Helsman's Spar Urathane User's

[DesertDude]

Question: Wood arrow shafts.

1. Do you thin it before dipping?
   If so, with what and what mixture?

2. Do you use duco for fletching?

3. How many coats as a norm?

4. How long between coats?

5. What type of cresting paints do you use
   so you can dip over it without the crest
   running.
   
Thanks for your inputs........

[snag]

No thinning, if you do thin with mineral spirits.
Duco works great with it.
I have used 3 coats. Then weigh them, if you are shy 5-8grs dip that shaft again to make up the difference!
Needs about 8hrs between coats to dry to where you can lightly steel wool and dip again...not a fast process, but the results are great!

[fyrfyter43]

No, I don't thin it. I use fletch tape, but Duco will work. I usually dip 3 coats, lightly sanding with #0000 steel wool after letting each coat dry 24 hours. I crest with Testors model paint, and wipe on a light coat of Minwax poly after the crest dries 24 hours.

I wouldn't dip spar urethane over any cresting - the spar urethane will dry slightly yellow. Not so bad with most colors, but any white will take on a yellow tint.

[Rick Wiltshire]

I spray a coat first, then crest, then spray another coat and then do 3 - 5 coats of wipe on and fletch with tape.  No problems for me.  Rick

[DRR324]

Spar urethane is mainly for wood that is outside all the time.  It's a bit "thicker- heavier" and will yellow as fyrfyter stated.  Plain urethane works just fine.

[Dave Pagel]

I don't thin either.  I use the gasket system,  3 coats, crest, 3 more coats, fletch with Duco. I agree with the 8 hours in between & i steel wool after the first coat of Spar only.  I use Odds n Ends enamel or Short Cuts enamel by Krylon and never have any runs.

Dave

[DesertDude]

Thank you for all the inputs. Going back to wood for awhile and needed a refresher.

[snag]

You might try the Daly's Profin. I switched from the Spar Urethane to it and I am not going back. Good stuff. Use the same method as stated above. No yellowing either.

[OkKeith]

DD,

I kinda like the Helmsman Spar Eura.on my arrows. I generally do a spray on cap dip using an under coat of white then a color coat. Then cresting. All the paints i use are Testors brand model paints I get at either the hobby store or the hardware store. I put on the nock then dip without thinning.

It does yellow a little bit but I don't mind. I do one coat then hang the arrows for the finish to sheet off and dry. I use the high gloss stuff because it seems tougher. I fletch using the fletch tape and have had no problems.

Here is a picture of some of the arrows I have with the HSE on them.

OkKeith

 

[Steve H.]

Using it for years.  Is Alaska-proof and water PROOF unlike most others.

I dip full strength with a gasket, 3-5 coats, use Duco, crest with model paints and coat the crest with shellac prior to additional protective dips.

[Buckhorn47]

I have always used spar varnish, three coats wiped on and steel wooled between coats over selected stain, water or oil based. Can't get Duco here any more but would use it as preference but Fletch-Tite works as long as fletch area is dulled down with steel wool and there are no air pockets in the glue line. At least this seems to work for woods.

[OkKeith]

Hey guys,

I see several of ya'll using more than one coat, and I have a few questions.

1. Is spar VARNISH and spar URETHANE the same thing. I was thinking it wasn't. Varnish is thin Ure. is thick.
This is the stuff I use:
 

2. If it is the same, how do you manage to keep your arrows from being as big around as a water hose with multiple coats. Even with the gasket it seems it would build up really thick. I do one dip and get at least a 1/32" thick coat.

Thanks,
OkKeith

[Precurve]

I've been using the Spar Urethane for a number of years with great results.  Put's the toughest finish on an arrow I've ever seen.  Beats everything else I've ever tried for durability and moisture resistance.  If you use the gasket system I agree you don't need to thin.  I dip in a Big Dipper tube and have had my best luck diluting with about 5-10% Mineral Spirits; just to the point it runs easily off the shaft.  Without diluting the stuff makes my arrows look like cigars.  I wait a full 24 hours between the 3 coats, with 0000 steel wool between coats.  Duco for nock and feathers and spray poly over any cresting.

[Rick Wiltshire]

After I spray, crest, and then spray again, I wipe mine on with a foam brush and do not have any issue with excessive accumulation.  Rick

[WESTBROOK]

I wipe it on with a foam brush also. 3 coats seems to be plenty.

Eric