Fletch tape - gasket lacquer - stain compatibility issue

[dinorocks]

I'm trying some fletching tape for the first time but having some problems.  The fletchings keep pealing off...looks like the gasket lacquer is pealing off the shaft with the fletching.  I stained the shafts and let them thoroughly dry before applying the lacquer.  Should I leave the shafts rough prior to applying the gasket lacquer (I did use fine steel wool on the shaft prior to staining)?  Might it be a stain issue?  I'm using Mini-Wax stain.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep the gasket lacquer from pealing off the shaft?

The fletching tape is fast as well as the gasket lacquer...maybe slower is better (i.e. polyurethane/fletching glue)?

I don’t have too much experience with wood arrows but I have noticed that when I dent my wood arrows, the gasket lacquer starts pealing off.  I'm not too conserned because I loose/break my arrows pretty fast but can anyone suggest other sealant alternatives that have proved successful?  

Thanks!

[Charlie Lamb]

One of the reasons I never cared for gasket laquer is it doesn't penetrate the wood surface like thinner finishes. That makes for a finish which wraps around the wood instead of becoming part of it.

Having said that, I suspect you may have some compatibility issues with the stain you used. Try a test shaft without stain and see what happens.

At this point I'd say it's not the fault of the fletch tape.

[dinorocks]

Thanks for the info Charlie!  The fletch tape is sticking to the gasket lacquer just fine...no issues with the tape.  Another TradGanger suggested placing a dot of glue on the front and back of the fletching to help it from lifting.  

3-R was also very helpful and suggested a few things that may help (for me and others who are interested)...."Try using just a water based stain and don't thin down your Gasket Lacquer. This stuff is to be thick lick molasses. Put 3 to 4 coats and steel wool in between every coat. Wipe shaft down with acetone before putting on next coat to get the oils from the steel wool. Make sure if you steel wool before you put the first coat on wipe it down with acetone as well".

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated...again this is relatively new to me and I would rather not try to re-invent the wheel.

Thanks again!

[Pete Darby]

I use gasket laquer and fletching tape and have no problems.  The one thing I do is after putting the feather on with the clamp is run something about the size of the end of a ball point pen over the shelf side of the quill to ensure good adhesion the length of the feather.  I then use a drop of duco on each end for finger protection and habit.  I also keep the gasket laquer thinned down since I find that if thick it tends to rip the gaskets and then you really have a mess.  The first dip barely does anthing but by the third you get a pretty shiny arrow and at five dips it glows.

[dinorocks]

Pete-

What do you use to thin your GL?  I am about one-two inches low in my big dipper and would like to increase the volume a bit so I don't have to buy another quart just yet.

[wtpops]

If you use a Bitz. Take the magnet cover and use it to press the quill down add a drop of glue at both ends and you should have no problem with the fletch tape but it sounds like you have a problem with the GL sticking to the shaft. That is over my head but someone here will be able to help you.

[LBR]

Lone Wolf sells (or used to) a special glue to use with GL that penetrates the GL and sticks better.  I'm not sure if they still sell it because I quit using it some time ago--over time it always flaked and peeled.  I use an epoxy finish now that's much more durable, just as easy (although not quite as fast), and works great with fletch tape.

Chad

[Bear]

Cant use Minwax under GL. Use Feibings leather stain or similar alcohol-based. I suppose water-based would be fine too but alcohol penetrates deeper and evapoates very quikly (less drying time).

Buy "light brown" which is actually very dark plus a little red, yellow, etc. Lighten up the brown with a little denatured alcohol. Then add drops of the others to get the desired shade. Pecan, Cherry, Pine, whatever you can think of.

[M60gunner]

I use Minwax and Fletch-Lac under my GL. No problems that I can see. I use the back of a razor knife to press the tape down on to the shaft in my Jo-Jan multi-fletcher or my Blitz. My first experiences with GL were very bad to say the least. After talking to Desert Dude and other users I got it right. I was upset to learn GL is not waterproof!! So for hunting arrows I will go back to "Wipe on Poly" from MinWax.