Painting a satellite dome

[wizzo442]

Does anyone know if a white Winegard satellite dome can be painted with the same paint used on the coach? Will it affect reception, etc? Thanks.

[Bill Adams]

Yes, it can be painted. Yes, it will likely effect performance. However, if you are very careful, make absolutely certain that there is NO metallic in the paint, and only paint it with just enough to show the color, it might not have too much effect.
Personally, I don't recommend that anyone do this if they like watching TV, but it can be done with mostly acceptable results.

[Wayne M]

Look at this link

You can search on "antenna paint" without the quotes and get a lot of hits.

[Bill Adams]

Don't confuse painting a dish (the link above) with painting a dome. Completely different rules apply.

[LindaH]

Personally, I would not paint a dome. I wouldn't want anything to interfer with the signal...and you're not going to know that until after it's painted...and by that time, it's too late.

[winegard]

Winegard Company does not recommend painting our domed satellite units.

[two-niner]

If you ever saw how tiny the dish is, inside the dome, you would never ask.
Think painting your reading glasses.

[steelheadbluesman]

Interesting question -- I'm pretty sure I've seen painted domes on newer rigs that have body paint on the roof that matches the sides.... And, it seems that I've seen black domes at CW, back when I was buying my kingdome, but then colored plastic is different than paint, right? Winegard's answer would be all I need to make this decision. My 2 cents....

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelheadbluesman Interesting question -- I'm pretty sure I've seen painted domes on newer rigs that have body paint on the roof that matches the sides.... And, it seems that I've seen black domes at CW, back when I was buying my kingdome, but then colored plastic is different than paint, right? Winegard's answer would be all I need to make this decision. My 2 cents....

Five-six years ago some dude mentioned that he had painted his dome with silver paint to reduce heat in the dome. He also commented that he couldn't seem to get a sat. sig. since then. I am sure it was Homer Simpson. D'oh!

[steelheadbluesman]

So, Hamguy, you figure Homer somehow got a complaint from his little dish that it was just too damn hot in there?? I mean, why would a guy paint a white dome to reduce heat?? This can't be true. Like I said earlier, Winegard's post (Don't do it) would be enough for me. If it comes down to looking good or working right, I'll take working right every time...

[Max Hubrich]

My KVH dome was cracked, and taped over, when I bought the rig. I ordered a new dome from KVH. About $70-80 (I think). It came in a terrible color brown ( the color I ordered- they only listed the available colors). I repainted it with a closer color brown to the motor home colors, with no metallic paint in it. I received an average signal strength of 75% signal on Directv's 101 satellite- same as I had before with the original dome. The earlier comment on the small size of domed antenna's absolutely applies to signal strength. I personally think I always had a decent picture on my tv's, even with a signal as low as 60% (Directv- I think I've heard Dish TV uses higher percentage numbers)).

Point of interest-- Aircraft radomes (radar antenna units used primarily for weather avoidance situtations) are frequently sanded and repainted on corporate aircraft, even airliners, to match new paint color schemes, or from wear and tear. Been there, and done that too!

Same rule applies-- no Metallic's in the paint on the domes

[JWT]

In '05 I had the dealer paint my Kingdome top to match the color of the M/H. I believe it has metallic paint on it because it matches the main color which I know is metallic. I don't have trouble getting signals and I have Direct TV

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWT In '05 I had the dealer paint my Kingdome top to match the color of the M/H. I believe it has metallic paint on it because it matches the main color which I know is metallic. I don't have trouble getting signals and I have Direct TV

If the dealer has even a lick of sense then there is no metallic material in the paint on the dome.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelheadbluesman So, Hamguy, you figure Homer somehow got a complaint from his little dish that it was just too damn hot in there?? I mean, why would a guy paint a white dome to reduce heat?? This can't be true. Like I said earlier, Winegard's post (Don't do it) would be enough for me. If it comes down to looking good or working right, I'll take working right every time...

Apparently you are unaware that many domes are smoke-transparent. I have no clue why/how he knew/believed there was too much heat inside the dome. Come to Arizona in July sometime and stick your hand inside your dome. Let me know if you can cool your drink inside. You are apparently not aware that heat kills electronics, especially solid state.