Cap dip question

[Captain*Kirk]

Those of you who cap dip their woodies;
I have been using Varathane stain (dries super-quick) and then masking the top end of the shaft and spraying the 'cap dip' with Rustoleum 2X white. Aside from lots of over spray and a longer dry time, it works quite well and dries hard, no reaction with the Testor's enamel I use for cresting. But...with the advent of winter here in the midwest, I think the cold temps are going to require 'real' cap dipping indoors so I'm building up a dip tube setup much like the one I use for my clear coat. The question is; "What paint to use?"
Is regular Rustoleum brush-on paint relatively the same? It would be much more advantageous to use a durable latex low-odor paint that would clean up with hot, soapy water in the laundry tub; I use this with my Polycrylic clear dip and it's great. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good, durable latex paint that will play nice with the Testor's cresting paints?

[Gordon Jabben]

I have a friend that uses a latex paint cap dip (sorry I don't know the brand) with good luck.  He says the secret is to thin the latex with water until it's very thin and then dip the shaft a few  times.  If it is put on thick, it may crack and the feathers don't stay on well.
I have good luck with gasket lacquer and it doesn't have much odor.

[Tedd]

Its hard to beat Fletchlaq dipping and cresting paints. Costs and few bucks and has a strong smell but it gives good results and with Fletchtight platinum glue nothing ever fails.
I still use all kinds from wraps to spray paint. But the Fletchlaq is the best.
Tedd

[stagetek]

I'll second the Fletch-Lac products. Made exactly for what you're trying to do. My worry about using other paint combo's is, will it then be compatible with the fletching glue ? I can speak from experience how frustrating it is to do all that work, and then watch your feathers fall off.

[M60gunner]

My first choice would be Fletch Laq as well. BUT it smells bad and in an enclosed area can cause side effects like headaches. It also works best in temps no lower than 70 degrees.
 Another solution may be Tru- North paints. His are waterbased, thinned already, less smelly, and less toxic. He does sell direct or I believe 3Rivers has a selection. He is also helpful with questions you may have.

[STICKBENDER98]

I switched over to True North paints last year after using Fletch Lac for years.  I have had very good results with both paints, I have dipped and crested close to four dozen so far with the True North with no issues.  Joe is very helpful if you have any questions, he will usually email back very quickly with answers to your questions.  He will be at the bow show in Kalamazoo the end of January also if you can make it to talk to him in person.  Good luck no mater which direction you choose to go.

Jason

[BAK]

I have tried others but none will do as nice a job for me as fletch lac.

[Captain*Kirk]

Thanks for the replies. Strong odors will get me in hot water with the Queen as my workshop is in close proximity to my forced air furnace; any odors will get combusted and blasted all over the house and I'll probably never hear the end of it, so the Fletch Lac sounds more like a summertime/outside deal. I read some mixed reviews on the True North products and it's sold by the pint at $26.00...not sure if one pint would fill a 6 inch dip tube or not? So far, everything I've done has worked well and is very inexpensive. I may have to do some more experimenting and report back to you.

[Tim Finley]

I use a water base wood dye I get from Klingspoor . I mix it strong with a little less than a quart of water . So far I have used red green and orange and I like the colors better than any paint.

[two4hooking]

I brush on the oil based rustoleum from the can.  Duco works well as that is what I use.   I do this in the basement next to the furnace.   No issues.