Spraying Glass Bow Finishes

[Jerry Gille]

I need to ramp up my finishing techniques for glass bows.  I've got a junk, cheapo spray gun that I've been using with Thunderbird epoxy.  To say I'm terrible with it would be an understatement.

Looking for advice on spraying equipment and techniques for Thunderbird expoxy applications please.

Thanks!

Jerry

[elkslayer]

Buying a nice gravity fed gun will help alot. Even a nice "touch up" gun Little smaller than regular will work great and cost much less. Also most important is a good water filter. People have no clue how much water comes out the end of a compressor. I even would recommend a up hill run of pipe with a water filter at the top and bottom to catch most of it. When water mixes with what ever you spray it will always come out like crap.

[TimZeigler]

I have a good article about brushing on Thunderbird.  Let me know if you want an e-copy.

[Apex Predator]

I just bought a single action Paashce airbrush to spray Fullerplast.  I am very happy with it.  I would think that the Thunderbird would spray close to the same.  I spray about 1 oz per each finish coat.

[Jerry Gille]

Thanks for the responses so far.  I have a water filter installed now, and agree that it's important.  A small touch up gun is exactly what I was interested in buying too.

Tim, I'd like a copy please.  Email to [email protected].  Thanks!

I was thinking about buying an air brush too.  That my wife and kids could play with it too.

Thanks all.

[kennym]

Hey Jerry,
Hows the bowbuildin? Are ya still after the squirrel population?

[Jerry Gille]

Hi Kenny,

I finished out a d/r bow for my buddy.  It turned out nice.  He head shot a grey squirrel with it Sunday morning while we were out at a local state park squirrel hunting as a matter of fact.  Built a 66" reflexed longbow for myself after that.  A little more sanding and I'm ready to start finishing it.  I built this one with the walnut I bought while up there with you.  Had some black glass laying around so I put it under that.  Osage handle and tip overlays.  It's turned out nice so far.  Built it with 3 .002 tapers and 1 parallel lam that I ground out with that Grizzly drum sander.  Should have bought one of those a long time ago.  Got some of that red elm ground out and butted together ready to go for a d/r bow I'm donating to the United Bowhunters of Illinois banquet in Feb.  Nice sander.  Also got two kids longbows glued up and roughed out.  Going to donate one to the UBI and give the other away to some kid.

14 squirrels (9 fox and 5 greys) have been brought to bag so far this season.  This cooler weather has really got me excited about the upcoming weekend.  Arrow supply is holding strong, and I'm ready for the action to pick up.

Your deer season opens up soon.  Good luck.  Take care Kenny.

[kennym]

Wow,ya been busy!! I was gonna ask if you tried the sander out,sounds like mass production!!

 I gotta get the elk hunt outta the way,then concentrate on whitetails!

[Jerry Gille]

Tim,

Finished a longbow out over the weekend and I brushed on Thunderbird per the article you sent me.  That worked pretty well actually.  Very time consuming, but I think I really like that hand rubbed finish.  Really conserves on that expensive Thunderbird finish too as you just don't use much without the overspray.

Thanks again for the suggestion and the article!

Kenny, I should have bought more wood when I met up with ya in northern Missouri!  Let me know when you're going back.  I might be interested in another road trip.  Good luck on the elk.

[SoNevada Archer]

Tim, I want a copy...Pm me with it if you don't want to post it!
Thanks...

[Holm-Made]

You will use 1/4 of the finish with an air brush that you will with a hvlp gun, even the small ones.  That has been my experiance.  

A lot of overspray and waste with the gun.  You also have to throw drop cloths over everything or the overspray makes a mess.  

The secret with an airbrush is you have to thin it more then the recommended amount to get it to flow threw the brush.  Chad

[kennym]

Dang Jerry,just went Fri.

[edy5dms]

Originally posted by TimZeigler:
I have a good article about brushing on Thunderbird.  Let me know if you want an e-copy.

Hi Tim, I would like to have a copy of the Article. I posted a question on finishing just yesterday and your article might be a good addition to the responses I got by the looks of Jerrys reply.

My email [email protected]

Thanks in advance

[Jerry Gille]

That figures Kenny!  I'll catch up with ya sometime over there again.  Take care.

Chad, thanks for the tips on the air brush.  I might give that a try sometime too.