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[KD8ZXU]

Hello all.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, I want to punch a hole in my 2017 Jeep Patriot for a NMO mount. Primer then paint or is primer sufficient. Jeeps are know for rusting.
Thanks all
Mitch KD8ZXU

[K7AAT]

Don't understand your question.  What has primer and paint got to do with a NMO antenna mount?

[K0UA]

He means the edge of the hole where the holesaw went thru the sheetmetal.  Here is what I do. First I put a good magnet inside of a "baggie" to catch the metal filings. The metal filings if left on the paint will rust and cause spotting. As for the edge of the hole, I take a Q tip dipped in No-Ox-Id and run it around the edge of the hole. Quick and easy and will never rust. I treat any screw in L bracket mounts with it also. Also any screws thru the carpet into the floor sheet metal. They will never rust/corrode.

https://www.amazon.com/NO-OX-ID-Special-Electrical-Contact-Corrosion/dp/B00HDF9EXE/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3RG4OOV0EE8WS&keywords=no-ox-id+a-special-+electrical+contact+grease&qid=1653693942&sprefix=no-ox-id%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-3

[K7AAT]

Interesting.   Over 30+ years of installing and repairs I never saw any signs of rust.... but then again, a properly installed NMO's rubber grommet keeps any moisture out.   

[K0UA]

Interesting.   Over 30+ years of installing and repairs I never saw any signs of rust.... but then again, a properly installed NMO's rubber grommet keeps any moisture out.

True enough, and I have installed hundreds of thru hole mounts without treating the edge of the hole, but for my own, I do the added measure of treating the raw steel to the protection. For all of the police cars and fire-trucks etc. I installed, I am not sure what they looked like 20 years later.   I do know that screws run into transmission humps rust and break off over time if not treated. and I have taken them out years later when treated to No-Ox-Id and they look as pristine as the day I ran them in, even being exposed to water/salt and grime.

[N8AUC]

Interesting.   Over 30+ years of installing and repairs I never saw any signs of rust.... but then again, a properly installed NMO's rubber grommet keeps any moisture out.

Exactly this.
I've drilled holes in the roof of the last 4 cars I've owned for an NMO mount.
In fact, a new car isn't mine until it has one.
Never had a leak. Because there are 2 rubber grommets that come with the NMO mount.
One goes on the inside of the hole, the other goes on the outside of the hole.
Installed properly, they do not leak.

[KD8ZXU]

Thank you James. Very sound advice. Yes, the rubber grommet will keep out rain. But there is moisture  inside automobiles. Condensation and raw sheet metal start a very nasty chemical reaction know as rust. Nothing wrong with doing the job right the first time.

Thanks again K0UA. Very much appreciated.

Mitch Grant
KD8ZXU

[K0UA]

Thank you James. Very sound advice. Yes, the rubber grommet will keep out rain. But there is moisture  inside automobiles. Condensation and raw sheet metal start a very nasty chemical reaction know as rust. Nothing wrong with doing the job right the first time.

Thanks again K0UA. Very much appreciated.

Mitch Grant
KD8ZXU

Your very welcome.  I know I sound like the "pitchman" for that No-Ox-Id stuff, as I seem to pitch it all the time, but I have been using it for decades and it has never let me down. I got on to it at work where it was sent to coat battery terminals in stationary battery plants for PBX's. There was always left over amounts after the stationary battery's were protected and I started taking it home and started to use it in my installations. Of course it works wonderfully for the purpose of protecting battery terminals and hardware, and you can be sure I use it every time I get a new vehicle of any kind. A good coating of it on battery terminals covering up any bare metal on the terminals and cable ends will insure you will never see the green/white grunge ever again in your lifetime. My decades of experience with the product have all been positive, so yeah, I am "sold" on it.

[K6LCS]

>> ... 2017 Patriot ...

Drilling that hole means you loose your roof rack capability.

At only 1/3 of 1db "loss," a quality lip mount on the rear-driver's side door with
this antenna will provide excellent results on 2m/440 ... assuming those are
the bands you want. Just mount on top edge, or along upright edge, just so that
at east one-half of the mast clears the roofline.