Skinning ?pics added

[4runr]

Adding snakeskin to fiberglass backed bow, can I use TBIII?

Thanks!

[Pat B]

Yes!

[4runr]

Thanks Pat!

How ya been?

[Osagetree]

All right Ken,,, where did you get the skins from? What kind are they and what bow are you dressing up?

Yesterday, I was in the creek where you shot the blue toung buck. Someone drove a big ten point down the hill past me. It jumped the creek, through the feild and right past my jeep on the road stopping long enough to look back and laugh at me.

I hate gun season!  

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I done it in a Bear super mag and it worked great. 4 or 5 coats of CA glue over it and it looks they are under glass.
 Good luck. Kris

[Pat B]

Doing as well as times will allow, Kenny! d;^)
  I would not use super glue as a finish. I have heard of it cracking over time. I like Tru-Oil. Depending on how smooth you want the surface will depend on the number of layers. I like 5 to 6 coats and don't mind the bit of texture of the scale scars on the back. I don't like shiny smooth finish anyway. Dano has excellent results with Thunderbird(I believe).
 All I do is self and all wood bows so others may have different opinions for glass bows.

[4runr]

Hey Joe. Long time my friend. I need to call you and catch up!

I'll use Thunderbird over it. I just use a arisol spray unit and it works great for me.

I have a '59 Bear Grizzly that some dummy cut the tips off of. I put new Phenolic tips on it and got a set of D'back skins from Mike Yancy. Goin for somethin a little different.

[Pat B]

Don't forget the pics!

[mikieg]

i am lookin for a couple canebreaks for my bow. i have a dozen 55-60# purple heart footed shafts to trade for em if any one is interested.

[Jason Scott]

4runr, can you explain what the arisol spray unit is and where to get one? I don't have a compressor. Do you thin the thunderbird for this unit?

[Dano]

Jason, you can get canned propelent for airbrushes, works fine.

[4runr]

Jason,

It is a "Preval" brand spraygun. A small arisol unit sits on top of a glass jar it comes with. You can buy replacement cans and reuse the jar.
I bought it at a local hardware store paint section. Less than 10 bucks.

I use acetone to thin the Tbird. Tbird recommends a different thinner as well.

[Dano]

Kenny, good luck on your project. You can use regular lacquor thinner with Tbird as well. But the Tbird thinner is hotter, prolly like acetone.

[4runr]

I glued on the skins on Saturday, got em trimmed and ready for finish. I've read alot about getting the scales off before applying finish. I did that on a set for my son's bow. They were watermoccasin and looked great after removing the scales. This being a set of D'backs, look great with the scales on. None of the scales have slipped or fallen off at this point. Can I leave them and spray the Tbird over top and get good results???

I know I'll have a rougher surface with scales on, I'm OK with that.

[Pat B]

It is not the actual scale as you see on the skin but the part to be shed or covering. The scale design is permanent but it's covering must come off.
  On Eastern Diamondbacks and some Timber Rattlers I've used a steel brush to remove scales but generally on thinner skins like some timber rattlers, copperheads and the Western Rattlers use your hand, an artist eraser, steel wool, duct tape, etc. Whatever works for you, but get them off. They will get cloudy under the finish.

[4runr]

Thanks Pat.

[Eric Krewson]

Duct tape is my favorite for removing scales, lots of "stickum".

 

[4runr]

The duct tape worked great, thanks Eric and Pat. Looks like I'm having to use Tru-Oil. Out of Thunderbird and over $60 for a new batch right now is hard to swing.

Pat, how do you get a matte finish with TO. My experience with it has mostly given me a shiney finish. I'm using spray on this time. Can I just buff it with a scotch bright after my final coat? I'll post some pics after a bit, before I start the finish process.

[4runr]

A little slow with the pics, I know!

 
 
 
 

[Osagetree]

Tips look good with the skin. More pics please!