I'm about to build a bow using Wenge and Bocote and I've heard Bocote is difficult to finish. Any tips? I've heard one about covering it with CYA first. Where would I get that much? Any other tips?

hobby stores would have larger containers of CA glue. a thin application would seal the wood to let your finish adhere to the glue.

hope this helps.

Thanks. I just thought of that too. I'll check them out.

A little bit goes a long way..buy it in the little tubes..

With bocote, you will need to prep it for finish like you would for gluing.  The oils in the wood will inhibit the finishes like polys, CA and such.  Prior to applying finish, scrub it down real good with alcohol or mineral spirits so the finish will adhere to the wood.  Normal rule of thumb is to keep scrubbing till you don't see anymore staining on your rag.

Has anyone ever tried sanding sealer on these types of wood?

Automotive clearcoat will dry on it, but is very glossy. And you can't spray poly over it, don't ask how I know this.    

I know a bowmaker who uses clearcoat and buffs with 0000 steel wool to desired satin finish.

I have an all bocote Robertson I need to repair and reseal. I have avoided that project for the same reason this thread was started!

I have had real good luch with using superglue as a sealer on Bocot.e.  Finish sand, seal, and finish as any other wood,

I've had good luck with Deft Clear Wood Finish - Waterborne acrylic finish (white can) on bocote.

I shoot TBird on bocote all the time and have no problems.  Just wipe it down right before application with zylene.  Make sure you do it right before cause additional oils will migrate to the surface fairly quickly.  Same goes with cocobola and a few other oily woods.

What other woods should I watch out for?

I just spray bocote never have a problem.
wipe it down first.

I've had some of the same issues with cocobolo.  Both are beatuiful wood so worth a little more work I think.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bob Sarrels:
I shoot TBird on bocote all the time and have no problems.  Just wipe it down right before application with zylene.  Make sure you do it right before cause additional oils will migrate to the surface fairly quickly.  Same goes with cocobola and a few other oily woods.

If Bob is giving out secretes I would listen.

I use the tbird high solids sealer on all my risers and tips. It will seal cocobolo and bacote and fill open grain woods as wenge. Brush on a coat or two and sand it off. It's alot less expensive than superglue and my fingers don't get stuck to my nose anymore! Mike

You will need a filler for the Wenge, 3lb cut shellac will fill the Wenge, and the Bocote and all finishes will stick to it.  Dries very quickly also.  The Shellac also doesn't give off Cyanide fumes.

Semper Fi,
Dan Raney