Finish for osage bow?

[snag]

I was reading Trad. Bowyer's Bible Vol. 1 and John Strunk recommends using a spray on varathane made by Flecto called "Gloss 90"...? Anyone know where you can find this? Is this the same as the spray on made by Varathane spar urethane? Thanks, David

[coaster500]

Snag are you sure it was 90 and not 900

(VARATHANE 900 PROFESSIONAL GLOSS POLYURETHANE)

 

[frank bullitt]

Snag, use to be able to get it a Lowes here.

You may have to try a specialty paint store, or search their site for a dealer near u!

[frank bullitt]

Oh, and remember this was 20 years ago, companies change finishes, do to certain factors.

May be similar product, under new name!

[snag]

I did some research and Flecto was bought by Rustoleum.

Coaster, it definitely reads "90 Gloss"...even with my glasses on!

[dmikeyj]

I did a search for Flecto gloss 90, and this was the first result:

 http://www.pacoa.com/flecto-90-clear-gloss-varathane-9041.html

[Eric Krewson]

These types of recommendations seldom have merit worth a search.

A can of Spar urethane from Walmart will work just as well if not better.

Tru-oil gunstock finish makes a nice finish on a bow.

Epoxy acetone(Massey finish) is probably the most durable. You can do a search and find a bunch of threads on how to mix it up.

[snag]

Eric, are you referring to the recommendation by John Strunk? If so, I think I'll take a recommendation from this bowyer anytime!

[Eric Krewson]

I have put finish on 138 bows so far, I know a little about bow finishes. One is not that much better an another. Spar is a wood boat finish, pretty good stuff.

John makes great bows and I am sure he is just like the rest of us, we all get a pet finish and stick with it not because it is superior to other finishes but it is just what we happen to use.

If you want the best possible finish on your bow use about 6 coats epoxy acetone and dull the shine with a couple coats of satin spar urethane.

In one of his books Jay Massey said he dropped a sinew backed hickory bow in an Alaskan river, recovered it two weeks later and found it shot just as well after a couple weeks in the river as it did when he lost it. It had been sealed with epoxy acetone.

After years of using the same finish on my personal bows as well as my arrows I find it to be the best.

[frank bullitt]

Well, I agree some with Eric, and Jay was great!

But the wood, as much as the finish, play a part!

With osage, I'm not as choosy! With whitewoods, elm, ash, etc, yes! Osage has an inherit protection within it's makeup. Why it's so resistant, and  worthy for bows!

And yes, it was "gloss 90" as stated in the BB1, chapter, Finishes and Handles, pg 290.

[snag]

It rains a lot here in Oregon for our late deer season. Just trying to figure out how to protect this bow the best for hunting in these conditions. Might have to mix up some epoxy/acetone to do a tester.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Check out Zip Gaurd floor finish. I have a few friends that build and sell selfbows who swear by it. One DIP and the bows are sealed from foul weather. I have seen their bows and they look impervious and thick to me. I think its about $45 gallon. That would do many bows.

[Jim Dahlberg]

X2 what Eric says about Jay's finish.  I use it on all bows and arrows that I make.  

It's been very effective in all types of weather conditions from Alaska to Texas.
 
 A "ding" can be re-covered very easily without disturbing the rest of the finish.

Won't use anything else.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

heres a good link on the massey finish Snag

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=006942#000000

[George Tsoukalas]

I like to seal the pores on osage so I give it 3 or more coats or Tru Oil to seal them up. I follow that with 3 coats of spar urethane spray. Jawge

[Roy from Pa]

Jawge, why wouldn't just the spar seal the Osage?

[George Tsoukalas]

Roy, the Tru Oil fills up the pores in the wood so those little feathery lines get filled in. Tru Oil never waterproofed enough to make me happy. I'd just use that but I like the weatherproofing from the rain that the spar affords so I give it 3 coats off that. Jawge

[Roy from Pa]

Ok, thanks ole boy..

[snag]

Thanks Stiks!