Painting Lightbridge inside

[JimmyH155]

I read a thread recently that an improvement to the LB which has some white painted bits on the inside, is that they should be painted BLACK :sadeyes: to cut down on reflections. That seems like sacrilege to me - spoil that lovely looker??? Is the difference likely to be noticed by the average person? and what about those aluminised trusses? Paint them black on the inside also??
I always use a shroud round the outside of the truss, which is a camping mat wrapped around and tied in place. Isn't that enough?? Before I rush to the paint shop for some matt black paint, turps, sand paper, brush, masking tape, I would appreciate comments.....:shrug:

[astronut]

Hi Jimmy,
Yes, the rings should be black, the trusses can be left as is, they don't affect the light path.
About painting, DON'T. I tried it using all the proper techniques and still the paint chipped with use.
Have the rings powder coated matte black, it only cost me $40, no muss, no fuss, and after 4 months of use still not a scratch. Here is a picture of the rear cell.
Just look up Powder Coaters in your local yellow pages or the internet.:D

[JimmyH155]

Thanks for that, John - something to consider. Why have you had the bottom of the mirror box powder coated :shrug: - or did they just do everything whilst they were about it?

[astronut]

Jimmy, It was just easier to have the whole ring powder coated black.
If you want to keep the outer part of the rings white and the inside black, you can buy from Spotlight adhesive black felt. Just line the internal parts of the rings. John.:D

[JimmyH155]

Thanks for that, John. Wow! I never noticed all that white on the bottom. I guess that light coming in will reflect back up the tube and mess up the "good" light. Anyway, I went to Spotlight and got some black felt, and have done all those white rings. I just used contact cement. I am still debating how to do the bottom though. As you say, powder coating is really the go. :) :thumbsup: