Flocking

[Okeydokey]

I'm in the process of building a dob and would like some advice on what materials you folk are using for flocking?  It's a rectangular 'tube' not yet assembled so should be a bit like wall papering...

Many thanks

[Astralstroll]

Using a decent matt black paint may also be an alternative, and maybe a lot easier to apply.

[Stevie P]

Try Here :-

http://www.wilko.com/fablon-adhesive-vinyl/d-c-fix-original-deco-self-adhesive-film-velour-black-348-0005/invt/0309578

Its the stuff I was advised to use, worked a treat..

[Cath]

I used the velour myself ..

http://www.wilko.com/dc-fix-fablon/d-c-fix-original-deco-self-adhesive-film-velour-black-348-0005/invt/0309578?VBMST=velour

[Naemeth]

I used the velour myself ..

http://www.wilko.com/dc-fix-fablon/d-c-fix-original-deco-self-adhesive-film-velour-black-348-0005/invt/0309578?VBMST=velour

This.

As it's rectangular it may be a bit more complicated to do, but definitely do-able (worth doing too ).

[jambouk]

I used the wilko stuff for my newtonian. Use a can of pledge to roll it around the inside, and a craft knife to pop any little bubbles.

Good luck.

James

[callump]

You don't really need to flock the whole tube - opposite the focuser and round the mirror end are probably the most important areas.

Callum

[Merlin]

I go along with Callum here that it isn't necessary to flock the whole tube. I placed a piece of Wilko's velum on the inner tube wall behind the focuser. The material has a short pile that's very effective at trapping and absorbing photons.

Most mass-produced reflectors have a main tube that's too short. I made a foot-long extension from a camping mat to fit the front end of the 8-inch Newt and lined it with velum.

[Dave_D]

anyone know the dimensions of each roll?

[JamesF]

anyone know the dimensions of each roll?

I believe it's the same as the stuff that FLO sell, in which case it's about 1m x 0.45m

James

[JamesF]

I believe it's the same as the stuff that FLO sell, in which case it's about 1m x 0.45m

James

And if you click on the "specifications" tab on the wilco site, it confirms this.

James

[astronymonkey]

I got the velour black in a 90cm width from vinyl depot. You can specify the length you want aswell.

http://www.vinyldepot.co.uk/magic/243-glossorange.html#/size-90cm_m

[estwing]

Yep the wilko went inside my old Starfinder very good

[Rustysplit]

The Wilkos/FLO stuff is also what I used in my old 200p and again in the UTA on my dob. The one thing I would say is that in the 200p, I did notice a little bit of fibre shedding. After a while there was a fine smattering of short black fluff on the primary. Apparently a quick spray with hairspray after fitting will stop this and seal it all together?? TBH, the shedding was never a problem, certainly did not affect the views at all.

[moriniboy]

Apparently a quick spray with hairspray after fitting will stop this and seal it all together.

Obviously this should be carried out before the primary and secondary mirrors have been re-installed 

[Cath]

I haven't done a full spectrum scan on the reflective properties of the velour, but I did do a quick test yesterday at 980nm (near IR) and did find it to be quite reflective at that wavelength. But it does seem to do well in the visible wavelengths, it has less reflectivity than the 'black' paint they seem to use on telescopes, so that's a plus for the velour in the visible band at least.