Dark SS whip

[Brake Weight]

I'm thinking of getting a 108" whip for my 4x4 but I don't want it to be so obvious. Has anyone ever tried to 'blue' one? I realize that stainless won't blue like steel, but there are products out there that will give a similar finish.

Something like this: Stainless Steel Blackener - 8 fl oz - Metal Finishing Solutions - Caswell Inc

 

[binrat]

Why don't you try it and post up some pictures of it.

 

[Mudfoot]

Plastidip spray paint? Lol, might work.

 

[psycho]

No matter how you color a 9' whip, it is going to stand out.

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

how about spraying it with truck bed liner ?

 

[Brake Weight]

I thought about the Plastidip and bedliner. But everytime it whacks something it'll peel off some. Let me see what I can get ordered up the next few days.

 

[QROdx]

it wont hurt a steel whip if you were to use plain ol' spray paint, matt black or black primer, as long as you don't cover the threads with paint.

now painting a fiberglass antenna with a rattle can is a different story, especially if you use white.
I learned the hard way that gloss white has titanium in it and I effectively made a gamma match out of my antenna.
Now I know to use the spray paint that is made for plastic outdoor furniture if I'm going to paint a fiberglass antenna.

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

gun metal bluing kit maybe ?

Bluing | Metal Preparation & Finishing | Gunsmithing & Gun Parts -MidwayUSA

 

[Brake Weight]

Stainless steel won't blue like gun steel. I'll read a little more and see what I can do. I've got a useless Lil' Wilson whip to experiment on though.

 

[jessejamesdallas]

Stuff might work...I think it may fade quick tho....you could always have it powder coated...

I also agree with psycho...a 9' whip is going to stand out regardless...

 

[JCH]

Yep, mine's about 13' and I know where all the low branches are.

 

[Brake Weight]

Found some stuff at RadioCrap...PCB Etchant Solution. I removed the top and stuck the small whip in through the foil.

This is the Lil' Wilson after a 5 min dip.

I think it'll work full scale.

 

[Brake Weight]

It took hurricane boredom to complete it. The bead on the end is the same brassy color. Got my little YanMar in the background for contrast.

The SS portion is a darker and duller finish. It isn't as noticeable flailing about when going down the road since it isn't shiny.

Ended up at a 1.5-1 to a 1.7-1 across the band with out a spring. Not too bad.

 

[JoeDirt]

You can also bead/media blast the antenna. I would use glass bead for a light gray finish and aluminum oxide for a darker gray. You can pickup a cheap Harbor Freight blaster for cheap.

I run around with a Francis Amazer and most people never even notice it.