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satellite dish paint

06/22/2008 1:28 AM

I want to repaint my satellite dish.

Is there any specific microwave reflective paint I should use?

Thanks

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Guru
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#1

Re: satellite dish paint

06/22/2008 6:26 AM

I think the short answer is NO.

My thinking is as follows.

Consider the vast amounts of time and effort spent by the military to try and find a paint which doesn't reflect microwaves (e.g Absorbs RADAR) to make stealth aircraft.

Del

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#2

Re: satellite dish paint

06/22/2008 10:09 AM

Just as long as its a thin coat just use ordinary paint...

The stuff they use for absorbing microwaves is based on the fact that it is thick enough to match the frequency of the radar and therefore the reflected signal cancels itself out at the boundary of the surface...

They used this technique at Heathrow airport when some bloke built a warehouse blocking the radar for ground control, in fact it was so reflective it overloaded the radar making it useless. So the military were called in to paint it with their stuff and made it radar invisible.

John

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#3

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 3:27 AM

Hi sthatty:

there is no special paint used on Satellite dishes. I painted mine a brick colour which matches my house, and it works fine.

babybear

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#7
In reply to #3

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 6:09 AM

I painted mine a brick colour which matches my house, and it works fine.

Ha...conversely...if I paint a picture of a satelite aerial on the wall in aluminium coloured paint will that give me sky sport?

Del

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#11
In reply to #7

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 9:22 AM

brilliant

sthatty

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#18
In reply to #7

Re: satellite dish paint

07/02/2008 9:57 AM

Hello Del the cat,

it is worth a try! Got to have line of sight to the satellite though! LOL!

babybear

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#20
In reply to #7

Re: satellite dish paint

07/03/2008 12:37 AM

So how come when I take a picture of a mirror, it doesn't work?

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#21
In reply to #20

Re: satellite dish paint

07/03/2008 3:02 AM

I shall have to reflect on that question...

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#22
In reply to #21

Re: satellite dish paint

07/03/2008 6:03 AM

But that's the thing... You can't!!!

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#23
In reply to #22

Re: satellite dish paint

07/03/2008 6:08 AM

Guess you have to fiddle with the focus...

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#4

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 3:34 AM

Whatever you do, don't use Krylon flat-black!!! It will render your dish stealthy, and it will fly around the neighborhood bombing your neighbors!!!

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#6
In reply to #4

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 4:59 AM

Hi vermin,

can I surgest that 'closter bombs' should not be used? You can't beat a decent 'A' Bomb, can you? Such luvali colours!!!

babybear

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#14
In reply to #4

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 1:28 PM

Two thumbs up, Vermin! Good answer!

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#5

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 4:26 AM

Unless the dish has chipped areas in it just use any pain you want.

Some makers use powered aluminium in the original pain some use a aluminum dish.

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#8

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 6:39 AM

You could replace it with an invisible dish or protect it with a dish 'sock' or make it stand out with a decorated cover.

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#12
In reply to #8

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 10:01 AM

hey

thanks for those links I never knew such things existed.

sthatty

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#9

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 8:05 AM

We have a microwave intrusion detection system here. We paint our radomes with automotive paint because the unpainted radomes require waxing (turtle wax) every few months. The regular automotive paint from a rattle can works fine, the brand doesn't seem to make any difference. The only color we have tried is white though, other colors may have some effect which you may not like.

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#10

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 9:07 AM

The only paint to use, in my opinion is tartan paint.

Go to your local DIY store and order some tartan paint, it won't upset the dish at all...

John.

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#15
In reply to #10

Re: satellite dish paint

06/24/2008 3:44 PM

You mean...you can get paint that looks like...this?

WOW!

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#16
In reply to #15

Re: satellite dish paint

06/24/2008 3:56 PM

LOL

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#19
In reply to #10

Re: satellite dish paint

07/02/2008 10:05 AM

Hello Electroman,

I totally agree. Though when using tartan paint you really need a steady hand! It does look good though.

babybear

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#13

Re: satellite dish paint

06/23/2008 11:22 AM

Just FYI

Try and keep the color light. Darker colors get hotter and will burn up the LNB faster.

My dish is at ground level next to my house. A couple of years back my wife planted flowers all around it to try and "hide" it.

Soon After. I took the pan off and painted a LARGE lovely Sunflower on it! She loved it!

bill12780

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#17

Re: satellite dish paint

06/27/2008 12:29 AM

its more expensive (of course), but they make paint for inside microwave ovens.

I'd bet its great for microwave dishes, also probably pointless.

I have used some for touch ups. Its probably more its flammability than its reflectivity thats the issue. It seems to take longer to harden.

I have seen microwave ovens after they have had normal paint used in them, not pretty. It bubbles then burns.

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Anonymous Poster (1); babybear (4); bill12780 (1); Cardio07 (1); dadw5boys (1); Electroman (3); EnviroMan (2); Nigh (1); sthatty (2); stoney (1); user-deleted-1105 (3); vermin (3)

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