Are you tired of the yearly struggle of hanging outdoor lights? The nails that leave permanent holes, the staples that damage your siding, and the frustration of realizing you've put a hook in the wrong place. Every holiday season or patio party prep session shouldn't start with a trip to the hardware store for tools and fasteners that cause more harm than good. 3M's Command brand has long promised a world of damage-free decorating, and their Outdoor Light Clips aim to extend that promise to the exterior of your home. But do they truly hold up against the elements? Can a simple adhesive strip really withstand rain, snow, sleet, and scorching heat?
In this comprehensive review, we're diving deep into the Command Outdoor Light Clips, 20 Clear Organizers and 24 Strips (Model: AW017-20NA). We'll analyze every detail, from the product's official specifications to the real-world experiences of users who have put these clips to the test in blazing humidity and windy winters. If you're looking for an honest, no-nonsense guide to determine if these are the right solution for your outdoor lighting projects, you've come to the right place. We'll break down the good, the bad, and the critical tips you need for a successful installation.
Product Scorecard
- Build Quality: 7/10 - The clear plastic clips are sturdy enough for their intended purpose, but some user reports indicate they can break under the stress of a cascading light string failure.
- Value for Money: 8/10 - With 20 clips and 24 strips per package, the cost is reasonable for a tool-free, damage-free solution, especially when compared to repairing holes left by traditional methods.
- Ease of Use: 9/10 - The application process is incredibly straightforward, requiring no tools and relying on a simple clean, stick, and press method that anyone can master.
- Performance: 6/10 - Performance is highly variable and depends heavily on climate and surface type; they excel in many conditions but can fail spectacularly in high humidity or on improperly prepped surfaces.
An In-Depth Look at Command Outdoor Light Clips
So, what exactly do you get in this package? The Command AW017-20NA kit provides a complete system for hanging lights without damaging your home's exterior. Inside, you'll find 20 transparent plastic light clips and 24 small, water-resistant Command adhesive strips. The clear design is a major plus, as the clips blend seamlessly into most surfaces, ensuring your beautiful lights are the main attraction, not the hardware holding them up.
The core of the product's promise lies in 3M's specialized adhesive technology. These aren't your everyday indoor strips; they are specifically engineered to be water- and UV-resistant. This means they are designed to hold strong through a wide range of weather conditions, from freezing winter snow to intense summer sun. The official temperature range for effective adhesion is between a chilly 15
∘
F and a sweltering 125
∘
F.
These clips are intended to be a versatile solution for a variety of outdoor decorating needs. Whether you're hanging delicate string lights for a patio, festive Christmas lights along your roofline, or securing cables and cords, these clips are designed for the job. The true magic, however, is the damage-free removal. When you're ready to take your lights down, you simply stretch the adhesive strip straight down, and the clip pops off cleanly, leaving no holes, marks, or sticky residue behind. This makes them an ideal choice for renters, homeowners who are particular about their surfaces, or anyone who loves to change their decorations frequently. You can even reuse the plastic clips with replacement strips, making them a sustainable choice for years of decorating. Get your damage-free decorating solution today! Check Price on Amazon.
Key Features and Benefits Dissected
Let's break down the most significant features of the Command Outdoor Light Clips and what they mean for you.
Completely Damage-Free Hanging
This is the number one selling point. The fear of drilling into vinyl siding, hammering nails into finished fences, or leaving sticky residue on windows is a major deterrent for many decorators. These clips eliminate that fear entirely. The adhesive bonds strongly to the surface without any mechanical fasteners. When the season is over or you want a change, the clean removal process ensures your surfaces look exactly as they did before. No spackle, no paint touch-ups, and no regrets. This feature alone makes them a revolutionary product for temporary and seasonal decorating.
Extreme Weather Resistance
You might be skeptical about an adhesive holding up outdoors, and for good reason. The outdoors is a harsh environment. 3M addresses this with water- and UV-resistant strips. The UV resistance prevents the sun's harsh rays from breaking down the adhesive and making it brittle. The water resistance ensures that rain, snow, and sleet won't cause the bond to fail. As we'll see in the performance analysis, this holds true for many users, with the clips surviving wind, rain, and cold. However, high humidity presents a significant challenge that can undermine this key feature.
Versatile Application on Smooth Surfaces
The Command Outdoor Light Clips aren't just for one type of surface. They are designed to bond securely to a wide array of smooth outdoor materials. The official list includes doors, flat vinyl siding, soffits, finished fences, tile, painted cinder block, and windows. This versatility means you can create a continuous, beautifully hung line of lights that transitions across different parts of your home's exterior without needing to switch your mounting hardware. It is critical to note the emphasis on smooth surfaces. The product is not recommended for rough or porous surfaces like brick, cement board, or rough-sawn wood, as the adhesive cannot achieve the full contact required for a strong bond.
