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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: marino on April 01, 2009, 02:13:00 AM
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hey everyone I am just about done my very first bow, and I am just wondering I have seen lots of posts about finishing bows with epoxy, I am just wondering how everyone does it is it thinned?, sprayed, brushed, sanded between coats?...and is there something better to use like varathane? I want a really nice flat to satin finish,
i think that I have photobucket figured out I will try and get some pics up soon! thanks
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I have been using the Thunderbird epoxy finish. It is a 2 part mix, then thinned 25%. I brush on a coat, sand, brush on a coat sand, (just to fill pores).......then spray 2-3 light coats. If you just frost the last coat (holding the gun back and just dusting the surface), you will achieve a nice uniform satin finish.
TB epoxy sands great and I really like it...however, it is about a $100 investment to get into it.
I have also used Devcon 5 minute epoxy ($2), thinned with acetone and sprayed via a small spray gun...that worked well, but it does not sand all that well.
All that being said. Consider 1 other finish without getting into the epoxy
A Tru oil finish...Easy to apply with a small rag, cheap $5 or so available at sporting goods stores (as a Gun stock finish). Fill the pores and apply 4 thin coats or so of that (sanding with 0000 steel wool in between), then follow up with a spray coat of Helmans Spar Varathane finish (satin, $6). Cheap, easy and durable. Best of luck...
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what would be the difference between using the thunderbird or thinning out some smooth on? has anyone done that... i think that I am leaning towards the tru oil then sealing it I was just hoping some more experienced fella's would throw in they're two bits...
thanks bjansen
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I used varfane (SPRAY ON) for over 10 years.Now I do it the old simple way.Bees wax and a hair dryer.Melts right into the pours.Do this a couple times a year.Each time you do it looks like a new bow.
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I have used Devcon epoxy finish that is commonly known as the Massey finish. It is simply devcon 2 ton epoxy mixed 4 parts acetone to 1 part epoxy. It is an extremely tough finish but is very glossy. I have sprayed it but it orange peels some. Less volatile solvents like MEK help with that.
You can also wipe it on. Just quickly wipe a coat on. Don't rewipe it. Let it cure for 8 hours, sand lightly, then repeat at least 4 times.
Here's a BBO I did several years ago with it. It is fully cured here and very shiny. You can spray with a satin poly after it is fully cured to dull it down some.
(http://residents.bowhunting.net/sticknstring/hbbb53.JPG)
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I have had good luck with Tru-Oil over the years. If the finish is too shiny a quick spray od satin poly over it will cut the shine, like John said.
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Massey and Tru-Oil are my favorites. I give both a misting of satin spar urathane to give a nice, low gloss finish.
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Formby's tung-oil. Gary Davis put me on to this years ago. I have used tru-oil on bows and arrows, leaves a mark when compressed like from a gripper on a bow quiver or straps from like a Great Northern quiver. This is my experience. Formby's can be wiped on or dipped as Gary does in a pvc tube.
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Formby's tung-oil. Gary Davis put me on to this years ago. I have used tru-oil on bows and arrows, leaves a mark when compressed like from a gripper on a bow quiver or straps from like a Great Northern quiver. This is my experience. Formby's can be wiped on or dipped as Gary does in a pvc tube.