Protecting polymers from UV damage

[Pete]

Have several antenna parts made of polymers and after a few years of exposure of daily UV appear to have surface porosity. Also the actual antennas these days seem to develop surface texture over time from UV. My question is two fold. On new items, before UV exposure for a while and still having smooth surfaces, is there a product that will prolong the surface life, and second on parts that have developed porosity is there a recommendation on how to slow this down and treat the surface for a better appearance?

Pete

 

[SEVEN]

I switched mine to the urethane finished antennas. They really hold up against UV. I also just as a added step of protection wax them 4 times a year. These are a little pricey but worth the longevity.

 

[doc g]

sand and awlgrip them , easy and maintenance free.....Pat

 

[SEVEN]

Wear a dust mask to keep that fiber out of your lungs. And good gloves those fibers stick you quickly.

 

[Glory]

sand and awlgrip them , easy and maintenance free.....Pat

Ditto!

 

[theomar]

You can also paint it with a goodepoxyy paint and apply wax on a regular basis.

 

[rsmith]

I paint the exposed PVC water pipes on my dock and around the house with spray bomb paint for plastic furniture seems to hold up pretty well and keeps the pvc from getting brittle in the sun. A lot cheaper and easier than alwgrip

 

[Tim Powell]

I though i was the only one having issues. Mine run down on the black accent stripe and the windows it really creates a eye sore.
I have begun using (insulator wax and cleaner) has helped. I let them down just takes a few min. (my neighbor painted his with clear verdict still out) The issue is the stand off it has a black ring that is two part in spite of all it will seporate
and go swimming it floats so i keep the net close. The real issue is the black stripe cracking from the sun heat on Port side. No problem starboard side. I have tried almost all waxes and protectors still cracking.
Just one cure sand and paint every year. Suggestions welcome.

 

[Cricket]

Paint out the stripes with whatever white the boat is painted with.
The heat absorbed by the black paint is making the frp layup expand etc which is why it's cracking.
Wouldn't be surprised if there's some separation of the glass from the core, or fillers, or etc after years of daily heat cycles.
Had a friend spend A LOT of money at the best yards trying to keep the black mask looking perfect on the cabin front. He finally gave up, it's now white.

 

[Tim Powell]

Paint out the stripes with whatever white the boat is painted with.
The heat absorbed by the black paint is making the frp layup expand etc which is why it's cracking.
Wouldn't be surprised if there's some separation of the glass from the core, or fillers, or etc after years of daily heat cycles.
Had a friend spend A LOT of money at the best yards trying to keep the black mask looking perfect on the cabin front. He finally gave up, it's now white.

I believe Hatteras uses a glass type material on their mask it may be as simple as polly of some sort.The guys here were having the same problem year to year had to repaint the mask
may be the same stuff the windshild is made of. I took a close look at one i am sure it is a plasic material not paint. FYI. AS FOR ME MAYBE CHANGE THE ACENT STRIPED TO RED.