Preparing raw shafts for staining and sealing

[Ralphie]

I have some raw shafts I want to stain and seal. If you have a set procedure you follow when you stain and seal I would like to know that order.
I have some Minwax, oil based, Golden Oak stain, and some water based acrylic urethane, I had planned on using.
I would like to add cresting.

This will be my first time preparing raw shafts.
Any tips are appreciated

thanks

Ralph

[cahaba]

Ralph this is the way I do it.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000119

There are some more great tutorials besides this one. This is the one I went by with good success.

[wooddamon1]

That's a great how-to for sure. I learned I had spent way too much money on getting set up correctly, before actually knowing what I was doing.

With that said, Minwax stuff is usually a sealer/stain in one operation.

Go for it and enjoy your creations!

[wooddamon1]

Prepping shafts for staining/sealing:

1

Lightly sand smooth or stain before-hand (deeper stain/seal, I think)

2

Slap a coat of finish on, let dry, slap another coat on after a light steel-wooling (0000)

3

Crest, let dry, steel wool again and then another coat of finish.

4

Nock, fletch, point up and shoot.

[ArkyBob]

I think the key is patience. This process is not a sprint. Make sure that each coat is thoroughly dry before the next step. I know from experience. My first woodies I was so anxious to shoot them that I rushed the process and had some issues with the finish. Good luck

BOB

[Ralphie]

gotta say that how-to is really good !

thanks for the great suggestions !

ralph