Simple, Tool-Free Installation and Reuse
Ease of use is paramount. The entire process from cleaning the surface to hanging the lights can be done in a little over an hour (including the recommended curing time) without a single tool. This makes decorating faster, safer (no hammers or drills on ladders!), and more accessible to everyone. The reusability aspect adds to the product's value. Instead of buying a whole new set of clips each year, you can simply purchase a pack of small, water-resistant Command Replacement Strips and use your clear plastic hooks again and again. Ready to simplify your holiday setup? Find the best price for these clips here: Check Price on Amazon.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Installation
Based on the manufacturer's instructions and real-world user feedback, following these steps meticulously is the key to success. Skipping any of these could lead to the dreaded "lights on the ground" scenario.
- Step 1: Choose and Inspect Your Surface. Before you even open the package, identify where you want to hang your lights. Ensure the surface is smooth and non-porous. Run your hand over it. Is it flat vinyl siding, a finished (sealed) wooden fence, or a painted cinder block? Avoid rough-textured wood, unpainted brick, or bumpy cement board. The clips need a flat, stable surface to adhere to properly.
- Step 2: Clean the Surface Thoroughly. This is the most critical step, and where many failures originate. Do not just wipe the surface with a dry cloth to remove loose dirt. The manufacturer states to clean with a dry cloth, but expert users have found a better way. As one successful customer review noted, using isopropyl rubbing alcohol is the gold standard. Wipe down the entire area where you plan to place the clips with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. This removes not only dirt and debris but also invisible oils and residues that can prevent a strong bond. Allow the surface to dry completely.
- Step 3: Prepare the Clip and Strip. Take one clear clip and one adhesive strip. Remove the liner from the side of the strip that has the "wall" text and press it firmly onto the back of the plastic clip. One user offered a pro-tip: if you want a cleaner look, you can carefully trim any excess adhesive that peeks out from behind the clip, but be careful not to cut the pull-tab you'll need for removal.
- Step 4: Adhere the Clip to the Surface. Now, remove the final liner from the adhesive strip. Press the clip firmly onto your cleaned, dry surface. The official instructions are vague, but a critical customer who experienced failure noted the importance of this step. Press and hold the clip firmly in place for at least 30 to 60 seconds. This pressure creates a strong, secure bond between the adhesive and the surface. Don't just tap it on and move to the next one.
- Step 5: Wait One Hour. Patience is a virtue. The adhesive needs time to cure and build its full strength. The instructions explicitly state to wait for one hour after installation before hanging anything from the clips. Hanging your lights immediately is a recipe for failure, as the bond will not be strong enough to support the weight.
- Step 6: Hang Your Lights. After the hour has passed, you can begin hanging your lights. The manufacturer recommends using one clip for every two feet of string lights. Gently slide your light string, rope light, or cord into the clear hooks. Another fantastic user tip for achieving a tight, professional look is to attach the clip to the light string first, right before a bulb, and then stick the entire assembly to the wall. This keeps the lights taut and prevents them from banging against the house in the wind.
Pros and Cons: Real User Experiences
No product is perfect. Here’s a summary of what real customers loved and disliked, based directly on their reviews.
Pros
- Excellent for Achieving a Clean, Tight Look: One user praised the clips for allowing them to hang patio lights tightly against a metal railing. By attaching the clip to the string first, they were able to create a professional installation where the cord was hidden and the bulbs were secure from wind damage.
- Impressive Durability in Wind and Rain: A customer who installed lights on their front balcony reported that the clips successfully withstood a great deal of wind and rain, proving their weather-resistant claims in certain climates.
- Discreet and Unobtrusive Design: The clear plastic of the clips was a highlight for multiple users. They are easy to disguise, blending into the background so they don't detract from the lights. One reviewer noted, "I am so focused on the lights, I forget they are there."
- Strong Adhesion on Properly Prepared Surfaces: A user who hung solar lights on painted cinderblock had zero failures, attributing their success to meticulously cleaning the area with isopropyl alcohol as recommended. This demonstrates that with proper prep, the bond can be incredibly strong.
- Works on Less-Than-Perfect Surfaces: In a surprising twist, one customer reported success using the clips on an "old wooden deck" where the surface was "not very smooth." While this goes against the manufacturer's advice, it suggests the adhesive has some tolerance if other conditions are favorable.
Cons
- Failure in High Humidity: The most significant complaint came from a user in Florida. Despite a meticulous installation, their clips failed after a summer thunderstorm followed by a very humid night, causing the entire length of rope lighting to fall. This suggests a critical weakness in hot, humid climates.
- Chain Reaction Failures: The same user noted that when a few of the adhesive strips failed, the added weight on the remaining clips caused them to fail or the plastic hooks themselves to break. This can lead to a complete collapse of your decorations from just a few initial failures.
- Inconsistent Adhesion: Another user experienced immediate failure. They hung string lights on a patio awning, and clips began to come off as they were working. By the time they finished, the entire string of lights had fallen to the ground, indicating a total adhesion failure on their specific surface or in their conditions.
