Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Lee Lobbestael on July 22, 2009, 04:02:00 PM

Title: Polyurethane
Post by: Lee Lobbestael on July 22, 2009, 04:02:00 PM

Have any of you ever tried coating a bow in polyurethane?It sure makes furniture look good but will it crack off when it is flexed?

Title: Re: Polyurethane
Post by: Robertfishes on July 22, 2009, 08:46:00 PM

Recently I have used Minwax "Helmsman Spar Urethane" because that's what I used back in 1994 when I built 3 self bows. I see that "3 Rivers" sells Minwax "Fast Drying Polyurethane" in their catalog.

Title: Re: Polyurethane
Post by: Pat B on July 22, 2009, 10:41:00 PM

I've used water based poly on arrows with good results but not on bows...except for a quick spray of satin poly over shiny finished to dull them.

Title: Re: Polyurethane
Post by: strungstick on July 22, 2009, 10:56:00 PM

When I first started making glass bows I used Defthane brand poly and had pretty good luck with it, it is also very easy to touch up.  As long as you don't have any oily exotics poly isn't too bad a choice in my opinion.

Title: Re: Polyurethane
Post by: Robertfishes on July 23, 2009, 12:08:00 AM

strungstick brings up an excellent point, I did have to seal the edges with super glue on a bow with cocobolo limb veneers after the edges stayed sticky, next bow had Walnut veneers no problem with finish drying. I am considering the Sherwin Williams "water white conversion varnish" for the next "oily" wood bow.

Title: Re: Polyurethane
Post by: bjansen on July 23, 2009, 07:28:00 AM

I saw quite a few bows at Mojam in which the Bowyer used several coats of Wipe-on Poly.  They had excellent results and no cracking was noted.

Title: Re: Polyurethane
Post by: No-sage on July 23, 2009, 07:54:00 AM

I use poly on all my bow and never had a problem with cracking.

I use the spray cans of minwax.

Title: Re: Polyurethane
Post by: DCM on July 23, 2009, 09:47:00 AM

I've used everything but spray based catalytic conversion finishes, ie. Thunderbird, etal.  I've settled on Minwax Wipeon Polyurethane.  

The Polycrylic, water based, does not seal effectively.  I had a bunch of osage bows with 6 to 8 coats of it get caught in a rain shower at MoJam one year.  When I wiped 'em down with a white towel they all bled yellow color onto the towel.  Bad mojo.

Title: Re: Polyurethane
Post by: tawmio on July 23, 2009, 11:57:00 AM

how about laquer what do you guys think.