Tru oil for shafts

[Rufus]

I read the thread with the tru oil question and have one of my own. Been building my arrows for 20+ years but have never used tru oil. How many coats? Will it work over a stain? Might try some as I need to get some anyway. If you have old antlers outside getting weather beaten, tru oil will bring back some looks to them.

[Bjorn]

I just did 2 dozen with Tru Oil because they were extra heavy shafts to begin with.
There was no weight gain to speak of-5 coats; just wipe it on with a piece of paper towel.
Went over dry stained surface with no problems and does not pick up as much target burn.

[Jason Jelinek]

I've done it with 3 coats and it worked great on laminated birch shafts.

Jason

[dosbow56]

I've got some maple shafts I'm just getting ready to build. I think I'll try it on those. I didn't really want to alter the maple color anyway. Does fletch tape stick to it ok?
Dave

[Hackbow]

Rufus...I typically use 3-5 coats, whatever I'm in the mood for. Don't really need any with the way I lose and break arrows.

Hey Dave...fletch tape works great with the Tru-Oil in my experience. However, you will get a VERY slight golden/amber coloring with it.

[Rufus]

Thanks guys, I think I'll try it next time.

[JPaul]

Been using tru oil for years on my own shafts. Target burn or lack of is supperior to other finishes in my opinion. As someone stated above I use 3-5 depending on my mood or what they will be used for. I usually steel wool before the final coat. Duco or tape is the best for fletching. I use tape and have yet to have one turn loose. It also holds paint for cresting well. The only negative is it requires more labor, but it dries fast, so I can put on four coates in two evenings, and crest and shoot the on the 3rd.

[JPaul]

Forgot to mention, I apply and rub the coats in with my hands and wipe off excess if any.

[JPaul]

Okay read one of the questions above that I missed. Yes it goes over stain fine. I use rit dye for all of my stain with no problem.

[Rufus]

That's cool JPaul. I've been using rit dye also. Can get some original colors. I use alcohol to mix. Kinda granular but dries quick.

[SuperK]

Tru oil works just great.  Like many others, 3 to 5 coats, buffing with steelwool after each coat dries.  Some of the advantages over other finishes are (IMO):
inexpensive
easy to find (Wal-Mart)
low odor
no extra equipment needed (apply with hand)
easy to touch-up scratches,etc
no problem going over stain
One thing I would suggest.  Don't leave the top off the bottle long; a film will form.  Pour a little at a time in a disposable cup.

[dosbow56]

Will it go over laquer? I just sprayed some crown and want to coat over it.
Good to see ya Darren, thanks for the info.
Thanks,
Dave

[dosbow56]

Looking around here for it and can't find it. Does it go under any other name? Good sources to look? I checked Menards and Wally World.
Dave

[redfish]

It is at Walmart with the gun finish and cleaning supplies.

[Killdeer]

I used it for a long time, over Minwax stains. I laid it on with my hands, too. They aren't linty. I went to poly because it was faster and cheaper, but Tru-oil makes a lovely finish. Durable, too. I lost an arrow for a year, and it was fine when I finally pulled it out of the woods.

Killdeer  

[dosbow56]

Thanks, I'll check that out tomorrow. Use over laquer OK?
Dave

[Bjorn]

I have used it over water based dip with no problems-never tried it over laquer.

[Ted Fry]

For those of you that want to dip rather than wipe Tru oil thins with Naptha, and works great as a shaft finish.
We also sell it in a spray can version.

[dosbow56]

Found it at Wally World this morning right where you said it'd be.....headin out to the barn right now to give it a try.