Hello all,
Have a question maybe some of you with more wisdom or experience can answer.
I plan on making my first set of wood arrows and was curious if the crown dip paint must be paint used for arrows (Bohning or True North) or could I use an acrylic from the hardware store?

I use rustoleum enamel in the spray can. Never had any issues. Mike vines has a how to on YouTube that is very good. 

I've used acrylic paint in a dip tube and Krylon spray on wood arrows with good results.

Get water base paint and mix half with water and you can apply it like a stain. If you are just using straight paint and whatever color you want use a white base it will make the color over it brighter.

I used to  Dip them until my Dip tanks got thrown in the trash. Now use a acrylic spray paint. If its not as shinny as you want use a clear over it. Use a painters tape to cover the areas you don't want to spray. Works pretty good.

Rich K

I agree about using white as a base before spraying another color over them.

I tape off where I want my crown to begin, then stain, let dry for 24 hours. Then take tape off and tape the stained section of my arrows. Then I use Rustolem acrylic spray paint for my crown, then let dry for no less then 24 hours. Then I dip them, crest first, into a water based urethane in dipping tubes. Let dry for 24 hours then lightly hit with 000 steal wool. Then I paint on the crest using a Spin Rite Creator machine. let dry for 24 hours. Then dip broadhead side of the arrow first into the dipping tubes of urethane, let dry for 24 hours and hit with the 000 steal wool. Then dip for a third time in urethane broadhead side first again. I hang and let dry for 24 hours. I then hit again with the 000 steal wool, then finish with 0000 steal wool. This way my entire arrow is sealed.

Yea good points Zwickey. Cure time and sanding is really important. Take your time and follow the manufactures instructions.

Ho yea and do not forget to clean them well in between steps.

Rich K

Thank you for all the help folks. I feel better now about getting after it!

John,
Looks like a really simple sequence, without the odor of some finishes.  How well does the water based urethane handle target burn?

That is the only thing with poly.  Target burn is bad. 

Target burn is why I changed from water based finishes to Pro Fin.  I'd rather deal with the smell then the target burn.

What paint can you use under the pro fin for cresting? Can you use Testors paint?

Quote from: Walt Francis on May 23, 2020, 10:33:55 PM
John,
Looks like a really simple sequence, without the odor of some finishes.  How well does the water based urethane handle target burn?

I do get target burn but not as much using Varathane water base urethane. And that I do get I just touch up with some 000 steal wool after yanking them from my target. Haha. But if I had a well vented area I would be using the smelly stuff. But i have found the Varathane water base urethane is quite durable. I seen a video from Mike Vines here on TG and I basically use his steps and methods.

Could you tell me where I could find that Mike Vines vid?

Wow lot of info here. Try and keep it simple. I was pretty confused on what materials to use.

Any way to make a long story short. I ended up calling Raptor Archery. https://raptorarchery.com/  (sponsor here) he helped me with what I needed. Simple. Was like 15 years ago. I have one arrow left from the first dozen.

For some reason I cant post  attachments with photos from my new phone. will figure it out later.

Here is a link to my Flickr account. https://www.flickr.com/photos/155860989@N03/49942115298/in/datetaken-public/


Good Luck,
Rich K.