12 Volt · Vehicles ·Dec 06, 2025

Get this Look: 12 Volt Multicolor Strings, Light a Corvette

Light Up a Corvette for a Parade 🎄🚗

We want to send a big thank you to Roger from Snohomish, WA for sharing photos of his brilliantly decorated Corvette. This is such a fun way to bring Christmas cheer to parades, car shows, and neighborhood events.

Corvette outlined with multicolor Christmas lights at dusk

Materials Used

12-volt multicolor LED light strings
Blue painter’s tape (low-adhesion tape from the paint aisle)

12-volt lights are designed for vehicles, golf carts, campers, and boats. They plug into most accessory outlets and draw low power, which makes them a simple solution for mobile lighting projects—no separate converter needed.

We asked Roger how he attached the lights, and here’s what he told us:

“We attached the wiring using a good-quality painter's tape (masking tape). Sticks well and is easy to remove and leaves no residue or negative effects on paint.”
— Roger, Snohomish, WA

If you’re not a painter, blue painter’s tape is made to peel away cleanly from walls and trim. That same low-adhesive quality makes it a great option for temporarily attaching lights to a car and avoiding sticky residue.

Tip: Before taping lights to your vehicle, always do a quick spot test in an inconspicuous area to make sure your paint and trim are happy with the tape you’ve chosen.

Side view of a Corvette decorated with multicolor LED lights

This same idea works beautifully for:

Christmas parades
Birthday or graduation drive-by celebrations
Trunk-or-treat events
Car club cruises and meetups

It’s a quick way to add personality to your vehicle and make someone’s day a little brighter. ✨

Front view of Corvette with multicolor lights ready for a Christmas parade

Try This With Your Own Ride

Lighting a car, cart, or camper for a parade? We’d love to see what you create.

Shop 12-Volt Multicolor Lights

Frequently Asked Questions

How do 12-volt lights work on a car?

12-volt light strings are designed to run on the same type of power used by most vehicles. They typically plug into an accessory outlet (often still called the “cigarette lighter”) with a compatible 12-volt plug. Always check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to confirm the outlet’s power rating and avoid overloading a circuit.

Is painter’s tape safe on vehicle paint?

Blue painter’s tape is made to be low-adhesion and to remove cleanly from most surfaces, which is why many decorators prefer it for temporary projects. That said, every vehicle finish is different. Test a small piece of tape on an inconspicuous area first, avoid leaving tape on for extended periods, and never apply tape to hot surfaces or freshly painted areas.

How many light strings can I run from one outlet in a car?

The number of light strings you can safely run depends on the total wattage of the lights and the rating of your vehicle’s accessory outlet and fuse. 12-volt LED light strings use less power than traditional incandescent options, which helps keep the total load lower. Check the product specifications for wattage, review your vehicle manual, and when in doubt, keep the number of strings modest or consult an automotive professional.

Originally published July 4, 2020. Updated and republished December 6, 20205.