separately) rather than directly to the melamine.
LED Strip Heat Safety
Will the lights overheat if left on all night?
LEDs generate very little heat compared to halogens, but they do get warm. Heat is the enemy of LED longevity. While the strip is safe to touch, sticking it to an aluminium profile acts as a "heat sink," drawing heat away from the chips and significantly extending their lifespan (often doubling it) compared to sticking them directly onto timber or chipboard.
Is Warm White Lighting Too Yellow For Cooking
Is "Warm White" too yellow for cooking?
Warm White (3000K) is the industry standard for residential kitchens. It provides a cozy, inviting glow that matches standard living room downlights. It is bright enough for task work (chopping, reading recipes) without the clinical, blueish harshness of "Cool White" (4000K+), which can make a home feel like a hospital or office.
Will LED Light Dots Reflect On My Benchtop
Will I see "dots" reflected in my benchtop?
If you have glossy stone or laminate benchtops, sticking the bare strip under the cupboard will result in the "dotting effect"-where you see hundreds of individual LED reflections on the counter. To avoid this, you must use an aluminium profile with an opal (frosted) diffuser cover. This scatters the light, creating a smooth, neon-like bar of light with no visible dots.
Replacing LED Lights When They Stop Working
If the lights stop working, do I have to replace everything?
Usually, the first thing to fail is the driver (power supply), not the LED strip itself. Because the system uses simple plug connectors, you can easily unplug the old driver and swap it for a new one without peeling the strip off your cabinets. This makes long-term maintenance very cheap and easy.
