Deft Lacquer

[K. Mogensen]

I've got a bow stripped and ready to refinish.

I've used spar urethane and Tru oil in the past and was never totally happy with the results so I thought I'd try something different this time.

Home Depot had Deft Clear Wood Finish which is a lacquer. I seemed to remember reading about some people using Deft and so that's what I got.

Once home I did some reading and realized that those people were talking about Defthane, or a deft urethane . From what I'm reading, lacquer isn't very water resistant.

Is this true?

If so, would shellac do anything to help? (I don't think shellac is water proof but I have some so I gotta ask).

I have some wipe on spar urethane but hate how that goes on too. If the deft isn't a good idea I'll need to find something else.

Thanks for any info.

[Flem]

I know people use pre-cat Lacquer on Bows, I would be inclined not too. It's traditionally an interior finish without UV resistance and its kind of soft. If you don't have the gear to spray a 2K finish, Marine varnish is your best bet.
Shellac is my favorite finish for woodworking, but its no good outdoors. It is however the universal sealer or bridge coat.

[Forwardhandle]

I used vinyl sealer & pre cat lacquer on this bow it's a great finish in my book it's used for high moister areas on cabinets by cabinet makers it seems real durable to me in that combo and a pleasure to work with fast drying.

[Shredd]

I used Deft in the rattle can...   I think it was the lacquer...  I did not like it... It left marks where the string layed on the bow...

[K. Mogensen]

I ended up getting some Spar. As usual it's orange peeled like crazy, even scuffing between coats. Hopefully it'll sand out.

[Shredd]

Oh No..!!!!  That sucks...  Sorry to hear...  Sounds like a contaminate...  Did you wipe it down good with alcohol or acetone with a clean rag???

[K. Mogensen]

Yeah wiped down with alcohol and a tack cloth. I think it's how the cans spray. It either atomizes when you spray too far away, or it orange peels when you get too close.

I think if I get enough coats on I can sand it and do the last coat with Tru oil or wipe on and it will still look okay.

[Flem]

Be careful with tack cloths, not all are compatible with every finish. I stopped using them after I kept getting fish eyes in the finish, when it should have been compatible.

[K. Mogensen]

I ended up spraying the last three coats fairly thick and relatively close to each other in hopes they'd melt into each other a bit.

It looks okay but far from what I was hoping for.

Usually when I wet sand, I burn through on the edges before I get all of the orange peel off. I have 8 coats on this, is there a chance I can get it sanded and polished either with or without a final top coat?

Apologies to the guys who do this for real with a gun and a booth. I know I can't expect those kinds of results but it'd be nice to get close.

[Crooked Stic]

I been doing three coats of epoxy gloss and 320 that and one wet coat of Kyrstal CV dull then two to three high pressure low volume matt coats.

[C. Johnson]

Eastwood automotive sells a 2K rattle can urethane.  It has two components which mix as you're spraying.  It will be far more durable than any finish you're going to find on the shelf at Home Depot or Lowe's.

I want to say it runs about $25 per can.

[Msturm]

 I used Deft on several self bows a couple years ago. It is a soft finish and does not stand up to wear in the long run.  I am experimenting with several different things, but right now Automotive rim paint or engine enamel is working out.  I cannot recommend it, but so far so good. I can let you know more as my experience with it progresses.