I do some backyard beekeeping so I have a virtually unlimited supply of beeswax. I got a little practice making pyramid bows by making a couple 48" bows for my boys (ages 5 & 7). For them, I just rubbed some beeswax that I softened with grapeseed oil (normally use on boots & bowstrings) on the bow to finish it. I figured for the kids bows, it would be fine. But I like the natural look of it, too. Any idea how this would hold up on a "grownup" bow? These bows are all red oak pyramid bows. Any idea how beeswax would work on cedar arrows? Would melting and applying unsoftened wax be more durable from a weather standpoint? Or should I just pick up some sort of lacquer or varnish and be done with it?
Again, my supply is unlimited and free. Our local climate is hot, dry summers and cool, humid winters (CA central valley).
Wax and oil finishes have been around for a long time. They work OK but generally have to be replenished often. It will be hard to get fletching to stick to a wax finish but you could wrap the feathers in place.
I used paraffin wax on a osage selfbow.
Melt the wax in a pan, brush it on.
I used a heat gun on the bow just enough to keep the wax melted. Keep brushing it on and the bow sucks it up.
Rub off what wont go in to the bow.
I would think it would add to much weight to the arrows.