Painting exterior coax

[NeedtoKnow2]

I would like to paint my RG-58 cable to match the siding on my house.
I have Rust-oleum Ultra Cover spray that "also bonds to plastic", but which contains acetone and xylene. Is there anything inherent in this paint that would negatively affect the physical integrity of the coax or its signal transmission characteristics?

Also, I have an insulated ground wire running down the exterior wall from the transformer end to of my Endzfed long wire. Is it ok to run my coax along the same path as this ground wire for a few feet before it enters the house?

 

[K9WG]

Question 1 - Only risk is the paint would attack the plastic outer insulation.

Question 2 - Yes, you can run the ground wire along with the coax (in fact cable TV coax have the ground wire/stringer incorporated as part of the coax.

 

[Rt169Radio]

Are you using paint in a bucket or a can? Don't spray cans spray out tiny pieces of metal when your using it?

 

[K9WG]

Are you using paint in a bucket or a can? Don't spray cans spray out tiny pieces of metal when your using it?

That won't be an issue if he is painting the outside of the coax. Some paints contain chemicals that will attack the plastic coax outer insulation.

 

[Rt169Radio]

That won't be an issue if he is painting the outside of the coax. Some paints contain chemicals that will attack the plastic coax outer insulation.

So does that go for all spray paint cans? For outside paint?

 

[LtDoc]

I don't think painting coax would be a huge problem. Can't say I've used the same brand of paint, but I've painted and seen coax painted a number of times. A fairly nice thing would be to not paint any connectors used. I don't think is would harm them, but could cause problems when they have to be disconnected, you know?
In an ideal situation, all cabling would be separated/isolated from all other cabling. But since this certainly isn't an ideal situation (haven't seen one of those yet!), I just don't think I'd worry about it a lot. Of course, if there should be some 'odd' happenings/behavior, it might be something to consider checking. It's done quite often so shouldn't be a major problem. If it should turn out to be a 'major problem' then I'd definitely start looking for something else not being 'right' with the system.
- 'Doc

(Paint it all pink! No self respecting electron would want anything to do with it. Makes'em go faster just to get away from it.)

 

[ipfd320]

If anything Painting the Coax would Probably Help it more and Keep the Outer Losses a Little More Concealed With-in the Coax-plus it would Help the Outer Insulation from getting Dried out from the Sun

 

[K9WG]

One final word on painting the coax. Some paints will attack plastics. I had a friend that owned a stage lighting company. He decided to paint his extension cord plugs so he could identify them easier. The paint never "dried" (was tacky long after it should be dry) and in reality was breaking down the plastic. I believe this is probably more of a risk with petroleum based paints.

 

[kb2vxa]

You essentially answered your own question.

"I have Rust-oleum Ultra Cover spray that "also bonds to plastic", but which contains acetone and xylene."

That's what makes it bond to plastic. Now if it bonds to plastic it's for use on plastic, need I say more?

 

[NeedtoKnow2]

You essentially answered your own question.

"I have Rust-oleum Ultra Cover spray that "also bonds to plastic", but which contains acetone and xylene."

That's what makes it bond to plastic. Now if it bonds to plastic it's for use on plastic, need I say more?

No, not necessary. But thanks.