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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Christo on December 05, 2009, 09:06:00 AM

Title: Finishing ipe
Post by: Christo on December 05, 2009, 09:06:00 AM
Howdy! I am building a boo backed ipe long bow and am almost to the point of sanding and finishing. I have heard that ipe can be difficult when it comes getting a finish to "set up". Would shelac before a spar urethane combination be an acceptable approach? Curious as to what you all would advise. Also curious as to the merits of paste wax as maintainance. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: Russell S. on December 05, 2009, 09:20:00 AM
shelac then spar worked for me!
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: clintopher on December 05, 2009, 05:01:00 PM
I've used a Massey finish successfully.
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: GINKSTER on December 05, 2009, 06:05:00 PM
Clean with alcohol and use wipe-on poly. Works great!
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: Stiks-n-Strings on December 05, 2009, 07:37:00 PM
Clean with denatured alchohol, DO NOT ACETONE, It may not be compatible with your glue. I don't what you used.
Sand it with about 400 to 600 and wipe it down real good with denatured alchohol and use whatever finish you desire.
Good luck.
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: Russell S. on December 05, 2009, 08:14:00 PM
i tired the above except i cleaned it with acetone, then let it sit for a few hours then denatured alcohol.  then tried SPAR and it didn't cure... sanding it all off, tried again with out the acetone and with shelac first worked like a champ..
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: bigcountry on December 05, 2009, 10:36:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Christo:
Howdy! I am building a boo backed ipe long bow and am almost to the point of sanding and finishing. I have heard that ipe can be difficult when it comes getting a finish to "set up". Would shelac before a spar urethane combination be an acceptable approach? Curious as to what you all would advise. Also curious as to the merits of paste wax as maintainance. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!
Yep, this is what I do.  I put about 5 coats of spar on afterwards.  Seems to do the trick
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: Christo on December 05, 2009, 11:50:00 PM
Thanks for all the input!!! Much appreciated! Any thoughts on paste wax as maintaiance afterwords?
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: Christo on December 05, 2009, 11:53:00 PM
I believe thats "maintainance"...oops.
Title: Re: Finishing ipe
Post by: bamboo on December 06, 2009, 06:12:00 AM
paste wax will protect spar nicely--i use car wax--turtle wax