What wipe-on finish for Cocobolo?

[Shifting Shadow]

Hello everyone. I have a u-finish glass longbow with a cocobolo handle. I have no spray equipment. I heard that, due to the oily nature of the wood, some finishes don't dry.

What is the best wipe on finish for cocobolo?

[vanillabear?]

[Shifting Shadow]

vanillabear, I thank you for your advice. I did look at shellac today at our hardware store. I don't remember the can saying if it was un-waxed. I'll take another look tomorrow.

Is it necessar to wipe off the handle first with acetone?  I have heard some mention of this.

[Sixby]

I seal it with several coats of super glue first ,. Then use any finish I want. You have to sand the super glue smooth and make absolutely sure its sealed with no bare wood showing or most finishes will not dry.

God bless you and good luck, Steve

[vanillabear?]

[Shifting Shadow]

Sixby, thanks for offering up advice. I feel like a fish out of water attempting this project. I now am beginning to realize that finishing a bow involves a lot of sanding and more! You bowyers are great!

[Shifting Shadow]

vanillabear?, funny you should mention Zinsser brand. I think that's the brand of shellac I looked at today at our True Value Hardware store. I may buy acetone or denatured alcohol, too, to wipe it down first.

Another question for bow builders: where the end of the handle overlay meets the glass is a hard place for me to sand. It's like a little dip. I am afraid the glass will get too thin if I agressively sand the end of the overlay to feather it out.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by Shifting Shadow:
vanillabear?, funny you should mention Zinsser brand. I think that's the brand of shellac I looked at today at our True Value Hardware store. I may buy acetone or denatured alcohol, too, to wipe it down first.

Another question for bow builders: where the end of the handle overlay meets the glass is a hard place for me to sand. It's like a little dip. I am afraid the glass will get too thin if I agressively sand the end of the overlay to feather it out.

just fold over a piece of 220 grit with a nice straight crease in it, and sand it gently by hand.
you can go up to 180 or even 120 grit if need be, but you'll need to sand the scratches out going back down to 220 for best results.

[Shifting Shadow]

KirkII, thanks for the tip about using 220 grit paper.

And thanks everyone.

I feel more confident proceeding.

[rainman]

Don't need to wipe down the wood if using Shellac, Alcohol is the solvent used to make Shellac from the flakes.  If you go to a Woodworking store and get the Shellac flakes you can make your sealer as thick as you want.

[Lee Robinson .]

Massey Epoxy will dry on it...and I like that finish so much I use it on all my bows.

[Shifting Shadow]

rainman, thank you for your insight. I am about to buy some supplies.

Protege Longbows, I remember people talking about Jay's finish. If I recall, it was part acetone. What was the other part and the ratio?

[BWD]

Zinsser Bulls Eye Schellac.

[Lee Robinson .]

Two ton Devcon epoxy...mixed with acetone. 4-5 parts acetone to 1 part epoxy. It dries on every wood I have tried it on...including...

Cocobolo, bocote, and any other oily wood. Never had a problem with it.

[Sixby]

Yep Lee. I do every one of my bows with it too. I then go to Tru Oil for the final finish unless the customer wants a matte.

God bless you all, Steve

[White Oak]

How do you guys apply the Epoxy - acetone mix?

Thanks,
      Ed

[Sixby]

I use cotton balls.
God bless you , steve