thoughts on True Oil as bow finish

[Justin Falon]

what are your thoughts on true oil as a bamboo/osage bow finish or any bow finish for that matter???  How many coats??

justin

[gwhunter]

As good as it gets.  I would put at least 3 coats on, any more is up to you.  It is very glossy though so you need to hit it with a coat of spar urethan - satin (helmsman is what I use).

[the Ferret]

I usually use about 6 coats, with light 0000 steel wooling between each of the last 3-4 coats.

[dorris]

Turns yellow after a bit

[the Ferret]

Dorris I haven't noticed that on any of mine and some of them are going on 8 years old now. I did notice that yellowing on the bows I sprayed with Spar Urethane which is why I started using Tru-Oil.

[TimZeigler]

Tru oil works great on snake skins because it fills in the gaps with a couple of coats for a nice smooth finish.

[onemississipp]

I have yet to try tru oil, I'm new to the game but just finished a bow with "Formby's® Tung Oil Finish"

I bought the low gloss

Here is a decription from their site..
Applying a finish is essential for protecting stripped, refinished or bare wood from moisture and wear. Formby's® Tung Oil Finish imparts a warm, hand-rubbed lustre to wood, enhancing its natural charm. By hand-rubbing Tung Oil into wood, you eliminate the potential for streaks, ensuring a beautiful, smooth finish. Tung Oil penetrates wood, protecting from the inside out.

Sounds good!!!!!!!

[sidebuster]

Here is one I did about 4 years ago with Tru Oil.  Today it looks just like the day I finished it.  Used about 3 coats.  Tru Oil was orginally made for gun stocks. In fact the only place at that time I could find it was at Gun Shop but now I have seen it at Wal Mart.

 

[the Ferret]

onemissippi..the main difference I've found between tru-oil and tung oil is the drying time for the coats. For me the tru-oil takes about 20-30 mins per coat to dry wheras the tung oil took 9-12 hours per coat.

[Keefer]

I put 8 coats of low gloss Tung- Oil on my Dryad bowblank and used 0000- steel wool and I liked the finish but I will try tru-oil on my next one just because of the drying time.I didn't have any streaks whatsoever! I couldn't find any tru-oil at Wallyworld but did find Tung oil there! Keefers <")))><

[jimneye]

Will it work as an arrow finish?

[rbbhunt]

I have used tru-oil for years on gunstocks with no yellowing.  I sand down to the wood with 600 wet dry paper the first 2-3 coats to get the grain filled and for a satin finish, use 0000 steel wool on the last coat.  gives a nice hand rubbed durable finish.  depending on the wood grain, usually 3-4 coats will fill the wood pores and give a good finish.

[TimZeigler]

Jimneye, I use Tru Oil on my cane shafts, works very well.  I use multiple light coats.

[onemississipp]

The Ferret,
   Thanks for the info on the drying times! To apply a goos four coats of tung oil takes serverl days. The wait is a killer, 12 hours at a time. I will have to get some tru oil.

Thanks again

[onemississipp]

Correction should say " To apply a good four coats"

[Justin Falon]

So, with true oil, ya just rub it on with your fingers or do you use a rag??? Sounds like good stuff!!

justin

[Frank Warnke]

I refinished a gun stock with Tru-Oil 10yrs ago and no cracks or yellowing to this day.  I did go over it with a polishing compound to dull the finish a bit.  

I put some on my finger(s) and then rub it on to the wood.

[gwhunter]

I use a sponge wedge, the kind women rub face make-up on with.  It works beautifully.
Nice and even, with no run.

[BigRonHuntAlot]

The aerosol can TRU-OIL works well too and you do not have to use your fingers... make sure it is used as recommended and the temperature range is very important.

[longbowhntr]

I normally use a rag to rub it on,but have also used just my fingers.
Mickeys drying time has been close to my own times, however the bottle says "allow to dry thoroughly-at least 2 hours."

On the bow I have hunted with the last two years, I think I had 6-7 coats on it over copperhead skins. There is some shine to it but at the beginning of the hunting season, I rubbed bees wax over it to cut the shine. I think I read that suggestion here on tradgang.

David

ps I have used it on some sitka spruce arrows stained with rit dye that have held up pretty well.