Helmsman spar urethane

[bowhuntingrn]

I'm using Helmsman for the first time today to put a finish on a U finish bow. My question is how long does the finish need to cure before I can shoot it? I've been working on the bow off and on for a little over a week now and I'm pretty anxious to shoot it, but I don't want to mess it up by jumping the gun. Thanks, Cory

[Robertfishes]

I spray bows in my shop in a 8 x 10 room with filters and exhaust fans, I turn fans off after spraying.. I also turn a dehimidifier on and keep it on for atleast 8 hours, the dehumidifier keeps tne room dry and hot.. I wait about 24 hours to shoot, dry time depends on temperature and humidity here in Florida. I sprayed a bow outside once on a dry hot day, it dryed in a few hours but I still let it cure overnight before shooting..the can says to wait 72 hours?

[Igor]

I've never waited more than the 72 hours and usually about 48....with no issues....


><>>

Glenn

[bowhuntingrn]

The can says if you can't recoat within 1.5 hrs wait 72 and then lightly sand before recoating. I'm in N. Texas and it's plenty warm (80's to low 90's), but the humidity is a little higher than suggested. I figured at least 24 hrs. Guess it wouldn't hurt to give it an extra day. In the grand scheme of things, it's not long to wait, but I've never been known for my patience ;b Thanks guys.

[Glunt]

I'm impatient as well but I live in Colorado with low humidity.  24 hours is fine out here but I try to ignore it for 72 hours...usually cave in sooner.  I have noticed that some air flow really speeds up things but you have to keep it dust-free.

[Robertfishes]

With the dehumidifier on I only wait 15-20 minutes between coats..I got my current dehumidifier at a yard sale for $20,the first one cost me $30, they both will freeze up and becomes useless when the shop is colder than 60 or 65 degrees so I run a heater first to warm up the room on the cool days..

[Robertfishes]

I tried to sand out a run one time, I waited 3 days like the can said.. the finish was dry to the touch but I quickly found out that it was not "hard enough" to sand. I now wait a couple of weeks to sand if I need to "fix a spot" no matter how many bows I have I always want to shoot the newest one ASAP

[Adam Keiper]

I use Helmsman on most of my bows (typically 6-7 light coats gloss, topped off with 2 coats satin).  I've found that even though the last coat of finish may "feel" dry after half a day, it is still actually soft and will imprint the bowstring (and otherwise dent) if braced too soon.  So, no matter how anxious I am to shoot a new bow, I give it at least one week after spraying the last coat.

[BWD]

I normally spray on about 5-6 light coats, about 30 minutes apart, then wait 3 days to string it up. Dry is one thing...cured is another.

[bowhuntingrn]

I ended up putting 4 coats over Tru oil. I had put one coat of the Tru oil over the entire bow (red oak riser, maple limbs, black glass back and belly) and a second coat over the "exposed" wood of the riser. The Tru oil dried/cured for 2 days before starting the helmsman. I let it sit for a full 4 days after the helmsman before I just couldn't stand it any more and strung it up. Seems to have done well with no noticeable "dings" or defects in the finish after shooting. Thanks for all the replies. Cory

[George Tsoukalas]

I wait 24 hours before shooting the bow. Jawge