[TowerTalk] Oxidized R7-what to do?

[clive penna]

Hello Jon,
Well my location here is similar in that the sea is within 500 yards
from here. My answer to corrosion has been to assemble the antenna
using an Anti-Oxidant then paint the whole antenna. But i start by
using a special Aluminum etch primer which really sticks to the tubing,
followed a two pack acrylic paint. This stuff is mixed in 10:1 proportions
and was obtained from a specialist paint Co. It is not usually available
from ' Domestic paint sources. '  Prior to painting my
elements i got advice from the Director of ' The Institute of Protective
Coatings'. I was amazed that such a title existed.
However i can confirm that the painted elements do not corrode and
it does not crack off, it seems to be very durable and elements that
were painted 4 years ago are still fine after lots of salt, rain and 120mph
winds. Regards Clive GM3POI
----------
> From: Jon Schmidt <schmidtj@ix.netcom.com>
> To: Tower Talk Reflector <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Oxidized R7-what to do?
> Date: 19 April 1998 01:55
> 
> Hi Gang,
> 
> I live very near the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, and have began
to see some problems with
> my R7 Vertical whaic has been up for about 2 years.  I noticed that the
SWR would jump around from
> 1:1 to 4:1 or worse while fed with RF, particularly at higher power
levels (500+ Watts).  Upon
> inspection, I see that the whole antenna is covered with a white dust
powder, and it pretty heavy in
> some places.  I assume that this is just aluminum oxide.  I am going to
take this vertical down and
> clean it up, but what would you recommend as a good way to clean (steel
wool) and what to use in the
> reassembly and post assembly (Anti-ox joint grease and clear Krylon)?
> 
> I don't want to have to do this job every two years, so all of your help
will be appreciated!
> 
> 
> 
>                                         73's
> 
>                                         Jon  WD8JSA
>                                         San Clemente, CA
> 
> 
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