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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: macbow on December 06, 2012, 06:52:00 AM

Title: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: macbow on December 06, 2012, 06:52:00 AM
For those who spay finish on bows, how do you hang or support the bow?
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: twospots on December 06, 2012, 09:51:00 AM
I'm horible... First, I use poly in a can not nything special in a sprayer or air gun. If its warm out i lean bow against the house with cardboard under the tip and against the wall. Spray belly, let dry for 2 hours, then carefully take it in to dry 24 hrs. repeat on the other side. Bad I know.
If its cold, I lay the bow back down across corner of work table in basement (use a mask) (covered work table of course) spay on, then leave and let dry, flip and repeat. So far this works out fairly well for me, but I KNOW that's not the best idea.. BUT, I never have a string or anything sticking to the bow, or covering anything that I have to spray over later etc...
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: Robertfishes on December 06, 2012, 11:16:00 AM
I hang bow from a hook screwed into ceiling of spray booth.. i start by hanging bow from bottom string groove using a piece of string..after spray finishing everything but the bottom tip I let bow finish dry and hang bow from top tip and finish the bottom tip. I run a dehumidifier in the Spray booth after I turn exhaust fan off. The dehumidifier brings the temp up and pulls a lot of moisture out of air.. I am in Florida and humidity is always high
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: macbow on December 06, 2012, 12:51:00 PM
I've done the string in the past with spray can.
Going to up grade to a,larger air powered sprayer.
I'm considering leaving the upper overlay longer and,drilling,a,hole, using that for tying up for spraying. After it would a tie point for a wind indicator.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 06, 2012, 12:52:00 PM
For a bow that will have a grip on it I use this contraption:)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/IMG_7324.jpg)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/IMG_7323.jpg)

Video below, click on picture.

 (http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/th_MVI_7325.jpg) (http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/MVI_7325.mp4)
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: Tom Leemans on December 06, 2012, 04:01:00 PM
Roy - Simple, effective, brilliant!
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: twospots on December 06, 2012, 04:16:00 PM
Nice Roy
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 06, 2012, 04:17:00 PM
Yup that's me, Tom...  Simple, effective, brilliant.  :laughing:
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: macbow on December 06, 2012, 04:47:00 PM
I like that Roy. I don't plan to wrap these handles so I need to do something like that holding by the very tips.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: bigbob2 on December 06, 2012, 05:29:00 PM
while we are on this subject, how would an airbrush go for applying finish and if so what would be suitable?. i imagine it would need to be thinned to use.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: macbow on December 06, 2012, 05:54:00 PM
Min wax poly... is what a friend uses. About 3 or 4 coats of gloss and a coat,or two of satin.

Don't think he thins it. Uses a $49 sprayer from Grizzly.

As soon as I make space I plan to,give it a go.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: bigbob2 on December 06, 2012, 11:23:00 PM
I currently use minwax wipe on poly but wanted to get the extra smoothness from a spray. also didnt want to get a big compressor to add to the clutter in my workshop so thought a small airbrush compressor and brush might be what I want. Dont think we get the grizzly make over here.Like your holding gadget too Roy.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 07, 2012, 12:00:00 AM
I have seen where guys have drilled a tiny hole in the belly side of the bow tip, on the outward side of the string groove, then hung the bow up with a stiff thin piece of wire. Then after the spray job has dried, they use a tooth pick to dab the same type of coating into the hole.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: SportHunter on December 07, 2012, 10:59:00 AM
I put a hook in the ceiling and hang a heavy weight fishing line with a loop so I can hang the bow by the nock while spraying. After a few coats I'll flip it to get the other nock. Make sure you get the heavy weight line, its not fun to watch a bow hit the floor.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: Jim Rocole on December 07, 2012, 11:12:00 AM
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/RocoleJ/P1010005-5.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/RocoleJ/P1010004-7.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/RocoleJ/P1010002-8.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/RocoleJ/P1010003-9.jpg)

I use a bolt to hand the riser and coat hangars to hang the limbs. I mix TBird and spray 6 coats with the sprayer.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: macbow on December 07, 2012, 12:08:00 PM
Jim, I checked out the preval on line.
How long does one unit last?
How long have you used it?
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: Jim Rocole on December 07, 2012, 12:30:00 PM
This is the first time I've used it. Lot less to deal with than a HVLP sprayer. I have 12 coats (2-5 oz) on these two bows and that will probably be it for the unit. I picked it up at Menards for $6. no clean up to speak of which I really like. I sprayed six coats last night. Put my weight and info on bow and then 6 coats today. I ran thinner thru it last night. So far so good. I have some Big Jim Buffalo Hide coming and will be interested to see how that goes. I don't forsee any issues though.
Title: Re: Spraying finish on bows
Post by: 7 Lakes on December 08, 2012, 01:49:00 PM
I recomend the Preval to my customers that purchase blanks with Cocobolo, Ipe or other woods that have to be sprayed.  Always have an extra can, sometimes the spray will dry in the nozzle and can't be removed, even by following Preval's directions.