skinning a bow

[cwbyengraver]

I have read the build along on skinning a bow. my question is tite bond 3 was used. tite bond doesn't bond very well to nonporous surfaces like fiberglass. would it be better to use west system epoxy.

[robtattoo]

The problem is that usually epoxies aren't that flexible. I have no experience with the West Systems stuff, so I could be talking out of my hat.

That said, I've skinned several bows with TBIII & had zero falures so far. The toughest part of the whole operation is attacking that lovely, glossy glass with a sheet of 60 grit!

[cwbyengraver]

Thanks, I know what you mean about the 60 grit.

[John Scifres]

TB will work fine.  It doesn't take a lot of bonding power to keep skins on.  Plus it will be much easier to remove later if you want to try something else.

[walkabout]

i agree tb3 is probably the best thing to use, itll stick fine to glass and if you want to remove it later its easier than removing something thats epoxied on.

[ranger 3]

What about carbon backed limbs do you still sand them with 60 grit?

[walkabout]

i havent any experience with carbon but if its pretty smooth id probably scuff it a bit to get some good adhesion. barge cement works for skins too but its harder to remove and may have less working time. for finish on skins my favorite is tung oil, although anything will work the tung oil makes them like glass after some coating with some scotchbrite  fine sanding in between. only thing is that the colors can wash out of a skin if theyre put over light colors.