| Author |
Message |
    
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 238
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 11:55 am: | 
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OK, was thinking about this yesterday. I am thinking about spary painting an IMAX 2000 so it matches the color of the tree I will be mounting it in. I was thinking though. Does the spray paint (probably gonna use Rust-O-Leum) have any metal properties in it that may throw off the SWR's (Lead, etc..)? Especially when I paint the parts of metal that are exposed (Where the whip screws in, the middle section, etc..). Any thoughts? Any recomendations on what type of paint and where to buy it? Thanks. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 415
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 2:21 pm: |
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Depends on the paint. I have painted antennas with a standard acrylic paint with no problems. Rust-o-leum I am not sure about but would not try it. |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 243
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 4:47 pm: |
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Acrylic paint? Is it available at Home Depot? Spray or can? Is Acrylic good for weather conditions throughout the years? Thanks. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1876
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 5:48 pm: |
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i can tell you that krylon ultra flat black works well. thats what i use.
whatever you use, you want to use a sealer afterwards so you dont have to repaint it in a year.
i would say that as long as you stay away from any metalic colors, you should be fine.
read the ingredients on the can, if it seems that it has metal particles in it, might want to try a different one.
good luck,
matt |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 244
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 9:24 pm: |
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Hi Kid..A sealer? Do you mean like thompsons water sealer? If not, can you recommend what type of sealer you are talking about and where to buy it? Thanks. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1881
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 10:39 pm: |
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the best thing would be an automotive sealer, available at an auto paint supply store, but thats kinda impractical and im not sure if you can get it in individual spray cans.
any polyurethane sealer made for exterior use will work fine. the key is multiple coats. (4 or 5)
that you can get at the home depot.
take a look around when you go to buy paint. you'll be surprised at all the different products out there nowadays.
you might even find a primer specifically made for fiberglass.
lots of cars are made out of it these days.
good luck,
matt |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 245
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 11:18 pm: |
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So basically use an acrylic paint for the camoflauge (maybe even 2 coats). And then apply 4-5 coats of a polyurethane sealer. Does this sound right? Is Thompsons water sealer a polyurethane sealer? In other words, is the type of sealer you are talking about the same type as used on decks on houses? Also, is acrylic paint readily available at Home Depot or lowes? I wanna make sure I do this right. Thanks. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1727
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 11:45 pm: |
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Maybe try a marine shop near you.
They may have something to protect fiberglass. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 10460
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 12:04 am: |
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I have always used Automotive Fiberglass paint and clear coat designed for Fiberglass like on corvettes.
You can find the fiberglass primer, paint, and sealer (clear coat) in about any automotive part's store in any color you want.
I and Tech833 have posted on this topic many times before.
Hope this help's,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9CEF
CVC#2 |
Airplane1
Advanced Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 832
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 7:04 am: |
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Advance Auto stors have the primer and paint/clearcoat for fiberglass. I used it on my fiberglass reflector elements on my PDL-2 and they got very nice.Lightly sand and wipe off the parts your painting though befor you paint them.
AP |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 959
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
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Yeah and Lon painted his Corvette yellow!!!!
Just kidding.
I did notice some splintering on mine after the tumble, it was up over a year. I sanded it down wiht fine paper and it smoothed up really quick. I then lightly painted it with several coats of the fiberglass clear coat by PPG using a HVLP spray gun. I scuffed the clear wiht a 3M grean scuff to take the shine off of it afterwards. All is well now (I hope)
Chad |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1728
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 11:03 am: |
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While out today i stopped at a automotive
store to check out paints and things.
Like others are saying: they have what you need.
Neat colors too.  |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1517
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
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That under coating in a spray can would work and look good. Its black though. The stuff is indestructable and holds up to UV punishment from the sun. Probably last for years. You can get it at auto parts stores. Its kinda like the stuff they use for spray on bed liners for trucks. You would just use a thinner application of course. |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 247
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 12:31 pm: |
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Hey Road Warrior. What was the name of the automotive store? Thanks. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1883
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 6:11 pm: |
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hotwire, i think that is a GREAT idea!!!
i think i'll be using that on my next antenna install.
thanks!
matt
PS- saw your 102" whip install. NICE! |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1731
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 7:56 pm: |
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Advance Auto store. You should be able to
find the paint at most auto stores. Just go
in and look around at your closest auto stores. |
Hollowpoint445
Senior Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 1293
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 7:58 pm: |
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Chad - do you own the HVLP or did you rent it? I've seen them used on TV but never saw one in person. Are they sensitive to paint viscosity? |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 962
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 11:00 pm: |
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HP,
Yes I own 2, 1 generic, 1 Mac. They are a tad sensitive to viscosity but as with any gun it's best to just do a test strip. Honestly if you are used to painting you can pretty much visualize your pattern. It's just a bit weird not running the pressure. You will be more sensitive to the different feeling than the gun is sensitive to the viscosity  Just thin to the recommended measurements and you will be fine! AND you will never go back!
Also remember that there are can fed HVLP's and gravity fed. I like the can fed the best, they act about the same but feel more conventional, can fed's are pricey! The MAC is can fed but was in excange for unpaid labor
chad |
Znut
Advanced Member
Username: Znut
Post Number: 710
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 8:26 pm: |
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If you are worried about the paint detuning the antenna try using masking tape to tape off the metal ferrules plus 1/8" on the fiberglass by the ferrules to insulate the painted sections from the metal ones. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1521
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 10:35 am: |
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Hey thanks KV, the whip seems to be working great! About the under coating stuff..I gotta keep that stuff away. Whenever I have a can I seem to cover up everything I can until its gone! One of my old cars was practically covered with that stuff. If the Imax was in reach now then it too...... |
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 445
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 5:48 pm: |
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I painted my i max with rust oleum i have good swrs 1.4 not bad for a painted antenna.I painted mine black. |
