Waterproofing feathers

[Colin06]

Hi, What do you guys use to stop your feathers becoming all bedraggled ans soaked when hunting in the rain? I have tried a plastic bag, but since the air is so damp, it doesn't keep them dry, tried hair lacquer, doesn't work and even the powder you shake on the feathers, all the same results
Thanks

[Possum Head]

Soakem in a bucket of water before your next practice session you might find that the right arrow will perform ok when drenched. Not an answer just an alternative


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[Bowguy67]

I used to use dry fly spray. I’ll be honest I don’t use anything anymore. If it’s wet I just do something else

[dhaverstick]

The best stuff, hands down, that I have ever used to waterproof feathers is the Rustoleum Never-Wet product. It comes in a two-can set and costs around $20. The picture below is from my caribou hunt last year. These treated feathers were in the pouring rain for an entire day and they still look almost brand new.


Darren

[Roy from Pa]

Darren, does that make the feathers stiffer?

[dhaverstick]

Roy, it does initially but you can work them with your hand a little bit to soften them up. Over time, they soften up by themselves. I never noticed any difference in arrow flight but I never shot anything past 20 yards either.

Darren

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks.

[toddster]

Dhaverstick- interesting idea, how did you apply?  Before feather mounting?  Build arrow, then brush on?

[dhaverstick]

The stuff I'm talking about comes in two spray cans. You spray the base coat on, let it dry, and then spray the top coat on.

You can watch the videos of people waterproofing stuff with Never-Wet and it looks like magic. I've seen it in person and it looks the same way! A friend of mine held a treated arrow under the runoff from his canopy during a toad-strangler. It was like the feathers had a force field around them! The water just bounced off. Damndest thing I'd ever seen!

The downside is it does make your feathers stiff but I never noticed it affecting my arrow flight. And it's the only thing I've ever used that works as well as it does.

Darren

[HOGLESS2]

Dry silicone works great. I spray the whole arrow, broadheads, shaft and feathers. Helps with penetration and broadband won't rust.
Works great

[Rufus]

  I know a probably not oughta do. :-))
Many years ago I read a suggestion about using hairspray to waterproof feathers. I'm talking wood arrows and Duco cement.
 I don't know if it worked on the feathers or not because it seems the hairspray affected the glue and the feathers became unfletched. 
If it's raining on me when bowhunting it's cause I got caught out in the rain. I don't plan getting intentionally wet except in a warm shower at night. 

[Bowguy67]

Never heard of the two part thing. You say it stiffens feathers but doesn’t affect flight. Are you shooting off shelf? If it collapses just enough to be of use and waterproofs like you say that sounds like a good deal.
The down side is in thicker cover it’s not great anyway to hunt in rain.

[Yooper-traveler]

I spray mine with Campdry. Works great.

[MIBIGHNTR]

I spray mine with Campdry. Works great.

Ditto!!  Works great and no smell once it is dry.

[Yooper-traveler]

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Ditto!!  Works great and no smell once it is dry.

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True.  Although I don’t seem to need it this year.  When it stops raining it goes straight into snow.

[Colin06]

Thanks guys for your ideas. I've ordered some heavy duty waterproofing spray and will try that. I don't always plan to hunt in the rain, but as I live in the south of France, when it rains here, Boy, does it come down and the weather forecast isn't always correct. We don't tend to get showers here, it's downpours and then the air is so damp that the feathers become all bedraggled. You fellas are so lucky in that you have access to many more products than we do down here for this sort of thing. I know that stuff can be bought online but the shipping charges often make it ridiculously expensive (ie, the Rustoleum never Wet is $136 PLUS shipping)

[Wheels2]

I use the powder stuff.  You just need to shake off the extra or you get a puff the first shot or two

[David Mitchell]

I use the powder stuff.  You just need to shake off the extra or you get a puff the first shot or two

I use that too.  Works great.

[stagetek]

I've used a spray called NoSnow for years, but can't seem to find it anymore. It worked great. If you can find a can, I highly recommend it.

[Zradix]

I've used this stuff....works pretty good.