[TowerTalk] Painting fiberglass antennas

[Robert Chudek]

If you must "paint" the top of your Diamond, you can use polyester resin,
hardner, and a white pigment "coloring" additive.  These products can be
found at marine supply houses and are used for marine repairs.

It isn't "paint", but rather two liquids you mix together, like epoxy.  You
apply it like a paint with a brush [or professionally, with an air paint
gun]. The chemicals react and harden into the "fiberglass" surface [Gelcoat]
you find on your Diamond antenna, boats, hot tubs, etc.

If your radome was cracked, you would want to also use fiberglass mat to
rebuilt the strength of the broken section.  Although these URLs explain
boat hull repair, the process of making fiberglass repairs is summarized
nicely, including caveats for inexperienced glass workers.

Overview:
http://capndsboatshed.com/fiberglassprep.htm

Specifics [Polyester resin is referred to as "plastic" on this page]:
http://capndsboatshed.com/hullrepair.htm

73 de Bob - K0RC [who used to work for a boat manufacturer in his previous
life]

P.S. A can of white Krylon would probably provide the same esthetically
pleasing results, with a lot less work.  My reply is more along the lines
of:  "for educational purposes only"!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Gooden" <CGooden at insightbb.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2003 8:30 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Painting fiberglass antennas


>
> I purchase a used Diamond 2 m / 70 cm base station antenna.  I
> notices some of the paint was coming off with in one foot of the tip
> of the antenna.  Before I put this antenna up I was wondering if
> anyone could tell me if there is any special paint that I should use
> to spray the antenna with.  Or will local hardware supply Krylon do
> the trick?
>
> Thanks,