sealing cresting...im lost

[Mark Colangelo]

I finally got what I believe is the right paint to start using my cresting jig, and realized the Valspar i ordered might not be the kind that was suggested to me. I also realized i had no idea how to use it. Can someone give me a brief idea of what exactly they use to seal their crests and how they apply it? Ive seen so much in other places online, but I trust yall way more!

[JakeD]

I use gasket lacquer.  After cresting, I just put 2 coats on it and it's good to go.  It's held up really well for me so far.

[Mark Colangelo]

the gasket lacquer doesnt mess with the cresting? do you paint it on with a brush or do u use the dip tube?

[Deno]

I've always  used a PVC dip tube with Min Wax water based Gloss after cresting. There are alot of different options that work well.  I've tried wipe on poly and rattle cans.  Dip and hang works best for me.

Deno

[BAK]

I have done my cresting with Testors paints for over 20 years.  To protect them I use water based poly applied with a small foam brush to the spinning shaft.

[Learner]

From what I've read, it you crest with acrylic (water based) paint, the lacquer shouldn't bother it.  I'll be trying that this week, so I'll let you know.

Lacquer will, however, smear oil based enamel.

Best wishes,
Frank

[Eric Krewson]

I use cheap acrylic craft paints for cresting. I used gasket lacquer for a number of years to seal my shafts and cover the cresting.

I found it to be brittle, not the least bit water resistant and difficult to get a consistent coat with. My gaskets never worked just right, I either had too much lacquer or not enough.

When I first started using it it was great stuff, later batches of it made it appear the quality had changed and the stuff would chip off the arrows.

Now I put a couple of coats of  Tru-Oil on my shafts with a rag, crest and put a few more coats of Tru-Oil on over the cresting. This makes for a nicely finished shaft with the cresting locked in place with no smearing.

[Tim Finley]

I dip mine in Zarr Poly and after cresting I spray the same Zarr from a spray can over my cresting.

[Orion]

Hmmmmm.  I seal my arrows with a couple coats of fletch lac, then crest with a lacquer.  I don't put anything over the cresting.

[JRY309]

I never have put anything over my cresting.In early building of wood arrows I used Bohning products.I would do a crown dip and then crest them,I did not see a reason to say seal them.

[David Mitchell]

Originally posted by Orion:
Hmmmmm.  I seamy arrows with a couple coats of fltech lac, then crest with a lacquer.  I don't put anything over the cresting.

Neither do I Orion.

[M60gunner]

I have pretty much settled on using MinWax waterbased Polycrillic to cover my cresting. It goes OVER everything I have used so far paint wise. I saw on Bohning website a clear for protecting your crest lines. Turned out to be waterbased poly. Six bucks I paid for that lesson.
May I suggest, do not get in a hurry. Just because it says an hour to dry it may need more time to cure.

[Terry Lightle]

True North paint then dip in spar urathane which is the third coat of spar.
Terry

[bucknut]

Watch Mike Vines video on arrow building. It is quite informational and will answer all your questions.

[crazynate]

I use a water based poly for sealing over my lacquer. It adds a nice gloss and protects the cresting from smearing. Spar urethane is good stuff too. And I agree totally with m60 gunner don't be in a hurry. Water based poly may feel dry to the touch but if you don't let it dry over night you'll get marks in it from your jigs. At least I do anyway. Then all that time is wasted because the set isn't perfect lol.

[Mark Colangelo]

lots of good direction...thanks guys!