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Old 07-13-2017, 03:50 PM   #1
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My hairy antenna.

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My main vhf mast is 16' tall and when raised brings my bridge clearance to 37'. So often times we have to raise and lower this hairy beast while underway.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to coat this so it doesn't give me a dose of fiberglass every time I'm near it? Using gloves helps but it still always gets me. Any recommendations on coatings that will not affect performance?
Thanks.
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Old 07-13-2017, 03:52 PM   #2
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Must be a European antenna
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Old 07-13-2017, 03:57 PM   #3
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Sand it smoother and paint it or gelcoat it?
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Old 07-13-2017, 04:20 PM   #4
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I've read it means the fiberglass is shot and time to buy a new one. Doing your own fiberglass job could help. If you mess up, you need a new one anyway.
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Old 07-13-2017, 04:22 PM   #5
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Absolutely the antenna is fine.....unless bad for a diffetent reason than hairy fiberglass.

I have sanded and painted dozens through the years.

Paint or gel coat is just a preference...but the performance should be fine if it is good now and you dont use some unusual paint.
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Old 07-13-2017, 04:32 PM   #6
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+1 on sanding and painting.
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Old 07-13-2017, 04:37 PM   #7
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2 minute job electrical heat shrink sleeve and a hair drier
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Old 07-13-2017, 04:57 PM   #8
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Quote:
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2 minute job electrical heat shrink sleeve and a hair drier
Over a complete 16' antenna?

You have some really good heat shrink!
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Old 07-13-2017, 05:01 PM   #9
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Must be a European antenna
I see what you did there...
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Old 07-13-2017, 05:01 PM   #10
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Sand it and paint with white gloss Rustoleum. Will not affect the antenna properties one bit.

I have been doing this for years and have not missed a call.
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Old 07-13-2017, 05:03 PM   #11
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Is it an 8' antenna on top of an 8' extension?

If only the extension is the hairy part, sanding alone may solve it... and if not, some paint would probably smooth it out...

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Old 07-13-2017, 05:14 PM   #12
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Does heat shrink have enough UV protection to stand up to the sun every day?
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Old 07-13-2017, 05:22 PM   #13
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From the picture it looks like it is just your base extension. I sanded and repainted mine two years ago with white marine Polyeurothane. It looks great, with no issues.
If you're doing the actual antenna you have to watch that whatever paint you choose has no metals in it. Apparently some do and this is a problem as per the Shakespeare website.
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Old 07-13-2017, 05:38 PM   #14
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Wear gloves!!! I messed with one of those and those fibers afflicted me horribly.
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Old 07-13-2017, 05:44 PM   #15
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Does heat shrink have enough UV protection to stand up to the sun every day?



It was on 3 years when I sold the boat and still looked ok
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Old 07-13-2017, 06:50 PM   #16
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Quote:
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2 minute job electrical heat shrink sleeve and a hair drier
16' of heat shrink?

Sand and paint. We've used one part Interlux Brightsides polyurethane and a brush after their primer. We did thin a bit so the paint flowed better. The antennas still look great after 9 years.
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Old 07-13-2017, 06:52 PM   #17
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Over a complete 16' antenna?
Just on the part he has to touch to lower and raise the antenna. Six inches worth should do it.

My choice would probably be to replace the antenna with a new one. Sanding and painting it would work for a while.
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Old 07-13-2017, 07:04 PM   #18
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Replace with new one, not happening
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Old 07-13-2017, 07:13 PM   #19
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only one solution:



L.
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Old 07-13-2017, 07:35 PM   #20
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The number ONE thing I remember from searching for a boat is the ONE hairy antennae I touched one day and feeling those little fibers for days afterwards. When shopping for "stuff" after I bought the boat was looking at a scotch brite pad and saying "I might need it for the god damn antennae someday"!!!
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