Has anyone tried painting their VHF antenna ?-gctid341771

[Guest]

My antenna works great, but looks like crap.

I know I can replace it with a shiny new one, but if I can do something simple to spiffy it up - that will do.

I am thinking about taking some white exterior latex paint and some sandpaper to it.

Has anyone done this ? Just wondering if it worked out ok.

[boatworkfl]

PugetMike wrote:
My antenna works great, but looks like crap.

I know I can replace it with a shiny new one, but if I can do something simple to spiffy it up - that will do.

I am thinking about taking some white exterior latex paint and some sandpaper to it.

Has anyone done this ? Just wondering if it worked out ok.

Spray with a clear finish, you can sand with a fine grade of sandpaper to get rid of the loose fiberglass strands, wear leather gloves while sanding, do not use latex paint.

[Guest]

Will latex peel or something ?

[Guest]

for 50 bucks you can get a new one at westmarine.....looks like they're brand new ones too!!

:arr arrr

[2850Bounty]

If the fibers are starting to become little slivers that find their way into your skin, you can smooth it down, and brush finish resin onto the surface.

Then sand smooth again afterwards.

Been there/done that.

[Guest]

seapuppy wrote:
for 50 bucks you can get a new one at westmarine.....looks like they're brand new ones too!!

:arr arrr

A decent 8' VHF antenna starts at over $100 and goes way up. What is it you're getting for $50?

[Guest]

PugetMike wrote:
I am thinking about taking some white exterior latex paint and some sandpaper to it.

Has anyone done this ?

I'm interested to hear the replies too. I have 2 very good Shakespeare 6225 antennas but one that suffers in appearance.

[captharv]

Use 150 grit, then 400 grit then 600 wet and dry, sandpaper. Then coat with a clear acrylic spray, such as car "clear coat". Wear gloves, and a painters mask. Remember, fiberglass is not only a skin and eye ittitant, but its carcenigenic, too.

Be very careful, because metalic based paints will screw up the radiation pattern.

[captharv]

Use 150 grit, then 400 grit then 600 wet and dry, sandpaper. Then coat with a clear acrylic spray, such as car "clear coat". Wear gloves, and a painters mask. Remember, fiberglass is not only a skin and eye ittitant, but its carcenigenic, too.

Be very careful, because metalic based paints will screw up the radiation pattern.

The 5225 is a good antenna. Its a colinear element and an honest 6 dBd gain antenna.

The $50 one is a one section, 3' antenna in an 8' housing. Its actually a 3dBd. Shakesphere rates ALL 8' antennas as 6 dB.

[Guest]

boatworkfl wrote:
Spray with a clear finish, you can sand with a fine grade of sandpaper to get rid of the loose fiberglass strands, wear leather gloves while sanding, do not use latex paint.

Why not latex? It should be electronically invisible, as there's not metal in the paint. The fiberglass tube only supports the radiating element....

[h]2 wrote:
[/h]

[Guest]

What is it you're getting for $50?

You can get the bottom of the line Shakespeare for $35-50. Junk, but usable. Probably something I'd ONLY use in fresh water, as the internal construction is crap and likely to corrode.

As far as fixing up the antenna, treat it like any other fiberglass job. Sandpaper until smooth, then apply a coat of slow-setting epoxy and let it set with the antenna vertical so it stays even. You can add color to the epoxy or spray with any fiberglass-compatible spray paint (epoxy paint).

[SomeSailor]

Scuff sand it... tint some epoxy with white tint and apply liberally. Hang vertically (pointy side down) and any drip would travel down. Should work just fine.

[2850Bounty]

SomeSailor wrote:
Scuff sand it... tint some epoxy with white tint and apply liberally. Hang vertically (pointy side down) and any drip would travel down. Should work just fine.

That's an even better idea.

[Guest]

west marine sells an 8 fter for 50 bucks...http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=50188

:arr arr

[Guest]

Yeah, that's the junk one. I wouldn't buy anything less than the 5225XT.