the best finish over snakeskin?

[HartHeart]

I'm trying to decide between Spar Urethane, Polyurethane, Tung Oil, Tru Oil, and a Thunderbird as a finish over a snakeskin backed bow. Oh, and if I missed one that's better please do tell. What's the best finish and why?

[Crooked Stic]

I dont think you will go wrong with gloss epoxy base coats to get it leveled out. Then 320 grit before a top coat. For that I use Krystal dull one wet coat and then back off 2-3 mist coats.

[Crooked Stic]

I dont think you will go wrong with gloss epoxy base coats to get it leveled out. Then 320 grit before a top coat. For that I use Krystal dull one wet coat and then back off 2-3 mist coats.

[Bow man]

Bob Morrison who has probably done more snake skins than anybody always uses Gloss Thunderbird. Brushing it on.   If you are going to put this much time and money into a project you will not want anything that darkens and yellows

[Bowjunkie]

Thunderbird for me. Because, like Dave said, if I'm going to put that much time and effort into a bow, why settle coming down the home stretch?

Dave, do you know why he brushes it on? Is it to build depth and level the low spots over each scale plate? I always just sprayed it with the rest of the bow and haven't had an issue, so I was just wondering.

[Bow man]

Jeff yes to build up that first good bas to fill. No foam brush it can leave bubbles.

[Weylin]

Tru oil is what I use on my selfbows. 8 coats and polished with pumice powder and oil.  Works great.

[Tim Finley]

Don't use tung oil its not water proof enough for any bow applications I used Thunderbird lots of coats .

[Ross McLeod]

That is a magnificent bow Weylin. I like Truoil, but never used it over snakeskin, but I did find out recently that it’s a mix of boiled linseed oil and polyurethane, which goes a way towards understanding the way it handles.