Seal or strengthen LED Tape?

[uncle sticky]

That wonderful LED tape is also very fragile. Any tips to reinforce/protect it? I'm thinking of hitting it all with clear silicon.

[maladroit]

Trying to solve the same problem. Not sure of bending or tearing is the issue...for bending I'm trying to bond a tough thin plastic strip to the back. For tearing, a piece of strong ribbon or bias tape.

[FIGJAM]

Slip it into some polytubing.

[uncle sticky]

It seems to really like to break where the solder is. At least it's an easy repair when it happens. I'm going to through clear (non-metallic) duct tape at the back on the solder spots. Maybe a dab of clear dap on the front.

[Good News Bear]

Slip it into some polytubing.

Timely thread. I did exactly this earlier today.

Pro tip if you don't have an electrician's fish: Use a vacuum to pull some string into the tubing, and then use that to pull the LED tape in.

[Capinator]

It fits perfectly in translucent white 1/2" PEX tubing, which is super cheap. It's not as good as clear plastic tubing, but it is WAY cheaper.

[BBadger]

Yeah, LED tape is pretty fragile. I think we tossed out quite a few strips after a couple years of use because they kept breaking due to wind, etc. Those strips encased in a silicone "tube" (IP67 strips) are somewhat more tolerant of bends than those bare or silicone surface-covered strip (IP65). See this for reference. It also helps if you bind them to something that'll reduce flex and give strength, like some Ethernet cable.