Hi, What do you guys use to stop your feathers becoming all bedraggled ans soaked when hunting in the rain? I have tried a plastic bag, but since the air is so damp, it doesn't keep them dry, tried hair lacquer, doesn't work and even the powder you shake on the feathers, all the same results
Thanks
Soakem in a bucket of water before your next practice session you might find that the right arrow will perform ok when drenched. Not an answer just an alternative [emoji106]
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I used to use dry fly spray. I'll be honest I don't use anything anymore. If it's wet I just do something else
The best stuff, hands down, that I have ever used to waterproof feathers is the Rustoleum Never-Wet product. It comes in a two-can set and costs around $20. The picture below is from my caribou hunt last year. These treated feathers were in the pouring rain for an entire day and they still look almost brand new.
(https://i.imgur.com/UAMEHAh.jpg)
Darren
Darren, does that make the feathers stiffer?
Roy, it does initially but you can work them with your hand a little bit to soften them up. Over time, they soften up by themselves. I never noticed any difference in arrow flight but I never shot anything past 20 yards either.
Darren
Thanks.
Dhaverstick- interesting idea, how did you apply? Before feather mounting? Build arrow, then brush on?
The stuff I'm talking about comes in two spray cans. You spray the base coat on, let it dry, and then spray the top coat on.
You can watch the videos of people waterproofing stuff with Never-Wet and it looks like magic. I've seen it in person and it looks the same way! A friend of mine held a treated arrow under the runoff from his canopy during a toad-strangler. It was like the feathers had a force field around them! The water just bounced off. Damndest thing I'd ever seen!
The downside is it does make your feathers stiff but I never noticed it affecting my arrow flight. And it's the only thing I've ever used that works as well as it does.
Darren
Dry silicone works great. I spray the whole arrow, broadheads, shaft and feathers. Helps with penetration and broadband won't rust.
Works great
I know a probably not oughta do. :-))
Many years ago I read a suggestion about using hairspray to waterproof feathers. I'm talking wood arrows and Duco cement.
I don't know if it worked on the feathers or not because it seems the hairspray affected the glue and the feathers became unfletched. :goldtooth:
If it's raining on me when bowhunting it's cause I got caught out in the rain. I don't plan getting intentionally wet except in a warm shower at night. :laugh:
Never heard of the two part thing. You say it stiffens feathers but doesn't affect flight. Are you shooting off shelf? If it collapses just enough to be of use and waterproofs like you say that sounds like a good deal.
The down side is in thicker cover it's not great anyway to hunt in rain.
I spray mine with Campdry. Works great.
Quote from: Yooper-traveler on October 11, 2018, 10:50:56 AM
I spray mine with Campdry. Works great.
Ditto!! Works great and no smell once it is dry.
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Ditto!! Works great and no smell once it is dry.
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True. Although I don't seem to need it this year. When it stops raining it goes straight into snow.
Thanks guys for your ideas. I've ordered some heavy duty waterproofing spray and will try that. I don't always plan to hunt in the rain, but as I live in the south of France, when it rains here, Boy, does it come down and the weather forecast isn't always correct. We don't tend to get showers here, it's downpours and then the air is so damp that the feathers become all bedraggled. You fellas are so lucky in that you have access to many more products than we do down here for this sort of thing. I know that stuff can be bought online but the shipping charges often make it ridiculously expensive (ie, the Rustoleum never Wet is $136 PLUS shipping)
I use the powder stuff. You just need to shake off the extra or you get a puff the first shot or two
Quote from: Wheels2 on October 12, 2018, 08:34:08 AM
I use the powder stuff. You just need to shake off the extra or you get a puff the first shot or two
I use that too. Works great.
I've used a spray called NoSnow for years, but can't seem to find it anymore. It worked great. If you can find a can, I highly recommend it.
I've used this stuff....works pretty good.
[attachment=1]
I have used both liquid and powder and had acceptable results with both. It does make the feather a little stiff, but arrow flight was still good. Its not as much an issue now, as I don't stay out in the rain these days.
I solved the problem, I never hunt in the rain I don't have to worry about loosening the blood trail. :biglaugh:
Go to Home Depot to the paint department and get some Rust-Oleum Never Wet Outdoor Fabric water proofing spray. Follow the instructions, they give reference to temperatures and humidity levels, you need to spray them outdoors and let dry 24 hours. The feathers need to not be touching anything while drying so figure out how you're going to prop the arrows up for drying. You can thank me later;-)
Seems like I heard of that stuff somewhere David. Hope it doesn't tighten the blood trail. :bigsmyl:
Want to try one of these Rustoleum Never Wet products, but not sure which one to try... Looked online and there are multiple options... old_goat2 says "Outdoor Fabric"and dhaverstick says 2-part type... Can anyone clarify?
Haven't used but the one version, it's easy to apply in one step and I've had arrows sitting in the grass at my archery club for over a month and through two heavy wet spring blizzards and still looked like it's companion mates in my quiver!
Thanks Dave... Think I'll try the Never Wet Outdoor Fabric water proofing spray first... Much obliged...
Dave - Found some Rust-Oleum Never Wet "Fabric"water proofing spray at Lowes, and on the lisle said "Outdoor Fabric", yet on the bottle only says "Fabric" is this the same stuff?