Hide TV Wires Smartly: Delamu's 113.6-Inch Paintable Raceway Reviewed
When mounting a TV, dangling cords can ruin the sleek look you're after. The Delamu Cord Hider offers a 113.6-inch self-adhesive raceway that conceals 2-3 wires, with a paintable surface to blend into your wall. This guide covers what to check before buying, focusing on adhesion, size, and installation ease.
Key Considerations Before Buying
- Measure your cord length carefully: The Delamu kit spans 113.6 inches, which suits most wall-mounted TVs, but ensure it covers the full drop from TV to outlet or baseboard without gaps.
- Check wire thickness: With a 0.95-inch width and 0.55-inch height, this raceway fits 2-3 standard cables; thicker HDMI or power cords may require single-wire routing to avoid bulging.
- Plan for paintability: The paintable surface allows color matching, but you'll need to sand lightly and use a primer for best adhesion; this adds time but improves camouflage.
What Our Analysts Recommend
Quality indicators include strong 3M adhesive backing that holds on clean, flat surfaces (avoid textured walls), and a snap-close design that stays shut without gaps. Look for pre-cut corners or flexible joints to navigate tight spaces around baseboards or corners.
Cable Raceways Market Context
Market Overview
Cable raceways have evolved from bulky plastic channels to slim, paintable kits that prioritize aesthetics and DIY installation. The market is crowded, with options ranging from simple adhesive covers to more complex systems with corner connectors, but most focus on hiding 1-3 wires for TV setups.
Common Issues
Common problems include poor adhesion on painted or textured walls, leading to peeling over time, and raceways that are too small for modern thick HDMI or power cables. Users also report difficulty cutting raceways to exact lengths without cracking the plastic.
Quality Indicators
High-quality raceways feature flexible, durable PVC that resists cracking when cut, and a low-profile design (under 0.6 inches tall) that doesn't protrude. Strong adhesive with a high temperature rating ensures it stays put near electronics that generate heat.
Review Authenticity Insights
Grade B Interpretation
A Grade B authenticity rating with a 10% estimated fake rate indicates that while the majority of reviews are genuine, about 1 in 10 may be incentivized or unreliable. This is typical for popular cable management products where sellers sometimes solicit reviews for visibility.
Trust Recommendation
Given the high 4.89/5 rating and low fake percentage, you can trust the overall sentiment, but focus on verified purchase reviews that describe long-term use (3+ months) to confirm adhesion longevity. Be cautious of overly short or vague 5-star reviews.
Tips for Reading Reviews
Look for reviews that mention specific wall types (e.g., drywall vs. textured), installation tips (e.g., using a hairdryer to warm adhesive), and how the raceway holds up with multiple cables. Photos of painted installations are especially helpful for assessing fit.
Expert Perspective
The Delamu Cord Hider is a solid choice for a paintable, self-adhesive raceway that balances length and capacity for most TV setups. Its 113.6-inch length covers typical drops, and the paintable surface is a standout feature for seamless integration. However, the 10% fake review rate and Grade B authenticity suggest some exaggeration in the 4.89 rating, so the adjusted 4.60 is more realistic—still excellent. The slim profile (0.55 inches tall) works well for baseboard or wall mounting but may not accommodate very thick cables like some power bricks.
Purchase Considerations
Weigh the ease of installation against the need for a perfectly flat surface; textured walls may require extra preparation or alternative mounting. The kit includes enough raceway for most setups, but you may need additional corner pieces for complex routes, which are sold separately.
Comparing Alternatives
For thicker cables or more complex routing, consider raceway kits with flexible corners or larger capacity (e.g., 1.2-inch width). Compare with brands like CordMate or Legrand for additional features like pre-cut corners.
