Aluminum Dew shield?

I'm planning on making a dew shield using very light aluminum but I'm concerned that the metal surface would attract water drops to fall on the correcter plate. My question is are there any spray on stuff or something out there to prevent this or should I abandon the idea of using aluminum??

Hi,
I have a metal dew shield and drops of water falling onto the corrector plate is not an issue, it doesn't happen.
If you're really worried about it, then line the inside of the shield with something like black material.
Many wouldn't bother making a metal shield, it can be heavy and hard to balance. I use a GEG on my scope so it balances my metal shield.

Jonathan, if balance is not an issue, then there should be no problem, as Dave says, something black like black matt paint inside will work quite well.

Keith..

A question about dew shields if i may?

Is the amount of light gathered by the scope reduced if you observe with the dew shield on?....................if you take it off will it allow more light in?

Stupid question maybe but i've always wondered.

A question about dew shields if i may?

Is the amount of light gathered by the scope reduced if you observe with the dew shield on?....................if you take it off will it allow more light in?

Stupid question maybe but i've always wondered.

Unless it's a badly made due shield, no. Only light coming straight into the telescope is actually seen through the eye piece so extending the tube makes no difference.

Bart.

Paul,
Light is not blocked by a good dew shield, most people have the length 1.5 times the aperture diameter. If the shield sags, like one of my plastic ones did (that's why I use metal on the 12" now), then it will certainly block light.