What spray finish is best with snake skins?

[Michael Arnette]

What type of finish would you recommend for applying over snakeskins? I've done this once before with good results but the finish cracked slightly and I would like recommendations on the best spray finish.

[TOEJAMMER]

I'm no expert but I think a few coats of Truoil would work and eliminate the cracking issue.  Others with more knowledge will chime in, I'm sure.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Hard to beat Helmsman clear satin.

[Tater]

Tru-oil...x2

[Masham Man]

I use several thin coats of tru-oil and then a few coats of the helmsmans satin spar urethane to cut down on the shine. I've done a recurve and 2 selfbows with this method and the finish still looks great.  

[Michael Arnette]

Where do I get tru-oil?

[Preston Lay]

Michael you should be able to get it at Sports World in Tulsa. Its used mostly for gun stock finishes so you can get at most gun shops.

[Ulysseys]

3 rivers should have it too

[Fattony77]

Hey, Michael. Tru-oil (like Preston said) is a gun stock oil and is often available at Wal-Mart. But, is a rub-on. I've never seen it in a spray, so I'm not sure if it's available as a spray. You might give Terry Lightle a call when they get back from their trip on Monday, to see if he has any advice for sprays. Or, if you'd like, I could ask a couple of the OSS members what they use.

[ranger 3]

Tru-oil...x3

[nashoba]

On glass backed bows that I've done I did  a couple coats of spray on helmsman and then finished it with Thunderbird Epoxy. You need the poly first so that the epoxy has something to stick to.

[YORNOC]

Spray Varathane works excellent too.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Oil finishes can crack on occasion because they are oils and designed to soak in to work properly. The skins wont allow that so it hardens up on skin only. Most times it works great, but here and there it cracks.  

Tru Oil is available in a rattle can if you go that route.

[Eric Krewson]

I have put skins on at least 20 bows, my formula is 5 or 6 rubbed on thin coats of tru-oil followed by 2 light coats of satin spar urethane.

This has been a very durable finish with no cracking.

I have seen bows that had the tru-oil built up to look as slick as glass, they looked great but I haven't tried to apply that much finish on any of my bows.

[Brock]

I spray with varathane but have to put it on thin..no more than 3-4 even coats or it will eventually crack when shooting bow in few years.  Easy to remove and do over depending on adhesive used.

[YORNOC]

I agree with Brock, I do the same. After the finish cures, I put Butcher's Wax on them, rubbing with the grain only. Makes for one tough, hard finish. Every year I wax it at least once, or if I know wet weather is coming.
Turpentine takes the wax right off if you want to refinish for any reason.