In my defense I have read through a ton of posts dating back years. From what I gather the most common and recommended finishes are T-Bird, Big Jim's Buffalo, Krystal and for the big box store finishes, Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. Put bluntly I be's broke folk and can't afford the most recommended finishes so I will focus my question on the box store stuff.

Helmsman seems to be the only one mentioned by name but will any oil base Spar Urethane work or is there something about the Helmsman specifically?

It is what they use on things like wooden floor pickup bed restoration and is the outdoor stuff. I am sure other like products should work.

Thank Mike, I would think they would as well.

Some of that spar finish tuns a yellowish color when dry.

Just paint the damn thing Purty Girly Pink, ya know ya want too:)

Lonnie, 

Been where you are at!  I did finally break down and go with T-Bird this past summer, but for several years I worked with the box store stuff.  I found for me VHT wheel paint and the Helmsman Spar worked the best.  I think the VHT is a little more durable.  I also filled grain on my risers and limb edges using 3-4 coats of tru-oil before spraying with the spray.  It is a little time consuming as it takes several days to finish a bow but I never was in that big of hurry.  When I sprayed, I followed instructions on the can and tried not to get too much on at once.

BTW - for spraying T-bird, the cheap spray gun from Harbor Freight works pretty well.  It can be had for $10 when it goes on sale.

Mitch

You can get quite a few bows from one quart can of thunderbird.

8 to 10 I think or more.

Prolly be about the same money wise compared to buying a bunch of spray cans to finish many bows.

Honestly how much time are your bows going to spend laying in the sun or out in the rain? If your not selling the bow, it's not a deal breaker.
I have used a lot of varnish on exterior wood and it don't last more than a couple of years in the sun.
If your not going to use a 2k finish, then use whatever is easiest to re-coat or remove.
You can get 2k auto clear in a spray can for about $20. or better yet get some conversion varnish in a quart kit from a paint store like Sherwin or whoever is in your area.
Check out this marine varnish test: https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_9/features/exterior_wood_10576-1.html

I have been using vinyl sealer & pre-cat lacquer ,I love the stuff I think probably $20 for both rattle can , I really wanted to go to conversion varnish but just wasn't set up for it ,but pre-cat lacquer is just below it in durability !

T-Bird, Big Jims Buffalo and Krystal will dry when applied oily woods, Spar Urethane will not cure over Oily woods....unless you first apply dewaxed shellac over the bow. I am pretty sure Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane has a UV protection additive where other Spar Urethanes may not? I have a few 10 year old bows with Helmsman on them. Seems like I got 3 bows from a single $8 spray can of Helmsman.

I have mixed mineral oil with stain.  Its cheap.

Well I picked up some Spar Urethane tonight and gave it a shot. I have a lot to learn about using a spray gun... that's all I'm sayin' 

Ya got runs didn't ya?

Practice on a scrap piece.

3 or 4 light coats, a little more paint with each coat, waiting about 5 minutes between each coat.

Go to youtube and search for painting with spray guns and setting them up.

What kind of spray gun?

Try Krystal. It's cheap, easy to spray, and durable.

Haven't found any runs yet. The riser is ok but the limbs I laid on a box to spray just the backs and edges, it kind of looks like I poured table laquer on them. I have a feeling they will crack like crazy when I draw the bow. But hey, I will have lots of time to watch those you tube videos while sanding all that finish off 

It's a Husky spray gun from the box store.

Multiple thin coats. You could prob wipe the glass with acetone to clean it.

You should have the pieces to be painted hanging vertically.

Quote from: Roy from Pa on January 22, 2019, 11:39:26 AM
You can get quite a few bows from one quart can of thunderbird.

8 to 10 I think or more.

Prolly be about the same money wise compared to buying a bunch of spray cans to finish many bows.

A little correction you can get at least 10 bows from a pint kit maybe a couple more you look at a cost of about $6 per bow. from a pint of Thunderbird.   No expensive spray gun needed a $25 gun from Harbor Freight will work

OK, let me correct that too:)

A pint kit equals one quart..

And like David said, it amounts to about $6.00 per bow.

You will pay darn near $6.00 for a spray can of spar.

You won't find a better finish for a bow than thunderbird..

Quote from: Roy from Pa on January 23, 2019, 06:31:08 AM
OK, let me correct that too:)

A pint kit equals one quart..

And like David said, it amounts to about $6.00 per bow.

You will pay darn near $6.00 for a spray can of spar.

You won't find a better finish for a bow than thunderbird..

I need to shop where you live Roy, rattle cans of Spar here are about $11

Thank you all for the input. It looks like I will need to order up some T-Bird next time I get my allowance (I guess I'll have to do my chores now).