If you've only got access to red or black tip antennas they can look a bit 'out' on a radio.
This method lets you make them look stock again!
1, Keep a length of an old antenna's thickest and nex-thickest section around, or by eye work out what will look like the right tip size for your antenna, this is usually the easiest to have bits of as it's the thin ends that snap off.
2, Now cut a section of the thicker antenna rod just long enough to cover the tip, usually a centimetre or so. Use a dremel or equivalent disc cutting tool, they go through the antenna metal like a hot knife through butter, then sand down the edges if they're rough.
3, Pick up some epoxy putty. Over here Knead-It is an excellent brand. Stuff like Bondo. You want to mix up tiny amounts though, so have a look for one that you can just mix very small parts of each so you don't waste a lot.
4, Place the cut antenna sleeve over the antenna tip so it's nice and snug. The plastic tip may require a little bit of trimming to fit right. Get it nice and straight and then fill bot ends of the sleeve with the epoxy. Be carefull when putting the epoxy on the bottom section of antenna so that there isn't an excess that can spread onto the thinnest part of the antenna. Using a round toothpick to smooth it over is a good way to even top and bottom sections out.
5, When the epoxy has dried give it a bit of sand to make sure it's all smooth. The top flat part of the antenna can then either be coloured with a black marker (the epoxy putty will absorb the colour and be very permanent) or cut a small piece of aluminium foil and then super glue this onto the tip. Once the glue has dried trim the excess foil off with an exacto knife.
And your done! Brand new looking antennas!
I've done this method with Lego pieces too. The little round clylinder blocks work great, just need to cut the top lug off, then follow the rest of the procedure. This is how I did the pink tips on the Taira M90. The Lego piece method works beautifully for white or black tipped antennas too... just rummage through one of your kids Lego collection when they're not looking!
Good luck!!
Rock On.
This method lets you make them look stock again!
1, Keep a length of an old antenna's thickest and nex-thickest section around, or by eye work out what will look like the right tip size for your antenna, this is usually the easiest to have bits of as it's the thin ends that snap off.
2, Now cut a section of the thicker antenna rod just long enough to cover the tip, usually a centimetre or so. Use a dremel or equivalent disc cutting tool, they go through the antenna metal like a hot knife through butter, then sand down the edges if they're rough.
3, Pick up some epoxy putty. Over here Knead-It is an excellent brand. Stuff like Bondo. You want to mix up tiny amounts though, so have a look for one that you can just mix very small parts of each so you don't waste a lot.
4, Place the cut antenna sleeve over the antenna tip so it's nice and snug. The plastic tip may require a little bit of trimming to fit right. Get it nice and straight and then fill bot ends of the sleeve with the epoxy. Be carefull when putting the epoxy on the bottom section of antenna so that there isn't an excess that can spread onto the thinnest part of the antenna. Using a round toothpick to smooth it over is a good way to even top and bottom sections out.
5, When the epoxy has dried give it a bit of sand to make sure it's all smooth. The top flat part of the antenna can then either be coloured with a black marker (the epoxy putty will absorb the colour and be very permanent) or cut a small piece of aluminium foil and then super glue this onto the tip. Once the glue has dried trim the excess foil off with an exacto knife.
And your done! Brand new looking antennas!
I've done this method with Lego pieces too. The little round clylinder blocks work great, just need to cut the top lug off, then follow the rest of the procedure. This is how I did the pink tips on the Taira M90. The Lego piece method works beautifully for white or black tipped antennas too... just rummage through one of your kids Lego collection when they're not looking!
Good luck!!
Rock On.
