I've got a question or two, when you say LED strips, what do you mean? Are you referring to the 5 meter strips sold on eBay and other outlets and are you using the "Waterproof" type.
On rereading your original post you said rope light. I have no experience with rope lights and because I think I can make a better visual install with strips I recommend them over rope lights.I have found that most strips will adhere to aluminum, composites and even clear lacquer and painted surfaces very well. For your use, the "Waterproof" type would be better. The glue on these strips seems to be a better quality and sticks better.
Many of the strips, even Chinese made, use 3M adhesive on their strips and are quite difficult to remove. I use 3/8" or 1/2" angle and channel aluminum for making under cabinet or inside cabinet lights because it is easier to mount with a couple of #4 flathead wood screws than trying to lay a LED strip in a straight line freehand.
I feel that using adhesives on well polished surfaces is not as long lasting as applying to a clean smooth, sealed surface. Some waxes will stick better to strips than they do to something like fiberglass or Filon or other composites used for RV siding. Try putting a small piece of an LED strip on a waxed surface that is in the sun all day for a week or two and then pull it off. The wax will be on the strip more than it is on the waxed surface.
For outside lights, I use liquid tape to seal the end of the strip and around the connector or shrink tube and I secure the connector end to the mounting surface. There is a very strong air stream flowing over the side of an RV and if the connector is loose and flopping around it will start to tear the strip from the mounting surface.
I solder my leads to the strip and then use shrink tube for protecting the connection rather than using one of the crimp fittings. I don't know about the reliability of the crimp or pressure fittings so I am not soldering for that reason. I use solder because the fitting is smaller and easier to seal and mount on a cabinet or surface where there is a strong wind stream.
I've had a lot of fun removing all the old puck lights from under cabinets and inside our entertainment unit. I needed some 12VDC power supplies and bought some from an RV surplus and salvage outfit but I found some power supplies on eBay for about five bucks and they work great. I buy the two watt type for a full strip or less but I think they would power more than two five meter strips. I use number 22 to 18 wire zip cord in black and red. Most strips are made for 12VDC so you don't need a PS but they are fun to have around the shop.
As an added benefit, the DW loves the lights I've made much more than the old puck and other QH lights we've had.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson
David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II
