The how to spray finish on a bow thread

[Pheonixarcher]

There are always questions about spraying finish on a bow. I wish I was really good at it and could do a tutorial about it. But, since I struggle with it just as much (or more) than the next guy, how about a thread where everyone explains their methods of spraying finish?

I really don't know all that much about it yet, and don't have my own process nailed down. So I am hoping that the more seasoned vets, and the pros will chime in here, and help all us struggling amateur bowyers.

Please try and describe your preferred methods in detail. Include what brand of spray you use, how you mix it for best results, the type of spray gun used, the tip size, the number of coats and the time between coats, things you learned the hard way, mistakes to avoid, etc. Also, a description of how you hang or support your bow while you are spraying it. And as always, pictures are encouraged.  

I hope that this thread builds to be a complete how to guide on spraying finish on bows, and that we all can learn new and better ways of doing this.

[Pheonixarcher]

Nobody wants to share their knowledge?

One thing that I recently learned about thunderbird high solids sealer; while it does work well and is fairly easy to apply, it does not leave darker woods the same color as thunderbird gloss. I had a riser that was sealed, sanded and ready for finish, that ended up with orange peel in the gloss and a couple small runs. After I sanded the riser back down, I managed to sand down to bare wood in a couple small places. After I re-applied the first coat of gloss, those bare wood spots were darker than the rest of the riser. Not too terrible, but definitely noticeable.

[Mad Max]

I'am having trouble too.
I need a new gun too.

If it orange peels (is bumpy)you need more thinner
I posted a "what size is your gun tip" 1.4mm/ for most people.

drill a hole under the strike plate for 1/8" dowel rod (wood), drill a hole in a small piece of wood 3/8" square .080-.100 thick, super glue rod (about 1-1/2" long then glue small block on the other end. the riser hole will be covered with leather will cover it up.  tooth picks can break, and you bow is laying on the floor            

I will post a pitcher

above  the arrow rest

   

[Wolftrail]

I dont have a pic but what I do is hang the bow about 7' high on a hook from the garage door, I made a loop from a string about 3" long which is tight enough to go around the string nock, with a metal hook on it.  I can spray the bow from all angles.  I flip the bow end-o every coat. I do this at least 4 times. Easy peasy.  
   

PS. Mark do it my way then you will not need to drill a hole.

[Krasus]

I use minwax polyurethane fast dry. Recoat in 1 hour. I do 6 coats.sanding in between. Hang and flip. I also use a wood conditioner before I start but only on exposed wood. Not the glass.

[canopyboy]

I've taken to spraying both limbs while holding the bow in my left hand, allowing me to position it ideally for each surface and have perfect light to judge thickness of coat, etc. Then I quickly hang it from the string nock on a piece of wire and finish the riser area while the finish edges are still wet. I seem to get a more consistent finish on the limbs without runs this way.

I've been using Krystal with a 1.4 tip for this. I only do 3 coats generally as the manufacturer lists that as a maximum (not sure why.) I flip end to end between coats, never seem to have any notable effects in the string nock area from the wire.

[mikkekeswick]

I do exactly as Canopyboy.