Protostar Flocking

[peter_4059]

Just wondering if anyone has had any recent dealings with Protostar in the USA. I ordered (and paid for) some flocking sheets back at the start of April and haven't heard from them since despite multiple email attempts and phone calls.

Just wondering if they are still in business (their online order system still happily takes your money).

If I don't hear anything I guess I'll have to go through the dispute process with Paypal.

Peter.

[Allan]

I bought flocking from them last year and the process was seamless for me, but I appear to be the exception. There is a thread on CN about Protostar with some un-flattering comments. I think it's a side business that doesn't get the attention it needs which means long, frustrating delays are the norm.

[peter_4059]

Interesting reading...
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/460520-has-protostar-become-a-fraudulent-company/
guess I'll just have to wait.

[killswitch]

Bummer.. ordered from them 2 weeks ago. Lucky it was just a small quantity of flockboard for a refractor hood.

[peter_4059]

Update - Still no response from them - approaching a month since I placed the order. Planning to escalate to a Paypal dispute this time tomorrow. Shame!

[miker]

I hope you get sorted with Protostar.

I have recently purchased self adhesive Flocking Material from this company and they were very good to deal with.

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_flok.htm

I know it is not exactly what you were after but might be worth considering.


Michael

[killswitch]

Got a USPS shipping notification from Protostar this morning. They are alive after all.

[peter_4059]

I got a full refund this morning via Paypal

[LewisM]

I am still waiting for a response from my Spanish motor board supplier... not even a simple email... over a month.

[peter_4059]

I ended up going with this:

http://www.bunnings.com.au/felt-adhesive-roll-450mmx1m-black-213408_p3970145

Very black, not shiny, not particularly hairy and very well priced.

[troypiggo]

Sorry to hear about the Protostar experience/service going south :(

[Eden]

Depending on the application, an alternative to flocking paper/board is Fidelio 1000 Black velvet. Although a bit more fiddly with respect to installation, it absorbs about 30% more light than the Protostar flocking and doesn't shed fibers like some velvets and velours so.

[sn1987a]

I have dealt with Protostar in the past and they've always been very good. I love the quality of their gear. My most recent purchase about a year ago was a 12 meter bolt of flocking ( I figured I might as well get a lifetime supply ) it took about a month or so if I remember correctly. I have waited a lot longer for gear from other vendors.

[miker]

Where did you get this product from? Sounds interesting

Michael

[peter_4059]

I'm sure they have great products and I have also waited long periods for other gear however in this case it is not the wait - it is their lack of communication. It would have taken them 2 minutes to send an email however in my case they chose not to do that. Strange way to do business in my opinion.

[killswitch]

The flockboard arrived today after 4 weeks or so.

The board is pretty neat stuff. Measured it and they gave me 2" extra.

[astroboof]

Hi Peter,
Cheers for the heads up on this, snapped up some rolls a few weeks ago at $7/roll and it applied very well to an 8" gso tube today. Might throw the stuff into Meru's 5" achro soon also, the self adhesive backing seemed very keen and evenly spread.

As long as it stays put for years, it's a bargain! :)

[Jaeger]

Looks good! How many rolls would you need for an 8" GSO tube?
How easy is it to apply/remove (for dummies)?

(Would like to buy the Flockboard, but no thanks; been there, done that.)

Cheers!

[axle01]

I ordered a piece of the .040" from Protostar and after a month they refunded my money saying they had no stock and it would be a few weeks before they would have it.

I have asked to be notified when they get it in but no response.

I wonder where else you could get it.

Alan

[traveller]

Not ideal, but works
http://www.bunnings.com.au/felt-adhesive-roll-450mmx1m-black-213408_p3970145

[peter_4059]

This is a good alternative to Protostar:
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_flok.htm

[axle01]

They canceled my first order for the .040 size so I reordered a 30" x 26" x .020, let's see if I get this order processed.

[astroboof]

Well I can't exactly remember if one did the job, or we needed a second roll. Best buy two anyway, it's only $5.99 per roll and it always will find other uses about the hobby or home.

I haven't got to road test the 8"f5 much since the overhaul, but did view Saturn at opposition, and the ever present moon, Jup plus some bright glossy's, and it cleaned up the viewing image noticeably through the EP's, enough to be happy I made the effort.

It easiest done with two people for sure, roll the stuff onto a long stick, put the stick through the tube and remove the backing paper incrementally as you go, we had an overlap in the middle of the tube, but no worries, it will apply to it's own felt and has not unstuck yet. Preperation is the key to good adhesion, apply prepsol/wax and grease remover on the tube surfaces with a clean rag first, and let it dry thoroughly.

Not bad, the old GSO Newts, but the black paint they use is particularly crapulent.