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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: HartHeart on August 19, 2019, 10:45:02 PM

Title: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: HartHeart on August 19, 2019, 10:45:02 PM
I'm trying to decide between Spar Urethane, Polyurethane, Tung Oil, Tru Oil, and a Thunderbird as a finish over a snakeskin backed bow. Oh, and if I missed one that's better please do tell. What's the best finish and why?
Title: Re: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: Crooked Stic on August 20, 2019, 06:15:01 AM
I dont think you will go wrong with gloss epoxy base coats to get it leveled out. Then 320 grit before a top coat. For that I use Krystal dull one wet coat and then back off 2-3 mist coats.
Title: Re: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: Crooked Stic on August 20, 2019, 06:24:02 AM
I dont think you will go wrong with gloss epoxy base coats to get it leveled out. Then 320 grit before a top coat. For that I use Krystal dull one wet coat and then back off 2-3 mist coats.
Title: Re: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: Bow man on August 20, 2019, 07:09:43 AM
Bob Morrison who has probably done more snake skins than anybody always uses Gloss Thunderbird. Brushing it on.   If you are going to put this much time and money into a project you will not want anything that darkens and yellows
Title: Re: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: Bowjunkie on August 20, 2019, 10:22:08 AM
Thunderbird for me. Because, like Dave said, if I'm going to put that much time and effort into a bow, why settle coming down the home stretch?

Dave, do you know why he brushes it on? Is it to build depth and level the low spots over each scale plate? I always just sprayed it with the rest of the bow and haven't had an issue, so I was just wondering.
Title: Re: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: Bow man on August 20, 2019, 11:25:04 AM
Jeff yes to build up that first good bas to fill. No foam brush it can leave bubbles.
Title: Re: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: Weylin on August 24, 2019, 09:25:34 PM
Tru oil is what I use on my selfbows. 8 coats and polished with pumice powder and oil.  Works great.

(https://i.imgur.com/Krry7Ci.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Ub3T2ZF.jpg)
Title: Re: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: Tim Finley on August 26, 2019, 10:02:44 AM
Don't use tung oil its not water proof enough for any bow applications I used Thunderbird lots of coats .
Title: Re: the best finish over snakeskin?
Post by: Ross McLeod on August 29, 2019, 02:25:59 AM
That is a magnificent bow Weylin. I like Truoil, but never used it over snakeskin, but I did find out recently that it’s a mix of boiled linseed oil and polyurethane, which goes a way towards understanding the way it handles.