Glass bow finish

[NYArrow]

So I'm in the finishing stages of my 1st glass bow and was referencing some build alongs and old posts and couldn't find a good thread on finishes for glass bows. I've found a few that are dated, and may still be current but just wanted to bounce some ideas around - in the event there are newer / better products.

So what's your favorite finish for a glass bow? (Thus far I've sanded the entire thing....including the smooth glass - but await input for the final touch)

Thanks

[Bowjunkie]

I spray Thunderbird satin on ALL my bows.

[Bodork]

thunderbird

[carpin'mark]

If you plan on building more bows, invest in Thunderbird. If you're looking for a good finish for just this one, Helmsman spar urethane spray  will do a very nice job and clean up is easy - just throw the can away.

[BigJim]

I sell Buffalo hide (aka tbird) and also sell krystal. The Buffalo hide is certainly tougher than anything else out there and looks great once complete. There is a bit of a learning curve to it though.
The Krystal is a great finish too, just not nearly as tough but a whole lot easier to apply and less expensive. Many custom bowyers utilize this as their main finish.

No matter what finish you choose, you are going to want to put three or more coats on so unless you don't mind it getting a milky look, the first few coats should be gloss followed by a satin or flat.

Buffalo hide can actually be used as it's own grain filler too.
thanks, bigjim

[NYArrow]

Tbird sounds like the winning vote (or buffalo hide) My only problem is I didn't want to have to worry about spray guns and etc. In the future I may go this route, but for a couple bows per year perhaps spray helmsman is the way to go.

Another option I noticed from Dick Wightmans website was truoil. Is this a good finish in your opinion?

[carpin'mark]

I have used Tru-oil on several bows and yes, it is a very nice bow finish. Very easy to touch-up and recoat if necessary.

[Al Dean]

Helmsman spar varnish is the most moisture resistant, and as far as I know the only one that is UV resistant.  Very tough after curing a week or so and very easy to touch up.  I generally put on 8 coats

[NYArrow]

Applied my 1st coat of Spray, Helsman Spar, Gloss. Can't believe I have to wait 72hrs to recoat. This could take a while, I plan on coating 4 gloss and 2 to 3 satin. It looks really good! Coats even, smooth and easy as pie.

[Sam Harper]

Originally posted by NYArrow:
 My only problem is I didn't want to have to worry about spray guns and etc.

You don't need a spray gun, though.  You can just use a Preval sprayer.  They're pretty cheap.  I've seen them at Home Depot, but you can get them on line, too.

 http://www.amazon.com/Preval-Sprayer-PVE267-Spray-Gun/dp/B000TRL9PY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1384046778&sr=8-7&keywords=preval

[MoeM]

This works??

[7 Lakes]

Just thinking back.... Always have an extra Preval sprayer.  Once the one you are using clogs up there is no fixing it, to finish the bow you have to use another can.

[LittleBen]

I may have to seriously consider this preval sprayer ... do you thin T-bird before spraying?

Will any epoxy thinned with acetone or something work? It's just that if I buy another can of finish/adhesive/basically anything thats not food ... I may be spending a long tenure sleeping on the couch.

[7 Lakes]

Little Ben, there are, or were two products labeled Thunderbird from the same company.  One is a conversion varnish and must be thinned with a slow drying lacquer thinner.  The other is a two part epoxy that is likely too thick to be sprayed with a preval can.  

The conversion varnish can be obtained from 3 Rivers, they also sell the slow drying lacquer thinner.

It sounds like Big Jim's "Buffalo Hide" is a epoxy spray.  Probably the toughest in the industry.