Polyurethane finish

[Goshawkin]

I have an old ML-10 longbow that's been through the ringer. I just just sanded it down and got most of the scratched up areas looking good.220 first to get off the rest of the paint,then 330 to finish. I searched the forums for an easy finish to put on it (I don't have an airbrush or sprayer) and settled on Minwax fast drying polyurethane spray. I went to buy a can today and when I read it it said interior use only. The only exterior spray I could find was Minwax spar urethane,but that said it may cause ambering of the finish,I don't think that would work to well over black glass??? Is the spray poly ok even though it says interior? any suggestions on another spray or wipe on finish? any pro's or con's to using either satin or gloss? My game plan was to sand,clean with acetone then spray on a finish.
Thanks and I'd appreciate any tips or advice.

[owlbait]

Helmsman Satin Spar Finish was recommended for my self bow refinishing. Nice spray pattern, easy to apply. 2 hours between coats, 4-6 coats, then let set for 24 hours.

[mahantango]

I've done lots of bows with Minwax spray poly, both gloss and satin. Holds up fine, especially if you protect it with some paste wax. Spray about six coats, rubbing down with Scotchbrite between coats. Another great finish is Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. Many thin coats wiped on, Scotchbrite between.

[dnovo]

I just did some snakeskins and was asking about the finishes. A buddy did some last year and he used the Spar spray on and said that it is yellowing a bit. I found some stuff at a local hardwood store called ZAR poleyurethane. It is a spray can and says it is for exterior use. Only put it on a couple weeks ago but looks good.

[AWPForester]

I bought a 2011 K mag in January of this year.  I decided to cut it past center.  I sealed it with Spar Poly.  Iy has yellowed drastically.  so don't use the Spar!  God Bless

[JamesV]

I used Krylon crystal clear spray with good results. Easy to apply, recoat anytime, dries almost instantly.

[bowless]

I used Krylon crystal clear spray on the hood of my daughter's car and it's holding up excellent.
Never crossed my mind what a good bow finish it would be

[D. Key]

I have used both Minwax and Deft Poly for many years and never had an issue with either.

Best of luck.

[deaddoc4444]

"Man O War" Spar Varnish  is the toughest one out there, IMHO.   Takes a while for the first coat to dry  ( I give it at least  48 hours ) But after that, subsequent coats take less then  8 hours to dry and it is  tough as nails  . I used to do all my arrows with it also  but it will give a bit of a yellow cast to the color, so I don,t use it on arrows now just for looks . Comes in Satin and Gloss .  I apply it with sponge  brushes   on the bow limbs.

[Goshawkin]

Great,Thank you for the help guys.
JamesV,an oldtimer saw me looking at the finishes and reading the cans and asked me what I was working on. He said that he builds rocking chairs and uses the Krylon clear on them.

[Jomohr84]

Just fyi, deft dissolves with insect repellent, so I quit using it on my bows, I'd stay with a poly or something like thunderbird. Know that cure time is important to durability and most products take a LONG time to fully cure. The process can be sped up with heat and air flow, i.e. put a fan on it and heat lamp, or leave it out in the sun to cure, even better on a sunny, breezy day. I like to do a fingernail check to see how its doing, just press in a fingernail and see if it leaves a mark, if so, then it needs more time. Some products won't cure fully for MONTHS if applied thick.

[Jomohr84]

Not sure if other lacquers dissolve with bug spray, but I think the krylon crystal clear may be a good choice, I've used it once and its cured quick and held up very well

[Goshawkin]

Well I went with the Minwax Spray Poly. 6 coats and scotchbrite in between. I'm going to let it cure for a few weeks then buff in the Minwax paste wax.Laced on a new leather grip today.There were some very deep scratches on the back of the limbs,so I'm going to put snake skins on. Here's a pic of her so far.I'm very happy how she's turning out. I wish I took a "before" picture,can hardly tell it's the same bow. Thanks for the advice.
 

[Goshawkin]

Put the skins on her today,it looks great!
I used TitebondIII.I have to trim and sand the edges then I'm going to finish the skins with a few coats of Tru-oil. The skin is a Carpet python. I sold the other half of it on the classifieds here. Just skinned out a Soloman island ground boa today,got it tacked up to dry now.
 

[BRIARS]

Originally posted by owlbait:
Helmsman Satin Spar Finish was recommended for my self bow refinishing. Nice spray pattern, easy to apply. 2 hours between coats, 4-6 coats, then let set for 24 hours.

My choice as well. Has always performed well and I like the satin.

[Goshawkin]

Well I haven't put anything over the skins yet. I was going to use Tru oil,but was told it may darken the skins quite a bit,they're already pretty dark.Read about the Montana Pitch blend,Mink oil,etc. Saw a post about using Butcher's wax with good results.Since I finished the rest of the bow with Minwax Paste finishing wax I'm thinking about trying that? Anyone ever try it or think of a reason it might not be the way to go?