Radomes were originally made of fibreglass and covered the wx radar, and most importantly were sensitive to the thickness of the paint application - any greater than 12-15mils would reduce the radar efficiency from 90% down to 50-60% and worse with thicker paint. Part of the problem "back then" was the composition of the paint contained metallic salts and oxides that could impair the signal.
Due to both changes in the composition of the radome (now many are composites) and great improvements in paint technology, it is possible to paint the radome in the same color as the rest of the aircraft. It is still necessary to be careful with paint layer thickness, but the color issue is now largely solved.
When repainting a radome it is still generally necessary to remove the previous paint layers to ensure the signal remains unimpaired.
The comments regarding anti-glare are still correct for some aircraft, but that was perhaps more style than substance.
- GY
