LED-based Double R Sign

August 10, 2023

As part of the larger Neon Dream Kickstarter fundraiser and event that I helped out with in various ways, I decided to try my hand at creating a small scale replicate of the Double R neon sign, but made out of silicone-wrapped LED strip lights. I had never worked with these LED strip lights before (or even soldered before), but I watched a few tutorials online and thought I would give it a go!

Photos courtesy Steven Miller

Photo courtesy Suzanne Perkins

An important lesson learned: at the start of the rope, you cut just a little before the cut point indicated by the dark spot on the rope, and at the end of the rope, you need to cut just beyond the cut point. If you cut at the end before that cut point, the three LED lights after the previous cut point won't light up, so the end will have a few lights not lit.

I was really impressed with how it all turned out. I even gave the sign a dimmer switch. It was given away as a door prize right before the new real neon sign was turned on for the first time atop the Twede’s Café pole sign. The winner, Suzanne Perkins, even lives in North Bend!

For those wondering what supplies were used, and who may want to make their own, here is everything used including links:

• Silicone-wrapped, LED strip lights (12-Volt)
• Power supply with dimmer switch (12-Volt)
• Maple plywood (1/2 inch, 2-foot by 4-foot)
• 3M Sandblaster Pro Hand Sander
• Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Black Satin (oil-based) paint
• Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Ultra Gloss Colonial Red paint
• Gorilla Super Glue GEL (15 gram bottle)
• Stencil of the Double R sign to trace onto the wood
• Sandpaper (I think I used 220 grit)
• Big, wide paintbrush for black
• Small detailing paintbrush for red
• Soldering iron and wire (for connecting two solder points on each R together)