ᐅ After installing LED strips, the plastic on the KALLAX unit is chipping—how can this be prevented?
Created on: 7 May 2017 13:42
S
Swenon
Hello everyone,
I recently installed LED strips in my KALLAX shelving unit to create more pleasant lighting. Unfortunately, I’m having the issue that the plastic parts of the KALLAX shelf are chipping at the points where I mounted the LED strips. This seems to be related to the connection or the material itself, probably due to the somewhat firmer clamps or brackets I used.
My question: How can I protect or reinforce the plastic material of the KALLAX shelf to prevent further damage when installing LED strips? Are there any special protective measures, materials, or alternative mounting techniques that have proven effective? I want to avoid additional damage to the shelf while ensuring the installation remains secure.
Thanks for your advice!
I recently installed LED strips in my KALLAX shelving unit to create more pleasant lighting. Unfortunately, I’m having the issue that the plastic parts of the KALLAX shelf are chipping at the points where I mounted the LED strips. This seems to be related to the connection or the material itself, probably due to the somewhat firmer clamps or brackets I used.
My question: How can I protect or reinforce the plastic material of the KALLAX shelf to prevent further damage when installing LED strips? Are there any special protective measures, materials, or alternative mounting techniques that have proven effective? I want to avoid additional damage to the shelf while ensuring the installation remains secure.
Thanks for your advice!
farli schrieb:
Are the clips original from the manufacturer of the LED strips? Or did you source them yourself?The clips are actually not original IKEA parts but from a third-party brand that sells LED aluminum profiles. Maybe that’s why they don’t fit properly on the KALLAX material.
In addition to the previous discussion:
If the clips are made of thicker plastic and grip tightly, the shelf material can actually crack. In this case, I would recommend applying thin rubberized tape to the contact surfaces of the clips to help distribute the pressure more evenly.
Alternatively, for LED profiles, you can switch to self-adhesive versions. These significantly reduce mechanical stress.
Another option is to place a thin plexiglass sheet or plastic panel of the appropriate width between the shelf and the clip beforehand. This acts as a pressure distributor and protects the shelf.
As a general rule: to avoid damaging the shelf, avoid points of high stress and try to distribute forces as evenly as possible.
If the clips are made of thicker plastic and grip tightly, the shelf material can actually crack. In this case, I would recommend applying thin rubberized tape to the contact surfaces of the clips to help distribute the pressure more evenly.
Alternatively, for LED profiles, you can switch to self-adhesive versions. These significantly reduce mechanical stress.
Another option is to place a thin plexiglass sheet or plastic panel of the appropriate width between the shelf and the clip beforehand. This acts as a pressure distributor and protects the shelf.
As a general rule: to avoid damaging the shelf, avoid points of high stress and try to distribute forces as evenly as possible.
After thorough research on the KALLAX material and LED mounts, I would like to add the following:
KALLAX uses a melamine resin surface on an engineered wood panel, partly combined with plastic components. The melamine surface tends to chip under point loads.
Using clips that apply mechanical pressure to small areas will logically cause damage.
For secure and durable attachment of the LEDs, I recommend:
- Using self-adhesive LED aluminum profiles mounted on smooth, dry surfaces.
- Optionally, lightly degreasing the mounting surface beforehand.
- Using a thin felt or rubber pad under the clips.
- If clips are unavoidable, consider distributing the load by using wider pads.
This also aligns with the manufacturer recommendations for various aluminum profiles.
KALLAX uses a melamine resin surface on an engineered wood panel, partly combined with plastic components. The melamine surface tends to chip under point loads.
Using clips that apply mechanical pressure to small areas will logically cause damage.
For secure and durable attachment of the LEDs, I recommend:
- Using self-adhesive LED aluminum profiles mounted on smooth, dry surfaces.
- Optionally, lightly degreasing the mounting surface beforehand.
- Using a thin felt or rubber pad under the clips.
- If clips are unavoidable, consider distributing the load by using wider pads.
This also aligns with the manufacturer recommendations for various aluminum profiles.
pikin schrieb:
Anyone who doesn’t want to damage the shelf should avoid stress points and distribute loads as evenly as possible.Exactly! I just want to strongly encourage you all to be careful. It can be really frustrating when such a great DIY project gets spoiled by damage like that.
For me, a combination of self-adhesive profiles and felt pads helped – everything stays in place and the plastic stays intact. It feels really good when everything works out and you get to look at a nicely lit room in the evening! :-)
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