Question about antennas and paint

Now, am I correct in assuming that if I wnat to paint the boom on my XG-91, that it will not interefere with anything? I know, obviously not to get ANYTHIING on the elements... but the boom serves no electrical function on an antenna, does it?

On that particular antenna they are called directors and yes - they are not physically connected to each other, so the advice I will give is that it is ok to paint it as long as you do not use any paint that has metal oxides or metal in the paint.

I believe that the XG 91 has a all aluminum boom, but I have not put one together for a while so I couldn't be definite on that one.

I paint the mast pipe and I put a piece of tape around the top of the pipe and then I tape the tape with electrical tape to keep the water out of the mast pipe.

There shouldn't be any corrosion issues with the XG 91 - because the only thing that could corrode is the screws that holds the clips to the boom and the screws that holds the 3 sections of the boom together.

You will have more problems getting the little black plastic clips on the bottom of the directors after they are snapped on the boom then anything else.

The clips have a habit of breaking when you try to get them to spread.

What I am wondering is if the little bit of paint you are going to put on the boom is going to make it harder to get the directors clipped to the boom? They are a very tight fit!

It's already put together... I'm just painting to "U" bracket aqssembly and the boom in between the directors with the same forest green latex paint I use on the house. You'd be surprised how less obtrusive the antenna looks when it's a dark color that recedes form the eye (Although the directors will still be silver and shiny), so it's not for weather protection, just for appearance. Now the paint on the mast is for both appearance and protection. I still think some antenna company would do VERY WELL if they came out with a line of rooftop antennas that were anodized in a dark bronze or gun metal tone... it would make the "wife factor" much easier to deal with... I bet it would sell alot! I've put together a total of 5 XG-91's so far, and I've not had one clip break. It is kind of tough... but one just has to have a delicate touch, and luckily I have that.

I'd think light blue or grey blue would be better.