Can I paint my DB-420 CommScope

[SpugEddy]

Hello everybody. I just bought a used CommScope DB-420 8 bay antenna.
It's a little rough looking from the weather. My question is, can I give the
elements a light sanding and then a coat of spray paint? Also, if I can, which
is the best paint to use?

Thank you

 

[mmckenna]

Non-metallic paint is fine.

 

[prcguy]

I use Brillo or SOS pads to clean and polish aluminum antennas. Degreasing with a good soap or solvent is a must then I use either Rustoleum combined paint and primer or for a slightly longer lasting finish prime with a "self etching" primer then regular Rustoleum enamel.

 

[SpugEddy]

Fantastic. Thank you for the reply. I did forget that I do
have another question. As per the chart below, what does
the column 019 mean? In the picture of the antenna, It lists
the mast as being 188" then (019) to the right of that.

 

[K4EET]

Hi @SpugEddy, the "-019" for the overall height of 188 inches means that measurement is for a Model DB420-019 antenna. The table of measurements is for antenna Models DB420-001 through DB420-020. Do you know which model you have?

<edit> I may be wrong here. Does the Andrews table for Broad Band Gain Antenna go with the CommScope DB-420 antenna? I've got myself confused since I've been away from the biz for so long. Somebody help me out here please...

<another edit> I cannot connect that Andrew drawing number to the CommScope antenna in question. Besides, the antennas that I see currently have a letter and not a number after DB420. Anybody have an Andrews catalog?

<final edit for the night> I am attaching the CommScope DB420 Spec Sheet...

 

[SpugEddy]

Hi @SpugEddy, the "-019" for the overall height of 188 inches means that measurement is for a Model DB420-019 antenna. The table of measurements is for antenna Models DB420-001 through DB420-020. Do you know which model you have?

<edit> I may be wrong here. Does the Andrews table for Broad Band Gain Antenna go with the CommScope DB-420 antenna? I've got myself confused since I've been away from the biz for so long. Somebody help me out here please...

<another edit> I cannot connect that Andrew drawing number to the CommScope antenna in question. Besides, the antennas that I see currently have a letter and not a number after DB420. Anybody have an Andrews catalog?

<final edit for the night> I am attaching the CommScope DB420 Spec Sheet...

K4FEET, I'm almost certain that the antenna is the DB-420 B (450 - 470 mhz)
I have the actual 16 elements without the mast / poles. The seller was unable to
ship the antenna with mast included. However, your information DOES, in fact,
come in very handy since I now understand the chart.
Thank you for the reply

 

[W8HDU]

I mirror what PRCguy said. Just do not paint over insulators if possible. If they are Fiberglas, I reapp them with a Fiberglass restoration with dye. After restoration I sweep the antenna to make sure performance was not affected in the process. So far, 16 antennas have out OK. I did a few antennas in 5-stage camo at my cottage up north years ago to blend in with the woods. It worked out well.

 

[prcguy]

The insulators are near the feedpoint and its low impedance, so non metallic paints are fine across the insulators. I've used flat black paint in the past which probably has a lot of carbon and saw no change in SWR or performance.

I mirror what PRCguy said. Just do not paint over insulators if possible. If they are Fiberglas, I reapp them with a Fiberglass restoration with dye. After restoration I sweep the antenna to make sure performance was not affected in the process. So far, 16 antennas have out OK. I did a few antennas in 5-stage camo at my cottage up north years ago to blend in with the woods. It worked out well.