Cresting Paint

[SveinD]

Here in Norway, a set of cresting paint with 8 colors, run me about 90$ from an archery shop..
I feel that is horribly expensive, as I can get a 12 set Acrylic paint for about 15$ at some other shop.

My questions are:
Is Acrylic paint ideal for cresting, or should I go for another paint?
Do I need to 'dip' the arrows to seal in the crest afterwards?

I have searched some in PowWow, but never found a clear answer to this, so I thought I'd ask..

BTW, I am looking to paint on wooden POC shafts..
Nothing much, just to get a feel and some practice before I start getting serious  

[jcar315]

Not sure if this helps but Testors model paint is the only type I use for cresting.

Once I crest with Testors I do seal with Minwax water based sealer.

Hope this helps!!

[DennyK]

Testors paint and Minwax polycrylic. And both do not have an overwhelming odor and can be used indoors. They work real well.

[SveinD]

I see on the Testors Homepage that they have Acrylic, Enamel and Lacquer paints..

But what type of paint is this Testors, cause we don't have the same brands here in Norway  

[Grey Taylor]

I use water-based acrylic craft paint exclusively for all my cresting.
After it is dry I seal with 3-4 coats of gasket lacquer, but just about any other clear coat will work fine.

Guy

[DennyK]

Svein, Testors is a hobby paint, and if you are interested in trying it use the enamel.

[greg fields]

testors here also.  never had any problems, thin in out occasionally  and paint.

[Jack Denbow]

I use Testors enamel in the 1/4oz. bottles. When I am finised the arrow I put it back into the crester and brush a water based poly (Minwax Polycritic) over the crest.
Jack

[luvnlongbow]

I use craft shop acrylic (water base)over spray enamal crown. Then dip with PRO-fin and have absolutly no problems. Not sure of the price vs. Testors. I usually pay around $1.10 US for a 2 oz. (US)bottle.

[Shakes.602]

Yeah, what they said! Testors Model Paint works Best, but it is an Oil-Based Enamel that requires an Acetone Based Thinner for Brush Clean up.
  If you can find some Decent Water-Based Paint, that should work Great!! Especially after Sealing the Shaft Afterwards Anyway!! Just Make SURE Its  DRY-DRY-DRY  Before Sealing!!      

[Grey Taylor]

luvnlongbow, keep an eye on Michaels craft store ads. When they put the acrylic craft paint on sale it's around $ .80 a bottle. At that price you can get pretty well stocked in more colors than you can imagine.

Guy

[Tsalagi]

I use acrylic. It works fine.

[rickshot]

Acrylics generally have poor wear qualities, so a clear coat on top would probably be advisable. Paint formulas have changed (keep changing it seems) here in the states. Testors used to be widely available as oil base, so one really has to read the label. Oil base paint is reduced with paint thinner/mineral spirits…and oil base generally wears better than acrylic so clear coat is probably less of an issue. Enjoy, Rick.

[SveinD]

Thanks gang  
I'll be heading to the shops later on to stock up some and start making an arra or two!

[reddogge]

Testors and others make acrylic model paints.  That's what I use.