Finishing ipe

[Christo]

Howdy! I am building a boo backed ipe long bow and am almost to the point of sanding and finishing. I have heard that ipe can be difficult when it comes getting a finish to "set up". Would shelac before a spar urethane combination be an acceptable approach? Curious as to what you all would advise. Also curious as to the merits of paste wax as maintainance. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!

[Russell S.]

shelac then spar worked for me!

[clintopher]

I've used a Massey finish successfully.

[GINKSTER]

Clean with alcohol and use wipe-on poly. Works great!

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Clean with denatured alchohol, DO NOT ACETONE, It may not be compatible with your glue. I don't what you used.
Sand it with about 400 to 600 and wipe it down real good with denatured alchohol and use whatever finish you desire.
Good luck.

[Russell S.]

i tired the above except i cleaned it with acetone, then let it sit for a few hours then denatured alcohol.  then tried SPAR and it didn't cure... sanding it all off, tried again with out the acetone and with shelac first worked like a champ..

[bigcountry]

Originally posted by Christo:
Howdy! I am building a boo backed ipe long bow and am almost to the point of sanding and finishing. I have heard that ipe can be difficult when it comes getting a finish to "set up". Would shelac before a spar urethane combination be an acceptable approach? Curious as to what you all would advise. Also curious as to the merits of paste wax as maintainance. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!

Yep, this is what I do.  I put about 5 coats of spar on afterwards.  Seems to do the trick

[Christo]

Thanks for all the input!!! Much appreciated! Any thoughts on paste wax as maintaiance afterwords?

[Christo]

I believe thats "maintainance"...oops.

[bamboo]

paste wax will protect spar nicely--i use car wax--turtle wax