How To Decorate Car With Christmas Lights

Lighting your vehicle is fun, but check laws and stay safe.
Alina Bradford/CNET

Each year, the family and I deck out our Ford F-150 with Christmas lights to participate in the holiday light parade. Terminal year, nosotros won 2nd place in our sectionalisation, so I know a picayune something almost decorating vehicles for the holiday flavour.

Whether you're in a parade, or just similar to show off your holiday spirit at your tailgate party, yous can add lights to your vehicle easily... and without killing your bombardment. Here are some tips to get yous WIP lit this holiday season.

Is information technology legal?

If yous're planning on adding lights to your vehicle for everyday use, it'due south probably non a slap-up idea. It's more than probable illegal in your area. You can always call your local constabulary department to find out the laws in your expanse, simply to be on the safe side, simply decorate for events where y'all'll take the decorations off after.

When lighting your vehicle for a parade or when lighting up a tailgate party, you shouldn't have any problems. Police can be more lenient in these cases, peculiarly if it'south a nighttime light parade. But make sure to turn on the lights after you get to the event to be on the prophylactic side.

Outset small

Earlier going all-out, beginning with a uncomplicated decoration and go from there. I suggest starting with a wreath yous can adhere to your motorcar's grill using nada ties. When you're done, the ties can be easily removed without damaging your vehicle. Light the wreath with bombardment-powered lights instead of the kind you plug in.

The lights come with their own minor battery pack. All you need to do is switch them on before you go out.You lot can get battery-powered lights at well-nigh home improvement stores and some department stores and they come up in a variety of shapes and colors. My favorite are the ones shaped like snowflakes.

Battery-powered lights can also exist wrapped around the grill for a petty more bling.

How to get big-fourth dimension lit

OK, and so maybe going small isn't your style. Drenching your vehicle in bulbs is a little more hard than just adding a wreath or some battery-powered lights.

Invert

Beginning, y'all're going to need a power inverter to produce enough power for lights that have a voltage more than than 12V. Well-nigh Christmas lights are 110V Air conditioning (alternating current). That's no good for car use because your vehicle tin typically only power 12V DC (direct current).

The inverter allows you to apply normal Christmas lights by changing the DC electric current to a useable Ac current. All you lot do is hook information technology up to your vehicle's battery by following the manufacturer's instructions, then plug the lights into the inverter.

You tin get inverters at your local automobile supply store or online. The Potek 2000W Power Inverter Three or the Ampeak 1000W Ability Inverter are good choices.

Attach

Now, you're going to want to attach the lights actually well so they don't fall off or drag the ground. I like to use big zip ties to secure low-cal strands to my vehicle's running boards, mirrors, bed hooks, grill, bumper and other spots where a nil necktie can easily be looped.

Some people as well use strong magnets that you can purchase from craft stores for temporary situations, similar a parade. Merely be sure not to drag the magnet beyond your auto's finish when you remove the magnets. Always pull up on the magnet to avoid scratches on your vehicle's paint task.

Be rubber

When you're in the large leagues of lighting, be sure to be condom. Employ merely lights rated for outdoor use and simply use the lights when it'southward dry out outside. These 110V AC lights can shock you, and not in a good manner.