I have been working on a 68" longbow, the riser is a combination of cobolo, and bolivian rosewood (padua). Lambs of maple (core) and bacote under clear glass. Got it all sanded down to 400 grit and used Minwax wipe on poly, 4 days later it wasnt dry and wasnt going to. So I used steel wool on it and removed the wipe on poly, replaced that with Minwax spray polyurethane. Same deal after 4-5 days still not dry. Just about have it steel wool clean again, Question is

Whats next, use the super glue wipe on technique and then maybe the spray poly again?

I thought about Birchwood Casey tru oil but a gun stockmaker said its the rosewood, it wouldnt dry either.

I would really appreciate a suggestion here from others with similar situations

Thanks

Mike  

Try Deft polly in pray can it will dry on any wood

I've had problems with deft polyurethane with cocobolo (black and grey can) but had good luck with deft "clear wood finish" (white and green can).

Coco is oily. I use superglue over the coco. I just squirt a little on and spread it with an artist brush. Then I lightly steel wool it and spray it with Minwax spar urethane satin. I have one hanging right now.

I had to do the same as horatio, mine was a recurve with cocobolo veneers and I did the superglue and light sanding twice. I also used Minwax Spar Urethane, I gave it 3 days to dry, and it did.

super glue like the others have said.  bout three to four coats and then your standard coats of truoil or spray.  

Shawn

Cheaper to use Shellac as a sealer than super glue.  Don't get the fumes either.

Dan

I use thunderbird and have not had a problem.

BigJim

I have not built a bow as of yet but do have extensive wood working experience and can tell you that you need to clean the cocobola with something like denatured alcohol or something similar. Do not use anything oil based like mineral spirits. Alot of exotic woods are very oily and what you want to do is remove all the surface oil possible and get a good sealer coat on it. I would something like Deft clear wood finish or something of the nature again nothing oil based.
I have looked at the Thunderbird finsh that BigJim suggested and read up on it and think it would do a wonderful job, I myself would not be afraid to use it on cocobola.
Goodluck and when it's done let's see some pics.
Kris

I used a shellac on a Bocote bow once, and while it worked to seal it, I didn't like how amber it colored up (and yes, I got the "clear" shellac - I don't know how they can market it as clear, it doesn't look that way after a couple coats...)

I'm honestly half tempted to sand it all off and use superglue this time around, as I found it tends to keep the natural color of the wood more.

Min-wax spray lacquer will also work.  You have  a tripple whammy in that one, because coco, rosewood, and bocote can be hard to finish because of the oils.

Thanks for all the generous replys, I will get it done, and post a pic, caught a lil cold and dont feel like playing at the moment.

Mike