Finshing a laminated recurve

[tradspirit]

I am in the process of finishing a recurve that I purchased as a partially completed bow and have a couple of questions regarding the use CA as a filler on a laminated recurve and the use of Tru Oil as the final finish.   :confused:   Riser: bocote/padauk/canary wood; limbs: actionboo core/chen chen lams covered by clear glass.  
(1) Is the CA applied as a sealer only on the non moving parts (i.e., the riser) or should it also be used on the sanded glass and edges of the limbs? (2) What is the recommended application process for the CA (i.e. number of coats and level of sanding between coats)? (3) I am planning on a Tru Oil hand finish over the entire bow.  What is the recommended process (i.e. thickness and number of coats, recommended dry time, sanding process and grit size between coats).  Sorry for the extent of the questions, but my bow really looks and shoots good and I don't want to ruin it with my lack of finishing knowledge.  Thanks, Jim

[Dano]

I never use CA, I usually use the first few coats of Tru-Oil to fill the pores. I live in a dry climate, so I can get a few coats a day, where you live you may only get one. One day of drying time should be good for you to sand with 220 till you get the pores filled. Then I would progress up to 400 and 600 grit paper, and wet sand before the final coats. The final coat you can knock down the gloss with 0000 steel wool and put a few coats of furniture wax on to dull the gloss. To fill the pores and get a good finish you may need up to 10 coats, be patient it's worth it.

[tradspirit]

Thanks for the response, I thought that the Tru Oil could not be put directly onto an oily wood like Bocote as it would take a long time to dry and actually release oils in the wood.

[Dano]

True, you do have to clean the oily woods with acetone, you'll still have to do that even with CA.

[rainman]

Use Shellac for the filler on the oily woods.  A 3 pound cut.  You can put on multiple coats in a day, then use Truoil over it for the rest of the bow.  You won't have to degrease the wood with shellac or Ca glue.

[TradBowyer]

i use CA over exotics. Dries very quickly and its cheap. Never had issues with it. I only use it on the riser and wedges (for the takedown bows). I sand the riser to 220 grit. Using latex gloves, i dribble the CA on and smear (a little goes a long way and wear goggles or go outside...the vapors will really sting your eyes). once the whole riser is covered, let sit a few min to dry then sand down with 220. Repeat till desired effect is achieved. With bocote, cocobolo risers it usually takes 3 coats to fully fill the pores but the wood looks like its under glass when finished.

[TexasTrad]

What is CA?

[tradspirit]

Thanks for your inputs.  Should the tru oil be used over the CA as well?

[kennym]

CA is short for cyanoacyrilate (or super glue)    :cool:

[TexasTrad]

Thanks Kenny

Paul