Cresting arrows

[Bakes168]

I've heard that some guys use spray paint to crest their arrows...I know it would work on woodies cause they'd be sealed but what about other arrows?
If I want to use spray paint on aluminums or even carbons, what type of paint should I use? They won't be sealed so I'm worried the paint will smear or get worn off really quick. Besides not using latex paint, how should I go about this?

And another question...Do you have to seal woodies? Or is it just a good idea so the humididty and weather don't affect them?

Bakes  

[Bard1]

I can answer you Bakes.  
I have and still do use spray paint to cap my arrows.  Woods aluminums and carbon.  I have used outdoor/indoor paints all to good effect.  Like anysurface, make sure it's clean and free of oils.  More so with Aluminum and Carbon.  I also recomend you use a primer first.  White if you want the colors bright. Black if you want the colors more subdued.  
I do put a sealer on my aluminum and carbon cresting jobs.  I use "crystal clear" or other times have acutally used the wood finish I use on my woodies over the cresting to protect it!

As for having to seal woodies, no you don't HAVE to, but I think you'll end up with warped arrows pretty quick if you don't.
D-

[Missouri Bowman]

Do ou tape off the shaft with masking tape prior to using the spray? Or how do you do yours.  I'd like to try the spray paint to.

[NewtoTrad2008]

I never thought of spray paint, Bard can you give some basic instructions and throw up some pics?

[Bard1]

Missouri Bowman,
I use painters masking tape and tape off the shaft.  Be sure to use Painters masking tape.  The glue on other types of masking tape is to sticky and will leave residue after you take the tape off. (ask me how I know.    )
Let me see if I can dig up some pictures from my arrow build along I did a couple years ago.
Derek

[Bard1]

This was done with wood arrows but it's the same for all materials.  

first I tape off with masking tape what I didn't want white.  Then I simply spray and let dry.  
 

Once it was dry, I wanted the back section to be blue to match the feather splice, so I taped off the white end cap that I wantted to stay white and spray painted blue.  
 

be sure that when you apply your masking tape that the line of the tape is perpendicular to the shaft.  

After I remove the masking tape they look like..
 

then I crest
 

and the finished arrow.
 

There are a few detail steps I left out but this is general idea of how I use masking tape and spray paint.
Derek

[Dave Worden]

One more hint on the masking tape...the sooner you remove it, cleaner your line will be.  If you let the paint dry, you end up with a ridge.  Of course, a little cresting can hide it!  Another thing....be sure your top coat/sealer is compatible with your cap and cresting paints.  That generally means don't use lacquer sor a sealer unless your cap and cresting is lacquer.  Lacquer will "eat up" other types of paint.

[Missouri Bowman]

Thanks for the help will have to try it.

[cahaba]

Great looking arrows Bard. Thanks for the tutorial. Im gonna try it.

[Bard1]

Great tips Dave!
Thank Cahaba.  Sadly those arrows are all broken or lost.  the picture is all i have left of them. Some one once said that they think of arrows as performance art.  Like dance.  I have addopted that attitude, but I still take pictures of my art before i go out and loos/break them. =)
getting some cheap dowling is a good way to practice.  
have fun with it, and be sure to post picts.  We all love to see arrows.  
Derek

[Gaff]

hey zach, i know this prob. isnt what you want, but me and friends of mine go to the local sign shop and get 1x7" pcs of vinal sticker material.
we wap i around the shaft and fletch right over it. i get enough to do 2doz arrows for about 10 bucks.

[Soilarch]

Here's how I do them.

Remove nocks

Mask off with the blue masking tape (worth it in my opinion, as you don't have to rush to take it off and there's no grime afterwords)

Use some "good" paint (I've used rustoleum with good results)

Seal with a clear lacquer spray paint about an inch past where you actually painted. (again rustoleum)

Quick, easy, and you can get some neat fades.


Wish I has some pics for ya

I've only done carbons.  It comes off with good ole acetone and some elbow grease.  Not sure how the camo or woody carbons handle the acetone though.  I've only removed the crests from standard black-shaft carbons.

[GUYZER]

Hello BARD1.
What kind of fletching cement are you using?


MAY THE SPIRIT OF FRED BEAR GUIDE OUR ARROWS.

[Bard1]

Guyzer I am using CA+ or super glue with a kicker.  goat tuff to be exact.