bow finish

[marino]

hey everyone I am just about done my very first bow, and I am just wondering I have seen lots of posts about finishing bows with epoxy, I am just wondering how everyone does it is it thinned?, sprayed, brushed, sanded between coats?...and is there something better to use like varathane?  I want a really nice flat to satin finish,
i think that I have photobucket figured out I will try and get some pics up soon!   thanks

[bjansen]

I have been using the Thunderbird epoxy finish.  It is a 2 part mix, then thinned 25%.  I brush on a coat, sand, brush on a coat sand, (just to fill pores).......then spray 2-3 light coats.  If you just frost the last coat (holding the gun back and just dusting the surface), you will achieve a nice uniform satin finish.  

TB epoxy sands great and I really like it...however, it is about a $100 investment to get into it.  

I have also used Devcon 5 minute epoxy ($2), thinned with acetone and sprayed via a small spray gun...that worked well, but it does not sand all that well.

All that being said.  Consider 1 other finish without getting into the epoxy

A Tru oil finish...Easy to apply with a small rag, cheap $5 or so available at sporting goods stores (as a Gun stock finish).  Fill the pores and apply 4 thin coats or so of that (sanding with 0000 steel wool in between), then follow up with a spray coat of Helmans Spar Varathane finish (satin, $6).  Cheap, easy and durable.  Best of luck...

[marino]

what would be the difference between using the thunderbird or thinning out some smooth on? has anyone done that...  i think that I am leaning towards the tru oil then sealing it I was just hoping some more experienced fella's would throw in they're two bits...
thanks bjansen

[Roy Steele]

I used varfane (SPRAY ON) for over 10 years.Now I do it the  old simple way.Bees wax and a hair dryer.Melts right into the pours.Do this a couple times a year.Each time you do it looks like a new bow.

[John Scifres]

I have used Devcon epoxy finish that is commonly known as the Massey finish.  It is simply devcon 2 ton epoxy mixed 4 parts acetone to 1 part epoxy.  It is an extremely tough finish but is very glossy.  I have sprayed it but it orange peels some.  Less volatile solvents like MEK help with that.

You can also wipe it on.  Just quickly wipe a coat on.  Don't rewipe it.  Let it cure for 8 hours, sand lightly, then repeat at least 4 times.

Here's a BBO I did several years ago with it.  It is fully cured here and very shiny.  You can spray with a satin poly after it is fully cured to dull it down some.

 

[Pat B]

I have had good luck with Tru-Oil over the years. If the finish is too shiny a quick spray od satin poly over it will cut the shine, like John said.

[Eric Krewson]

Massey and Tru-Oil are my favorites. I give both a misting of satin spar urathane to give a nice, low gloss finish.

[frank bullitt]

Formby's tung-oil. Gary Davis put me on to this years ago. I have used tru-oil on bows and arrows, leaves a mark when compressed like from a gripper on a bow quiver or straps from like a Great Northern quiver.  This is my experience. Formby's can be wiped on or dipped as Gary does in a pvc tube.

[frank bullitt]

Formby's tung-oil. Gary Davis put me on to this years ago. I have used tru-oil on bows and arrows, leaves a mark when compressed like from a gripper on a bow quiver or straps from like a Great Northern quiver.  This is my experience. Formby's can be wiped on or dipped as Gary does in a pvc tube.