Topband: Spiderbeam mast UV Resistance?

[GeorgeWallner]

Jim,

The shiny coating on my 18 m bare SpiderPole mast got 
grayish, brittle and started chipping after about 8 
months. Subsequently, the mast broke. The fiberglass at 
the break appeared to be "dusty". Since I have painted the 
mast, about 5 years ago, it has held up OK. Location is 
Florida with no shortage of sunshine.

George


On Thu, 29 Aug 2013 06:14:05 -0600
  "Jim Garland" <4cx250b at miamioh.edu> wrote:
> My 26m Spiderbeam mast is made of a shiny black 
>fiberglass material. Have
> users of this or the shorter Spiderbeam masts had 
>experience with how well
> the masts hold up to UV radiation? My QTH is at 7000 ft 
>elevation and the
> sun shines 330 days/year, so UV degradation is a big 
>problem.  I've used
> Krylon UV-resistant spray on my SteppIR yagi and it 
>didn't seem to help at
> all. I've heard that a water-based urethane paint works 
>well, but don't know
> if it would bond to the Spiderbeam mast. Also, the top 
>of the mast is very
> flexible and thin, so the weight of the paint might also 
>be a problem. Any
> suggestions?
> 
> 73,
> 
> Jim W8ZR
> 
> _________________
> Topband Reflector