- Removal Can Be Difficult: A user who wanted a very clean look trimmed the pull tabs off the adhesive strips. They later found that the clips were stuck so hard to their metal railing that they had to be pried off with scissors, making the "damage-free" removal process impossible in their case.
In-Depth Performance Analysis
The performance of the Command Outdoor Light Clips is a tale of two environments. Success or failure hinges almost entirely on two factors: surface preparation and climate.
On the surface front, the clips demonstrate remarkable adhesion when the rules are followed. The user who cleaned their painted cinderblock with isopropyl alcohol experienced a flawless result. This is a semi-porous surface, but the paint likely provided the smooth, sealed finish the adhesive needed to bond correctly. Similarly, the clips held "hard" to a metal railing, showcasing a strong bond on a perfectly smooth, non-porous surface. The most surprising success story was on an old wooden deck. This suggests that if the wood is sealed and relatively flat, the adhesive can perform beyond its official recommendations. However, these are best-case scenarios. Don't risk it on truly rough surfaces. You can find the right tools for any job by checking out your options here: Check Price on Amazon.
Climate is the great divider. In a climate like Colorado's, which can be dry even when cold, the clips appear to perform well. One user was confident they would survive a Colorado winter. However, the experience of the user in Florida is a stark warning. The combination of a thunderstorm (water) followed by high humidity appears to be the adhesive's kryptonite. The moisture-saturated air likely prevents the adhesive from ever truly staying dry, compromising its chemical bond until it eventually gives way. This is a critical consideration. If you live in a coastal area, the deep south, or anywhere with persistent high humidity, you should be cautious and perhaps consider a more permanent solution or be prepared to replace clips periodically. The product's effective temperature range of 15
∘
F to 125
∘
F is broad, but it doesn't account for the crucial variable of ambient air moisture.
Product Specifications at a Glance
- Manufacturer: 3M
- Part Number: AW017-20NA
- Item Weight: 2.4 ounces
- Product Dimensions: 1.25 x 0.82 x 0.5 inches
- Color: Transparent / Clear
- Material: Plastic
- Package Contents: 20 Clear Clips, 24 Small Water-Resistant Strips
- Mounting Type: Wall Mount (Adhesive)
- Special Features: Water-resistant, UV-resistant, Damage-Free Removal
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What surfaces should I avoid? You should not use these clips on rough surfaces like unpainted brick, cement board, rough-sawn or unsealed wood. The adhesive needs a smooth, sealed surface to create a strong bond.
- How much weight can each clip hold? The packaging focuses on light strings, recommending one clip for every two feet of lights. It does not provide a specific weight rating and explicitly warns against using them for valuable or irreplaceable items.
- Can I use these clips indoors? Yes, while they are designed for outdoor durability, they work perfectly well indoors and can be removed just as cleanly.
- What is the ideal temperature for application? The adhesive is designed to hold strong in temperatures from 15
∘
F to 125
∘
F. For best results, apply the clips when the temperature is above 50
∘
F to ensure a good initial bond.
- How do I remove the clips? To remove a clip without damage, lightly hold the top of the plastic clip and grab the exposed pull-tab of the adhesive strip. Slowly pull the tab straight down, parallel to the wall, until the clip releases. Do not pull it out towards yourself.
- Are the clips reusable? The clear plastic clips are reusable. After removing them, you can apply a new Small Command Water-Resistant Replacement Strip to use them again. Make sure you get the right strips for your project. Check Price on Amazon.
Final Verdict: Are Command Outdoor Light Clips Worth Your Money?
The Command Outdoor Light Clips (AW017-20NA) are a fantastic and innovative product for a specific type of user and environment. If you are a renter, a meticulous homeowner who shudders at the thought of drilling holes, or someone who loves the freedom of changing decorations without consequence, these clips are an absolute game-changer. When used correctly on a suitable surface in a low-to-moderate humidity climate, they deliver perfectly on their promise of strong, tool-free, damage-free hanging. The clear design is aesthetically pleasing, and the ease of use is second to none.
However, they are not a universal solution. The evidence strongly suggests that if you live in a very humid region like Florida, you are gambling on their success. The adhesive's performance in constantly damp air is questionable and led to catastrophic failure for at least one user. Furthermore, success is entirely dependent on following the installation instructions to the letter—especially the surface cleaning and one-hour cure time.
Our final recommendation is a conditional "yes." Buy them if you value your surfaces and are willing to perform the proper prep work. They are an excellent, affordable, and elegant solution for most common outdoor decorating scenarios. But if you live in an environment with extreme humidity, you should either pass on them or go in with the expectation that you may need a more permanent solution down the line. For the majority of users, these clips will make decorating faster, easier, and worry-free.
Ready to transform your outdoor space without the damage? You can purchase the Command Outdoor Light Clips here: Check Price on Amazon.
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