how should I finish? sinew backed maple selfbow

[chuprinko]

Ok, looking for some input and assistance.  
This is my first sinew backed bow.  It is a maple stave, slight recurved tips with heat. Has some bumps, curves and dips that were a challenge.  It was my first (and possibly last) time adding sinew. I used hide glue, what a sticky, smelly challenge.  I had the sinew much to thin, which made it a long long job.  Anyway, it is now dry and pulling about 55#. It's about 2" at fades down to 3/8" at tips.
So looking for thoughts on backing or protecting it.  I have true oil, linen cloth backing, spray poly, smooth-on, so which should I use?  I'm in New Jersey so heat and humidity are factors. I may stain it to make it darker for hunting. (no-this is not my place, worked on it while on vacation - WISH it was!)

Thanks in advance, learned a lot from everyone on here.

Neil

back with sinew down
 
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[Crimson mist]

Nice Job!
I get pretty good results with gloss spar varnish. I try to stay better brands, Jamestown has some very expensive stuff but McCloskey Manowar red label works great and isn't too expensive. I tend put some in a separate container and thin it some.
Humidity has been high here so I have been adding a little japan dryer which helps a lot. You can also make it a rubbing varnish by thinning down 20% or so and rubbing on with a lint free rag which keeps you from dealing with runs. Five coats with a little sanding between with 320 and a couple of coats of wax. You also steel wool the final finish for hunting.

[Pat B]

Snake skins add not only beauty to a bow but moisture protection to a sinew backed bow. You can use Tru-Oil over the skins or just over the sinew backing.
 This is what I use. First the snake skin(fish skins too)then about 5 or 6 coats of Tru-Oil with 0000 steel wool rubbing between coats. When the Tru-Oil has cured out well I'll put a quick spray of satin poly over the bow to cut the shine of the Tru-Oil. It doesn't take much.

[chuprinko]

thanks for the replies.  I might just use the tru-oil then poly or spar.  I have the fake-cloth snake skin, but it is white and black print, so not ideal for hunting. I wish I could afford real snake skins, maybe for some future bow..  It's been a challenge and hope to have it ready for the fall season.

[Pat B]

You can stain the sinew back or paint it with acrylic paint.

[chuprinko]

thanks for the replies.  I might just use the tru-oil then poly or spar.  I have the fake-cloth snake skin, but it is white and black print, so not ideal for hunting. I wish I could afford real snake skins, maybe for some future bow..  It's been a challenge and hope to have it ready for the fall season.

[awishanew]

I used tru-oil and have had great results. I also live on the WET coast of Canada, so if it stands up to that its pretty good.

[awishanew]

I used tru-oil and have had great results. I also live on the WET coast of Canada, so if it stands up to that its pretty good.

[awishanew]

I used tru-oil and have had great results. I also live on the WET coast of Canada, so if it stands up to that its pretty good.

[awishanew]

I used tru-oil and have had great results. I also live on the WET coast of Canada, so if it stands up to that its pretty good.