question on reflex on ash selfbow?

[tah-gah-jute]

was thinking about trying 1st time ,putting reflex in bow.it's white ash.was wondering if heat(with grease or oil) or steam works better.i do have a heat gun,but don't have a set-up for steaming.was also thinking about putting cherry bark on back,really just for a camo effect.didn't think it would effect tillering?was planning on putting on bark after reflexing and before cutting nocks in bow.any advice would be much appreciated,thanks

[Pat B]

White woods like ash do well when the belly is tempered. Clamp the bow to a reflex form and with your heat gun(no oil) scorch the belly to a chocolate brown, a few inches at a time. Be careful not to scorch the back. After the entire belly is tempered let the bow rest in the form for a few days at least to allow the wood to rehydrate from the tempering. This will increase the compression strength of the belly as well help it hold the added reflex.
   Marc St Louis wrote a chapter in TBBIV about tempering(heat treating) bows. Lots of good info there. He also wrote an article for PA Magazine about the same a few years ago.