Hey all, new member here. Been building self bows for all of 6 weeks. Don't have alot of time as I work overseas alot and don't want to travel with a stave. I realize osage darkens naturally w/age and exposure to sunlight. My question is "If I expose the back of my new osage self bow to sunlight with some type of temporary tape, (in a bush or weed design)such as painters tape) on it. Will it darken more slowly, thus leaving a slight camo to the back of the bow for a while? Anyone tried this or am I just dreamin? Any imput would be appreciated.
Jim
I don't know. Give it a try and let us know the results. Interesting idea, though. It would only be temporary(relatively speaking). Pat
WAI,
From what I understand, the darkening process is due to oxidation. I have heard of folks using chemicals such as oven cleaner or potassium permanganate (I think thats spelled right) to quickly oxidize the surface of the bow. You could do your tape thing then hit it with the spray on oven cleaner and let it sit for a bit. Wipe/clean off and there ya have it. A coat of spray finish with UV inhibitors wouold prolong the effect. Even with out the spray finish, it would darken naturally with the pattern still there.
Give it a try like Pat said, and be sure to let us see how it turns out.
OkKeith
Thanks guys. Will be home in a few weeks and give it a try. Will let you know. (May try the oven cleaner, sounds interesting)
Jim
James,
The tape will work....leave it on for a season and expose the wood to sunlight.
The pattern will remain for some time. Eventually, it will probably
even out.
Gene
Do it before you finish. Add the pattern tape and then leave it in a sunny window whenever you can. After you peel it, spray it with a heavy UV protective finish like marine varnish and it'll stay for a goodly while.
Thanks again, Already love this...
Jim