Paintinng an Antenna?

[Deleted member 337]

Is it possible to spray paint a fiberglass antenna any color that you want on not hurt the performance of the antenna? Something like a wilson 5 foot fgt silverload with the cap on?

 

[Wire Weasel]

Go for it. I lightly spray paint all of my antennas. Generally the base antennas. The white fiberglass or shiny aluminum stands out a mile away. I use the Krylon Ultra Flat Camo colors. Usually the olive drab. So painted the antenna blends right into the trees in the background and many times I've had to point the thing out to people they didn't even notice it and it's right on my roof. Does not affect performance at all. If it did, I wouldn't do it.

 

[BammBamm]

I found some spray paint at Ace Hardware designed to be used on plastics. I sprayed my A-99 a very light sky blue. Didn't affect performance and it blends in well to the surroundings. Any spray paint will work.

 

[VA3ES]

Go for it. I lightly spray paint all of my antennas. Generally the base antennas. The white fiberglass or shiny aluminum stands out a mile away. I use the Krylon Ultra Flat Camo colors. Usually the olive drab. So painted the antenna blends right into the trees in the background and many times I've had to point the thing out to people they didn't even notice it and it's right on my roof. Does not affect performance at all. If it did, I wouldn't do it.

We built up a Cushcraft AR-10 10M antenna and painted it with camo colors - tan, brown, green, and a spot of black here and there. Hoisted the sucker up a tall tree, and it's invisible (which was the whole idea). At 50' high, you just can't see it. I would use a flat paint.

 

[Beetle]

If it has traps or insulators, just be careful not to paint them (especially if the paint is metal-based).

 

[Robb]

Since the SilverLoad is sheathed in UV protected vinyl shrink-wrap, it might not be a great idea to paint it. After the weather and moisture has a chance to work its way thru minute cracks in that paint, it may separate from the vinyl. Then it will look blotchy and nasty after it flakes off. As Beetle sad, metal compounds in the paint might affect it function too. Hate to see how it would work if sprayed with aluminum paint - lol! The SilverLoad is a top-load type antenna - BTW. I would just clean it with soap and water and run it as it is - IMO.

Now, if you were talking about an A99, Imax 2000, or other fiberglass-type antenna; then it is decent plan to use varnish. These antennas begin to shed fiberglass after being weather-beaten after a few years and actually benefit from getting varnish on them. That varnish will act as a binder to keep the fiberglass together for years to come.

 

[davev8]

Is it possible to spray paint a fiberglass antenna any color that you want on not hurt the performance of the antenna? Something like a wilson 5 foot fgt silverload with the cap on?

Well i know you can not spray it aluminium silver paint, a mate of mine did a 7 feet firestick and his swr went almost to the red.... the paint must have had a high metal content

 

[W5LZ]

The only things you should pay attention to with painting an antenna is if the paint is conductive, and keeping the insulators un-painted. After that it's just deciding what color you want.
- 'Doc

(Nothing new in this, just restating what's already been said.)

 

[old goat 321]

So then it would be ok to paint an A99 base antenna? Even the Chrome?

 

[jessejamesdallas]

So then it would be ok to paint an A99 base antenna? Even the Chrome?

Yes it's OK...however it will fade...

 

[old goat 321]

Thank you. I have an old a99 up behind some trees. I kind of like it being unseen from the road. Not that im hiding or doing anything wrong. Just happened to notice the chrome shining. I put it up in a hurry just to see if the rig I got on CL was working. i have some rg8x slack, and think I may get another 20 feet in height. Its on a 10 foot mast now. So far, Im happy with the a99. The antenna and coax has to be 15 years old, maybe more. I can get a weak signal from my brother in law . He has to be 25 miles straight shot. Sorry for going on and on. I was thinking about a new antenna but i want to elevate this one first. Also maybe a ham license in the near future.

 

[Copycat32]

I used samurai black marine epoxy 1 paint on my maximier.. Works great.. It's uv proof and has a 10 year expectancy at harsh seae level conditions.. A friend uses rusto2 winter gray then sprayed a clear uv protection over it.. Dosent effect TX or Rx..

 

[BayouRadioAmplifier]

from the KIO Tech Hexbeam site.
and I know people that did this.


"Another approach is to wipe off the dust and use a spray


can of Rust-oleum Universal which is a combination of primer
and paint. It comes in flat black as well as other colors and
a single coat is probably sufficient."

 

[AudioShockwav]

Rust-oleum Universal which is a combination of primer
and paint

I used to sell a lot of paint in retail, I was lead in a paint department.
The term " Primer and Paint in one" is a buzz phrase dreamed up by paint companies to sell you 2x the paint.
Instead of a gallon of primer and a gallon of paint, they sell you two gallons of paint, more money for them.
We would still recommend using a primer, like Kilz for wood or a primer made for metal before the top coat.

Sneaky little devils.....

73
Jeff

 

[Copycat32]

I used samurai black marine epoxy 1 paint on my maximier.. Works great.. It's uv proof and has a 10 year expectancy at harsh seae level conditions.. A friend uses rusto2 winter gray then sprayed a clear uv protection over it.. Dosent effect TX or Rx..