Streaks in glass

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

What causes streaks in clear glass. I know it is not glue starved because I had plenty of squeeze out. Is it something with the strip of glass?

 

[Al Dean]

defect in glass or contamination of one of your surfaces.

[canopyboy]

Welcome to the club. It's in the glass and it seems like it's affecting more an more people all the time.

I'm curious what part of the manufacturing process at Gordon's contributes to this? Are the filaments themselves of inferior clarity? Is the infusion of the resin in such a low ratio to the glass causing less than uniform saturation?

[Robertfishes]

Its inside the glass. I have seen clear glass with streaks similar to that in a $1000 dollar bow I bought in 2007. I started building my own bows in 2009..it doesn't seem to affect bow performance or tiller I still use clear glass. I buy more than I need and sort thru it..I shine a flash light and a black light flashlight thru each piece..its not perfect and some streaks have got past me but I'm trying..

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

Good to know guys. This is the first time I had some major streaks in it. Looks like some may clear up with the finish on it but there are a couple that stand out and drive me up the wall.

On a side note... This bow shoots awesome! I can't wait to get it finished and get into the woods with it!

[Wagstaff]

I'm sure its a gut check after all the work you put into your bow.. But, if you like how it shoots, you have a success!..

[leftyfred]

One method that has been successfully used to hide streaks is, after the glass has been lightly sanded, cover the streak with a sharpie of the same background color, this may take more than one color sharpie to achieve the color desired (brown and red, green, black) many different colored sharpies out there.  When it dries, use an alcohol saturated q-tip to clean the sharpie off.  This may require more than one application.  The alcohol tends to stain the glass using the sharpie as a dye.  It's not perfect, but better than looking at the streak.  Gordon's did have a good period for almost 20 months with little or no defect, but this spring it all came back to haunt us.  The streaking I am told is due to lack of material or "dry" spots during the manufacturing process.  When the fiberglass is fully saturated, there are no defects.  Hope this helps,  LF

[Robertfishes]

Thanks for the tip Lefty. I tried the sharpies but didnt wipe with alcohol to blend it in.

[kennym]

One of the worst things in bowbuilding! Wish I had an answer, but sounds like John has something to consider there!

[monkeyball]

# 1 reason I like colored glass. Fancy veneers are real pretty to look at, but only under crystal clear glass for me....


                                     Good Shooting,
                                                      Craig

[Mike Mecredy]

I tried the clear glass made by Bear paw, I got it from Kumstom King, and some from Old Master Crafter, and it had that effect in it. I have seen it with Gordon's glass from Bingham's as well but not nearly as bad, and as long as I use the Gordon's UL glass from Bingham's I seldom get that.  Also if less prevalent in the thin UL glass like .040 or less.  

I've also seen streaks in the black glass made by bear paw as well.  The glass performs great, but it has random lines.

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

As long as the glass isn't affected then I'm ok with it. It's ugly but I got a little heavy handed with the rasp shaping and took a chunk out of the riser... It's an ugly bow but again seems to shoot like a dream and it really likes cedar arrows. I can name it ugly stick... It's a performer and it's only gonna get banged up out in the woods. I don't just hang these things up or act extra careful with my bows. It's still great no matter what!

[JamesV]

Until there is some competition the quality of the second rate glass will only get worse.

[bornofmud]

Yeah, it's frustrating.  I believe I read on here before that bowyers have tried contacting Gordon's about it, and basically were told that they don't make enough money from the glass to make it worth it to upgrade their old tooling.  Colored glass doesn't have the defect, but I find plastic a lot less satisfying to look at than a nice veneer.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the effect is a lot less noticeable on lighter veneers.  But yes, so far I believe it has only been a cosmetic issue.

[MoeM]

I`d recommend glass by excel composites- the sample they sent me is so streaky one can think it`s kind of metallic effect like in a car`s polish...LOL

[Roy from Pa]

Use the wood lams I sent ya.  

[MoeM]

No kidding I`m thinking about turning towards all natural bows in the future- no worries about glass quality and fibres in my shop (and lungs)....

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

I just got to fit the riser than I'll be hammering that bow Roy

[Roy from Pa]

Atta boy.