When using helsman spar urethane do you apply a few/several light coats within the 1 1/2 hour time frame, as directed on the can, and let it go at that; or, do you apply a coat or two and wait 72 hours for it to fully cure, as also directed on the can, then steel wool/sand and recoat? Need to know how the pros. do it. Thanks.
I am no pro, But the finish process is my favorite part. When I used Spar Urethane, I would let it cure and sand in between coats, it takes a while to complete a bow this way. It was the same for epoxy finish, it takes two days for that stuff to cure before you can sand.
I do the same as Dano. I usually put at least 6 coats on. One coat, then re-spray within an hour. Let dry and buff with OOOO steel wool. And more coats. But I also use mostly white wood and with the humidity in WV in the summer you need all the help you can get!
Aaron
Thank you very much. Don't mind it taking as long as it takes. It is the outcome that matters to me, and I just wanted to get it right. Yea, a little on the moist side down this way also.
Barry
I follow the directions on the can though I've never had to wait 72 hours. Spar urethane is the only exterior finish I hear talked about for bows. It is worth the wait. Jawge
Mr. George, I agree, especially since I do not have access to a spray set up. I have used on two bows, after applying five to six coats of tru-oil to the wooden parts, and have been pleased with both. The only down side I see is the fragrance kinda hangs around for a while.
Barry,I live in North Central Florida and have high humidity too. I have used Spar on 3 bows in the last 5 weeks. I have a 8 x 10 room that I spray finish and glue bows in. I bought a used $35 dehumidifier just for bow building. I turn the dehumidifier for more than an hour before I spray the first coat. I also pull in airconditioned air thru a set of filters when spraying. The dehumidifier makes the room warm and dry and I have it on a timer and leave it on for 6 hours after I spray. I spray on at least 5 coats with about 15 minutes between each one. I wait about 3 days then hit the bow with some 0000 steel wool Have not had any problems with the finish, but on the next one I'm gonna use Spar Gloss then after 3 days use the steel wool and spray it with several coats of Spar Satin.
All I use are the can and the spray Minwax Helmsman spar urethane (satin and gloss). The spray dries faster and you can usually put on another coat after 2 hours or so. If applying by hand out of the can, I let each coat dry four hours. Drying time depends on RH and temperature.
I sand as needed. Some coats need and others do not. I use 400 and 600 grit paper.
How about when refinishing a glass backed bow?
Yea Robertfishes, I have been giving some thought to starting out with gloss and finishing up with satin this time. I have read gloss is a harder finish. Could be the gloss might be all binder; whereas, the satin has to contain some type of pigment or it wouldn't be satin. Don't have a clue, but sounds good anyway.
Wonder if gloss would work better on oily wood for sealer,might not have to superglue first?
QuoteHow about when refinishing a glass backed bow?
I've used it on several vintage bows and it works works fine on those.
(http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz359/shm5/fgcriserviews3.jpg)
I sprayed it on a bow at MOJam (one of the hot years)and it was ready to sand in a half hour.
:eek: I'm not sayin' I'm just sayin'.
Tom, sounds about right for spray urethane. It dries fast in hot and/or dry weather.