Testor's bleeding through....arrrggghhhh!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

This is a first for me with the spar urethane. I crowned with Rustoleum and then let that cure over night. Then I crested with 2 colors of Testors paint. I let that dry for 6 hrs. as I usually do.  Then I dipped in the spars and as they were hanging the gold bled down the shaft on half of the arrows. The other half were fine. Did I just not let the testors cure long enough?

Those of you experienced arrow makers that use waterbased poly, have you had this happen? What is the procedure for using waterbased? I might have to try it. I like the durability of the spars. I'm in a quandary!

[aromakr]

Snag1:
I would bet your Testor's paint was the oil base type, change to the water base and you should not have a problem. You can put the spar varnish over the water base cresting paint, but not over oil base cresting.
Bob

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks for the info. Aromakr....that is why your name is Aromakr!

[Vig]

I've run into the same problem- but only with a few of the Testor's paints.  It seems both the silver and gold don't really "agree" with poly or other clear coats.

[NativeArcher]

just finished a set with testors and spar. the colors were ok but the silver bled. i let them sit a day or so after cresting, then dipped again in the spar. i guess it might be something with the metalic paints... matty

[aromakr]

Guy's:
Testor's makes both oil base and water base(acrylic enamel) DON'T USE THE OIL BASE, don't mean to yell, but the oil base will bleed. For your silver and Gold either use what I produce "Whispering Wind Arrows" or the Poly Scale silver they don't make a Gold.
Bob

[snag]

The gold Testor's paint I have in the gold says enamel on it. Do you think I just didn't let it cure long enough?

[Van/TX]

Oil, water, oil.  Or the other way around to be sure of no bleed....Van

[snag]

The only Testor's I have found is the enamel. Where do you guys buy it? I guess I better get some of Whispering Winds paint. Aromakr is that water-based or can you get it both oil or water-based?

[Eric Krewson]

Get some acrylic craft paint from wally world you will never have any bleeding and a bottle of any color will last you a life time. Pretty cheap stuff as well, only about a buck. I use the Folk Art Brand.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks Eric. I just talked with my local hobby shop and he said ALL of the Testors is enamel, they don't make acrylic. I am headed to Wally World right after work!

[snag]

What do you guys use to crown with? I used Rustoleum because it is cheap, lots of good colors and it holds up to the elements. But I am still having a hard time with acrylic paint adhering to it. Should I just use any exterior enamel paint to crown with, then acrylic to crest and spar urethane to finish?