Applying smooth on

[bow loving man]

I'm just looking for better ways to improve my process.... what do you guys use to apply smooth on during the glue up process... I use a plastic knife which will occasionally snap!   I'd love to know how everybody else does it... thanks

[Bowjunkie]

I've been using a 6-7" piece of Bo-tuff fiberglass for about 20 years. It works perfectly.

[EwokArcher]

I've bought a big bag of popsicle sticks and that has been going great for me. I like the idea of using another piece of glass though. But I'd still use my sticks to stir up my Dixie cup of glue

[breazyears]

X2 on the popsicle sticks.

[6feathers]

I use the formica counter top samples from any kitchen countertop store.  Use once and toss.

[Ran Man]

Putty Knife!!

[Kopper1013]

X2 on putty knife

[Crooked Stic]

Don't throw your cut off pieces of glass away. Like Bowjunkie sez.

[bigbob2]

Popsicle sticks or scrap glass for me.

[kennym]

Scrap lams from the barrel, ripped in half and cut to 9" lengths. You've seen the barrel(s)....

[bow loving man]

Yes I have Kenny!  Thanks for all the advice guys...I have tried a couple and will keep searching for what fits best in my builds...

I guess I am the weird one...  I like using a 1" brush...  I tried spreading it with a lam and so on but I went back to a brush...  It gets difficult when the resin and air is cooler but I live in Florida and in the winter I warm my resin before use and put heat lamps over my work table... If you want to use a brush you have to break it in first... When I am laying up a bow or have extra EA-40 I will dirty-up a new brush with some resin and then clean it... I do this two times...  That glues the bristles in place and prevents them from falling out in the layup process... Anybody else use a BRUSH.???

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

Putty knife... clean with denatured alcohol... ready for next use

[Swissbow]

I use the cut offs from the glass lams.
__________
Andy

[Sixby]

I use 10 inch or so pieces of actionboo about 75 thousands thick or so and 1/2 in wide. I mix with the stick , clean it and then apply with it. works great and the glue goes on smooth and fast and clean.

God bless, Steve

[glenbo]

I have had good success with a two inch short nap paint roller. Used it on my last four lam bows.

[monterey]

I use any old piece of a discarded lam from my lam grinding escapades.  Got quite a few.      :eek:

[Mark R]

I use a suitable thin piece of scrap 1" or so and a little flexable to smear on the smooth on then take a wall paper seam roller and even it out.

[Robertfishes]

I buy a 20 pack of auto body bondo squeegees from Harbor Freight. I cut them in half, use one half to mix smooth on and other half to apply glue. I mix on 8 inch plastic dinner plates.. I tried both scrap pieces and putty knives once..went right back to the bondo squeegee..

[Tim Finley]

Bondo squeegees cut in two are the best !!!