What to use for bow refinish (besides tru-oil)

[Jedimaster]

I am doing my first bow refinishing/restoration project.  Refinishing a bow is not the same as a piece of furniture or gun stock.  I've learned some important lessons along the way.  Now at last I'm down to a bare bow, all stress lines are repaired and it's time to put a finish back on.  I know tru-oil will yellow over time and I'd really rather use something that will not age that way.  What product could a hobbyist use that would seal well and look good?  I'd love to find something in a spray can if possible.

[Orion]

Spray Varathane or Helmsman spar urathane. Either are available at most hardware stores and come in gloss and satin finish.  Helmsman is a bit harder finish IMO, but it will yellow a bit over time. Nothing wrong with true oil either.  Most finishes, or the wood under them, will darken some over time. I welcome the patina. Good luck.

[Stinger]

I think you will get some push back on your comment about Tru-oil yellowing over time.  It works great for me.

[Bjorn]

Lotsa stuff in spray cans you could use-won't do as good a job as Tru Oil though!  

[Jedimaster]

Thanks Orion!  
Stinger, Tru-oil works no doubt, it will also eventually yellow.  This particular bow was badly yellowed and the original finish was not tru-oil so I am not stating tru-oil is inferior to another finish.  Maybe they all yellow. I don't know - but I'm asking.

[JJB]

Hi Jedi - I've used Deft and Helmsman products in a spray can and have been happy with them.  I've recently used tru-oil for a couple of refinish bows and liked that also.  There are lots of good products out there that I'm sure you would like.

[StickBowManMI]

What about Thunderbird?

[Jedimaster]

Good suggestion Stickbow but I believe it has to be sprayed.  I don't have any experience with that - unless it's a spray CAN  

[Whip]

One thing to be careful of with spray on finishes is not to get the finish too thick.  Multiple thin, even coats are better than one applied too thick.  And don't get carried away with the number of coats.  When you get too many coats the finish will turn brittle and and you will end up with horizontal cracks in the finish on the limb.

[Jedimaster]

Thanks Whip & everyone - this is good advice and well taken. Hopefully I'll have a beautiful and functional bow at the end of this project. Hopefully I will have learned something too!

[joekeith]

I don't know how much different it is but I've been using Formsby's Tung Oil.  I'm very happy with the results.

[ron w]

I like Deft.......a few light coats and then after it's good and dry, wax it!

[woodbender]

If you want the finish to last for a long time and be really tuff you cant beat thunder bird. little harder to work with but one of the best finishes out there.

[Shawn Leonard]

I have done a couple and Helmsman Spar has always done well. As Whip said very light coats and I hit very lightly with 0000 steel wool between coats and wipe down, let dry well between coats and several very light coats did the trick for me. Shawn

[Jeff Strubberg]

Spray poly works just fine.  Spray 3 coats of gloss and a coat of semi gloss or flat if you can find it as a finish coat.  Steel wool in between.

[seabass]

lite coats of helmsmanns spar worked great on an old bear kodiak i refinished for my cuz.it was easy to use and made that old 67 bear look brand new,steve