Is spray paint better than dipping?

[Tree Rat]

I've seen guys use spray paint instead of a dipped crown. Is it better than dipping? I'm assuming it is faster. What glue would you use for the feathers?

[jamesh76]

I think it is really just personal preference. I think it takes longer to spray paint them. I tape each one where I want the crown to end. Where I dont have to when I dip. I use fletch tape for fletching them.

[JamesV]

I spray mine with cheap paint then cover with a coat of water base polly. Fletch with Duco. On wood I wipe a coat of polly on the shaft before painting.

[Bjorn]

Dipping is my preference-a water based poly from Raptor Archery. No smell, dries fast and glues with Duco cement.

[jarhead_hunter]

I crown using Bohning Fletch Lacquer, crest with Bohning crest paints and then add a dip clear coat made by Bohning.

Then nocks, feathers and points....

The crown, crest and most of the feathers have lasted for a very long time. Some of the arrows I made almost 40 years ago still look pretty good.

Charles.

[michaelschwister]

I like the tradgang wraps better than anything else. quick, easy, and look great.

Mike

[Bigkid]

I use spray paint on mine woods arrows, Some water based Poly and Flechtite to put the feathers on.

drying time is the worst of the whole process. I don't Tade them up for Perfect lines but leave a Faded look to them. I like the unique versus the standard.

[Mike Vines]

I spray my crowns, then I crest them before I dip them.  I use fletch tape, and a dab of duco on the front and rear.  I'm actually doing a build-a-long right now on making wood arrows.  I'm trying to show some of the people who think arrow building is to difficult to do themselves, how easy it really is.  And to show how easy it is, I'm going to even have my, soon to be, 7 year old use my SpinRite crester to do the pinstripping on the arrows.  Seeing as winter is coming soon, and everyone is looking for something to do to keep their minds off of eating, why not learn to make arrows.  In the build along, I'm making 1 dozen for my boys, and at the same time, I'm also making 1/2 dozen "Turkey Tamers" for the MLA's Winter Banquet.  I should have the whole thing done in a couple weeks.  Hunting season is here, and building is gonna take a backseat to hunting for a little while.

[customcrester]

I like spray paint better than dipping and i use both duco and flechtite.

[Grey Taylor]

I do a lot of different colors and special effects on the arrows I build. If I dipped them I'd have a ton of money holed up in dip tubes and such.
For most of my crowns I just paint on stain, dye, or water-based acrylic craft paints. For others I use an airbrush and the attendant paints for that application.
If an individual did most of their arrows with the same colors or styles spray paint would probably be easier than dipping.

Guy

[mahantango]

Spray the crowns, crest, then clear coat with poly. Fletch with tape and a drop of Duco.

[lpcjon2]

I have done both and the key is the top coat of poly. You have to spray lightly and let it dry before you spray again.And each coat has to dry for at least 12hrs.Then 2 coats of poly (12hrs dry time in between coats) then Duco works best for glue.IMHO

 And in the words of my dad if you rush,it will take you longer to fix it!

[Doc Nock]

What you guys dippin...wood, alum, carbon? I've had some issues with carbons getting pin hole bubbles...so did a trusted friend. We scrubbed, washed and alcoholed the caron GT's first and they still got pin holes!

[jarhead_hunter]

I dip wood and aluminum shafts.

I have pin hole bubbles on occasion.

When they show up I dip the shaft again for a second coat.

So far it has worked well and the pin holes disappear.

Never tried carbons.

Charles.

[Tree Rat]

I've dipped all three types, but looking at speeding up the process. (and a little less vapor)

[Mike Vines]

Well, if that is what you want, then get an exhaust fan and then just put them in your crester (if you have one) take a cardboard box cut it so that your arrow fits in it, and protects your crester at the same time, and spray away.  If you were really into it, you could even hook up an exhaust fan directly to the box, and there should be no over spray when it is turned on.  It might take a little to get it going, but once done, it would be the cat's arse.

[Davesea]

I just painted the top 10" of 6 arrows white.  I have been noticing that Howard hill preferred white.  Anyway, sprayed with Acrylic and after drying, I used a small piece of sponge to wipe on a coat of minwax helmspar polyurethane.  Looks great and not that time consuming. Using a sponge really speeds things up. I agree that the urethane adds depth to the paint.

Waiting for my all white feathers to arrive.  Actually since reading one of the archery bibles, I use contact cement for fletching and it works great.  
Dave
HH Big 5 68" 48#@28"

[Huntschool]

I spray a primer, white or grey, then a color and then whatever else I want with good drying in between.  Lines, etc. I use Testors and then do a top coat with a water based poly.  Fletch with fletch tape.

The main thing I have found is keep them clean.  I will use acetone before the primer and then alcohol between all the rest.

Doc:  I have not had any bubble problems.....