Bow Finish???

[Greg H.]

I recently received an unfinished all wood laminated bow stave from bowstick archery. It has a bamboo back, purpleheart belly, osage riser, and yew inner laminations. What type of finish would be good for this bow?  

Thanks

[droptine59]

For the average archer/ backyard bowyer any good clear wipe on Polyurethane applied witha sponge brush. sanding in between coats with fine grit ending with 1500..then a nice buff job at the end.
As for actual bow finishes, Thunderbird or Fullerplast,

[Pat B]

Tru-Oil, a gun stock finish, makes an excellant bow finish. I apply it with a finger, rub it in well and let it dry, buff it down with 0000 steel wool and add the next coat. After about 5 or 6 coats you will have a deep shiny finish.
You can get Tru-Oil in most sporting good stores and at WalMart, etc.   Pat

[Bowchef]

You may also try the Jay Massey epoxy finish.  Probably the best as far as ease of application and durability.

[Dave Worden]

If you can afford it and have a shop that will do it, automotive clear coat is GREAT!  It is also EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[razorsharptokill]

I just shot Valspar automotive clear on my recently finished Bingham takedown long bow.

It came out SUPER shiny but apprears to be a very durable finish. I'll dull it down with some steel wool.

[Dave Worden]

Razor, I've left mine super shiny and will just put limb skins on it if I hunt with it.  Just in case you hadn't thought of that.

Dave

[razorsharptokill]

Yeah. I should have said the "riser is shiny" but the limbs are not as much so. Good point on the limb skins tho'.

[TRADITIONAL ONLY]

question? (well actually 2 questions.)

will Tru-Oil turn the bow a different color? ive got some for my gun stocks but ive never used it, so i dont know... that and im too lazy to go down to the shop and put some on a piece of wood...

and, will Polyurathane work over fiberglass limbs? i want to keep the bow the same color that it is...

[razorsharptokill]

I found that Helmsman polyurethane darkend the wood some. Linseed oil will REALLY darken it. I think most two part clears are fairly color free. That is why I used it on my bow. I wanted the colors to stay exactly the way they were.

[ringo64]

tung oil works great, is easy to apply and durable.  here is a finish with about 4 coats, and will get 4 or 5 more.  

[The Whittler]

A few post up Hornseeker sure likes the finish he started useing. Look him up. Alan