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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: mcgyver on February 20, 2009, 08:20:00 AM

Title: How long to let the finish dry??
Post by: mcgyver on February 20, 2009, 08:20:00 AM
Last Weekend I just completed the fifth coat of Varnish over my newly snakeskin covered limbs.
I followed the Build Along by Michael Swickard over on the "how to" forum.
Oh my, am I happy with the way it looks!
My biggest Fear is that after all this work I will get a Finish crack when I string and shoot my bow.
 
I allowed the CA to cure 5 days before starting the varnish. The Varnish will have cured a week this Saturday.

So. My question is, how long should I let one two layers of CA, and Five coats of Varithane varnish cure before I try shooting my bow?
Title: Re: How long to let the finish dry??
Post by: Pat B on February 20, 2009, 12:02:00 PM
I've never used CA as a finish on bows so that I don't know but with many finishes 48 to 72 hours for complete cure time.
   I have read here on TradGang that folks were having problems with snake skins cracking when coated with CA and other finishes. Why use CA as a finish when just a regular finish(like spar varnish, poly or Tru-Oil)will work fine?
Title: Re: How long to let the finish dry??
Post by: mcgyver on February 20, 2009, 12:15:00 PM
ooooh, I was afraid of hearing that about cracking.
Never having Skinned a bow, I Just followed the example on the "how to".
I was a little uneasy about super glue, but the knife makers seem to swear by it. I'm hoping that since the skin is glued on glass it will help me out.
I guess I'm gonna smile or cry tomorrow after trying her out.
Wish me luck.

   :pray:
Title: Re: How long to let the finish dry??
Post by: Art B on February 20, 2009, 02:24:00 PM
As Pat stated, 72 hrs will be fine. A varnish finish doesn't adhere well to super glue unless it's surface is scuffed up well before applying the finish. Or at least that's been my experience. -ART B
Title: Re: How long to let the finish dry??
Post by: mcgyver on February 20, 2009, 03:49:00 PM
Thank you for the input. Please pardon my misuse of terms.
I'm very much a noob on this.
What I Sprayed over the CA was "Varathane Spray Polyurethane" (oil based) Satin.
I sanded the CA finish with 400 grit before spraying. Sanded with 000 steel wool between coats.

So, Back to    :pray: