How to Waterproof 120V LED Rope, Neon, and Strip Lights for Outdoor Use
04/21/25
If you're installing 120V LED lights outdoors, waterproofing your connections is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your design. While rope lights, strip lights, and neon lights are often labeled for indoor/outdoor use, the weak link is almost always the connection point—where your power cord meets the light, where two runs join, or at end caps.
Many people refer to this as waterproofing—and that’s the term we’ll use throughout this guide for clarity. Our products are weatherproofing kits designed to protect your lighting connections from far more than just water, when installed properly. They create a sealed barrier against rain, dust, wind, insects, and snow, so your lights keep working no matter what the forecast looks like.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know. Including, how the process works, what products to use, and where to find lighting and accessories built for long-term outdoor use.
Why Waterproofing Matters for Outdoor LED Lights
Even outdoor-rated LED lights can fail if water or debris enters into the electrical components of the lights. This results in the most common failure in LED linear lighting—and it’s preventable when preformed properly.
Waterproofing your LED connections helps:
- Keep out water, dust, and insects
- Prevent short circuits and flickering
- Extend the life of your lighting system
- Reduce safety risks and maintenance needs
High Voltage Safety Reminder:
120V lighting runs on regular household (high) voltage. Always unplug your lights before working on connections. If you’re unsure about any step, contact a licensed electrician.
What you’ll need:
- Your 120V LED lights (rope, strip, or neon)
- End cap for your specific lighting type (see links in the product sections below)
- Universal Weatherproofing Kit
- Heat gun or high-heat hair dryer
1. Test the Lights
Always test before sealing. Plug them in, check the connection, and confirm everything works.
2. Cap the End of the Lighting
Use one of the included end caps to seal off the exposed end of your LED neon light. Make sure it fits snugly and is properly seated.
3. Wrap with Adhesive Tape
Take the adhesive heat shrink tape from your weatherproofing kit and wrap it securely around both the light tubing and the cap. Use it like standard electrical tape, overlapping the layers for a strong hold.
4. Slide the Heat-Shrink Tubing into Place
Position the tubing included with the adhesive tape over the taped area so that it fully covers the seal between the cap and the light housing.
5. Apply Heat to Seal
Use a heat gun to evenly shrink the tubing. Start at the center and work toward the ends. As it shrinks, you’ll see the adhesive melt and form a weatherproof seal around the connection.
6. Let It Cool
Give the tubing a minute or so to cool and set. Once hardened, the end is sealed against moisture and debris.
Pro Tip:
Repeat this same process anywhere moisture could intrude—including the power cord connection if you're installing outdoors.
Recommended Weatherproofing Products by Lighting Type
While the process is the same across lighting types, accessories vary slightly. Our weatherproofing kits work with all the following products.
120V LED Neon Rope Lights
120V LED Neon Rope Lights, available in single color and RGB color-changing options, provide a dot-free, seamless glow ideal for signage, trim lighting, and bold outlines—without the fragility of glass neon.
120V LED Rope Lights
120V LED Rope Lights are a flexible, classic choice for outlining patios, rooflines, and walkways—easy to install and endlessly versatile. Use the links below to find compatible accessories and weatherproofing products.
120V Neon LED Strip Lights
120V Neon LED Strip Lights offers a cleaner, more flexible line of light than traditional neon. Great for indoor/outdoor signage, borders, and modern architectural applications. Use the links below to find compatible accessories and weatherproofing products.
120V SMD 3528 LED Strip Lights
Compact and efficient, 120V SMD 3528 LED Strip Lights are ideal for subtle outdoor accent lighting along railings, pergolas, and architectural features. A great choice when you want a clean, low-glare glow in tight spaces. Use the links below to find compatible accessories and weatherproofing products.120V SMD 5050 LED Strip Lights
120V SMD 5050 LED Strip Lights are larger and brighter than 3528 strips, these are built for high-output applications like signage, event lighting, and installations where brightness matters. Use the links below to find compatible accessories and weatherproofing products.
120V FCOB LED Strip Lights
120V FCOB LED Strip Lights are flexible strips that offer a smooth, dotless glow and are IP65 rated out of the box—meaning they’re already sealed and ready for outdoor use. No additional weatherproofing is required at the strip level, but you’ll still need an outdoor-rated controller.
Waterproofing your LED light connections is simple, fast, and one of the most effective ways to ensure your 120V lighting system performs outdoors—season after season. Whether you’re outlining a home, lighting up a commercial space, or building something custom, sealing those connections with a weatherproofing kit gives your lighting the protection it needs.