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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: wolfshadow on October 06, 2021, 11:21:22 AM

Title: Sanding skins with Tru-oil finish?
Post by: wolfshadow on October 06, 2021, 11:21:22 AM

I’ve got 6 coats of Tru-oil on an Osage bow. The wood sands nicely, but the snake skins are rough.  Can I smooth the them with steel wool? Yes, I pulled all the scales off the skins.
    The rough skin seems like it will fray the the string loop as I string and unstring.

Title: Re: Sanding skins with Tru-oil finish?
Post by: Pat B on October 06, 2021, 11:51:27 AM

I use 0000 steel wool between coats of Tru-Oil. It works well. You can burnish the edges of the snake skins with a smooth round object like the shank of a screw driver to compress it and help protect it from fraying.

Title: Re: Sanding skins with Tru-oil finish?
Post by: wolfshadow on October 06, 2021, 06:34:31 PM

Thanks. I’ll try it.

Title: Re: Sanding skins with Tru-oil finish?
Post by: rainman on October 10, 2021, 08:21:41 AM

I put on 3 heavy coats, then start sanding between coats with 400 grit wet dry sandpaper.  12 to 13 coats will make the skin look like it is under glass.

Title: Re: Sanding skins with Tru-oil finish?
Post by: bucknut on October 11, 2021, 10:23:56 PM

Beware!!   You can rub thru the skin fairly easily down toward the tail even with 0000 steel wool.

Title: Re: Sanding skins with Tru-oil finish?
Post by: wolfshadow on October 13, 2021, 09:53:01 AM

Gods caution. Thanks!