| Author |
Message |
    
Foxhunter
Intermediate Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 113
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 12:15 am: | 
|
I need to find out what the best paint/sealer is to use on the aluminum Maco that can be bought **over-the-counter or off-the-shelf**. I'm really not crazy about some of the guys I've talked to on the air (or even read about on old posts) who say this does not matter much. I believe it does and commercial/professional systems companies say it is VERY important. The products they use however are specially made/commercial products not sold in small quantitites. Someone else considering Antenna Paint/Painting----might find the following of interest:
The most important qualities/characteristics of antenna paint are:
*NO METALLIC PARTICLES
*NO HIGH CARBON LEVELS
*NO CONDUCTIVE DYES
Also must be:
*RF "TRANSPARENT"
*UV RESISTANT
*DULL FINISHED/NON-REFLECTIVE
Has anyone found a good common product (readily available off-the-shelf retail) that might fit the above description? I want to preserve the finish of the antenna and prevent future oxidation without any decrease in RX/TX or other RF interaction.
I'd be thankful to anyone reading this who might be willing to share or comment. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1695
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 11:44 pm: |
|
Do not paint an aluminum antenna.
Painting the insulators with clear lacquer is OK. |
Foxhunter
Intermediate Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 117
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 6:38 pm: |
|
My Dad was commenting that because I used "Scotch-Brite" pads to resurface the antenna to bring it up to a bright (but dull) finish----that I may have taken off an "original factory coating" of some kind that may have been on the aluminum. Perhaps there wasn't any finish on the antenna to begin with I'm unsure.
Tech 833 if you say not to paint/finish/coat the antenna I won't.
Would/do you recommend the use of either "Burndy Penetrox" or "Ideal Noalox" either as a slight coating on the antenna or to be applied to in-between the various joining sections of the antenna? |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1697
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 11:55 pm: |
|
I always highly suggest use of Penetrox on all metal-to-metal antenna joints. Good thinking. |
Foxhunter
Intermediate Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 123
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2008 - 1:35 pm: |
|
OK so Penetrox is preferred over Noalox. I will be getting and using the Penetrox then.
-----------------------------------------------
I have another question about this antenna before it's completed and I'd make a mistake by not asking.
Under the thread "modifying a Maco V 5/8" I was describing the replacment of various corroded fasteners with stainless-steel and "tinned" copper.
I used stainless-steel for all hardware. (I've questioned that decision a little as stainless-steel is a poor condcutor from what I've learned.) However corroding hardware is not an option either.
I used a flat 3/4-inch wide copper clamp as an exact-match replacement (in all size dimensions not material) to the severely corroded mild-steel one that wrapped around the hoop/ring. That particular clamp is the one joined by that one main wire to the flanged SO239.
I was trying to read and learn about "Galvanic Corrosion" (wrongly referred to as "electrolysis" I see) regarding negative consequences resulting from direct contact between "dissimilar metals" (I have 4 types now on there). I've read than aluminum and copper don't mix well and that the copper will shed ions and corrode the aluminum. Especially in the presence of an electrolyte.
I've already "tinned" the copper strap-clamp with electrical silver-solder for corrosion protection and good conductivity. So now that this copper clamp is "clad" in electrical solder, do you see any problems of that nature arising from their union? What about the stainless-steel machine screws joining the aluminum? Should I use Penetrox on any or all of this? I'd really especially appreciate this being answered.
The site I'd gotten the majority of my information from was from "Corrosion Doctors" out of Canada.
http://corrosion-doctors.org/Forms-galvanic/galvanic-corrosion.htm
|
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1701
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 1:00 am: |
|
Use penetrox on all metal-to-metal joints. |
Foxhunter
Intermediate Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 125
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2008 - 12:49 am: |
|
Ok I got Penetrox this weekend for all joining antenna sections and will use it. I appreciate this *AND ALL* the advice given on setting up this antenna.
It is so much better TO KNOW you are putting together something right than TO GUESS that you are. The old addage of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" really applies to station & antenna installations. Thanks for helping me avoid any costly mistakes with time and performance. |
