Snakeskin finish - Tru oil vs. Tung oil

dinorocks · September 26, 2011, 03:00:00 PM

I'm to the finishing stage of my first snakeskin backing project (osage selfbow) and wanted to pool the experts on the preferred finish...Tru oil or Tung oil? I searched the forum and saw suggestions going both ways... I personally like to use Tung oil on my bows and arrows (again, new to the snakeskins).

Thanks!

Dino

jvermast · September 26, 2011, 04:04:00 PM

As far as I know and from what I have used, unless you use Polymerized Tung Oil you won't get a high luster finish.

Tru-oil will give you that high luster.

So depending what you are going for, take that into account.

PEARL DRUMS · September 26, 2011, 04:07:00 PM

I have used both for skins and Tru Oil is the only way for me. Its thicker and seems to give a smoother finish over the "scales".

Osagetree · September 26, 2011, 04:08:00 PM

Tru oil will help smooth the surface of your skins.

dinorocks · September 26, 2011, 06:51:00 PM

Thanks for your thoughts. I would like to be able to "smooth" the skins out but am not looking for a high gloss. I have never used Tru oil...can I dull the finish up a bit with steel wool?

jvermast · September 26, 2011, 07:19:00 PM

You can spray/wipe on a coat of poly over the Tru Oil which should dull it down. Or steel wool it

scrub-buster · September 26, 2011, 07:51:00 PM

A coat of satin spray poly over the tru oil will dull it.

Jermcramp1 · September 27, 2011, 09:01:00 AM

Dumb question guys, I can only find tung oil at lowes and the Hd, where do I find Tru oil?

Stiks-n-Strings · September 27, 2011, 10:43:00 AM

Used to you get it a wally world and the likes. Seems real hard to find anymore.

You can get it from several of our sponsors. I think Raptor archery carries it. Might also try looking at a gun shop since it was mainly used to finish gunstocks. I think Birchwood Casey is who makes it.

Art B · September 27, 2011, 10:48:00 AM

It's basically a gun stock finish, so try a gun or sporting goods store....Art

PEARL DRUMS · September 27, 2011, 11:33:00 AM

Any on-line trad shop usually has it fur sale.

Stingray45 · September 27, 2011, 12:59:00 PM

I've heard of alot of guys putting on tru-oil and rubbing the bow down lightly with steel wool in between each coat. I've never used it but actually about to finish up my first skin application on an osage bow and I have been planning to use tru-oil.

scrub-buster · September 27, 2011, 01:09:00 PM

That is the way I do it. Apply a thin coat, let it dry, lightly sand with 0000 steel wool, wipe the dust off, then apply another coat. I have had good results with 5-6 coats. Some guys use more, and some less. I pour a small amount into a gatorade bottle lid and use a cosmetic sponge to apply it. Some guys just use their finger to put it on.

PEARL DRUMS · September 27, 2011, 02:19:00 PM

Tru Oil is hard to beat for any sealing application. I love it and go through 8-10 bottles a year. Tung Oil is good stuff as well. For 5-6 bucks its worth having in your bag of tricks.

SEMO_HUNTER · September 27, 2011, 05:14:00 PM

I only use Tru Oil for everything, gun stocks, self bows, over skins, over glass, ect. There is no wrong way to use it in my opinion.

I bought my last 8oz. bottle off of evil bay which goes against my better judgement but it was actually cheaper than any other place I found and free shipping so you can't beat that.
Some hardware stores carry it, but nobody around me does so ordering it off the internet was my only option.

Be sure to buff with 0000 steel wool in between coats. After 3 coats over skins I sand lightly with 400 grit, then add a couple more coats and sand lightly with the 400 again. That leaves a nice smooth finish on the skins, then you can buff the final coat with steel wool to knock the shine down. I like to wipe it down with some pledge furniture polish after buffing the final coat for a satin finish.

dinorocks · September 28, 2011, 10:02:00 PM

After checking just about every hardware store and an hour drive to a gun smith in the middle of nowhere and finally found some Tru Oil (not many options up here in the North Country -ADK and too anxious for mail order). After just two coats, the skins already look awesome! I want to skin all my bows! I cannot recall were I heard/read this but I stained the back of the bow black before I applied the skins...the colors seem to pop (although I don't have anything to compare it to).

I couldn't resist and took the bow out yesterday ("raw" - prior to sealing) on opening day of our early season...just to get out...felt great! Saw one doe but no shot, which was probably good because I would have needed to butcher it up that night...the temps have been unseasonably high (70-80F)...not sure how they do it down south...

Thanks again for all the input!

Dino