01 · ⚠️ Check the color before you stick it down
Red and blue interior lighting can get you talked to — in a lot of states those colors are reserved for emergency vehicles, and rules differ for what is visible from outside the cab. Amber, white and green are the safe defaults. Know your state and your carrier's policy before you wire anything up.
02 · Heat is what kills these
A dash in July gets brutal, and cheap adhesive lets go. Clean the surface with alcohol before mounting, run the strip where it is not in direct sun, and expect to re-stick a budget kit at least once.
03 · RGB or RGBIC?
RGB is one color across the whole strip. RGBIC lets segments run different colors — flowing effects, gradients. RGBIC costs more and most drivers set one color and leave it, so be honest about which one you actually are.
04 · Where the light should go
Footwells and under the dash light the cab without putting glare in your windshield. Avoid anything that reflects off the glass at night — it will ruin your night vision faster than it looks good.