Finishing Skins

[brianvanh]

So, I've finally learned enough to complete my first board bow.  Only took me 3 tries.  

It turned out great...60" red oak backed red oak with a white oak and brazilian walnut riser.  Shoots great and is very light!  Pulling 47 pounds at 27" which is great for me.

Now I'm on to the finish.  I have a pair of snakeskins that I want to glue on the back.  I also want to stain the bow to darken the wood up.

Here's my question - when applying snakeskins, do you glue them to the raw wood and then stain the skins as well as the wood?  Or do you mask the skins and stain the wood only?  I'm assuming that I can't glue the skins over the stain (especially if I'm using an oil based stain)?  What's the best practice here?  

I've seen a few topics where people have stained skins with good result, but I wanted to clarify the issue because I REALLY don't want to screw this bow up.  

Anyway, all thoughts, ramblings, diatribes and admonishments are welcome.  Thanks!

Brian

[red hill]

Glad to hear about your success, Brian. I haven't used skins yet, but I believe you glue them on the bare wood and then finish over wood, skins, and all. After removing scales.
Someone more knowledgeable will speak up soon.

[macbow]

Brian, I,m not a big fan of oil based stains. I use alcohal based stains. Then the skins can be put over the stained back. Many skins will show the base stain through the skins.
You need to size (coat the bow with glue) before adding the skins.
Ron

[brianvanh]

I wondered about that.  If using alcohol or water based stains would make a difference.  That's a good thought...

[John Scifres]

Stain it or dye it and then give it a coat of shellac and the skins will stick.  I have dyed snake skins on occasion and really like the result.  Go easy at first and build up the color.

[Roy Steele]

I Alcohol and water based dyed quite a few first before I added skins all worked ok. I've only stained 2 first both of these also worked out OK.