I have a longbow that I really love, and I am planning on adding some snake skins to the limbs. I have done this before, and i was not happy with the results. The advice I got on how to do it included putting a few coats of superglue on the skins after they are on the bow. I did this, and finished with Tru Oil, but as soon as i started shooting it, the limbs got a cloudly look to them. I can only attribute this to the super glue not being flexible enough. I didnt really understand the superglue being necessary to begin with, since the skins were getting a finish put over them.
I dont want that to happen again. The bowyer that made the bow is a friend of mine, and he is going to reapply the finish just like new after i apply the skins...is it normal practice to use the superglue? Did i do it wrong? Can i skip that step altogether?
I know this was drawn out, and thank you for your time and any help you may have.
You might want to move this over to the Bowyer forum. Those guys salivate over these issues! They are very helpful, and some of our sponser bowyers chime in frequently. Hope this helps.
Can't say I've ever put super glue over the skins I've done. Never had any issues either.
I tried superglue one time and had the same experience.
A year or so ago there were guys trying the superglue thing and were having problems with the final results. I see no reason to add super glue over the skins first before finishing. I have skinned many bows(all were wood bows)and never used super glue over the skins. Tru-Oil gives good protection without it and I'm sure other finishes do too.
It is probably the superglue seperating from the skins that is giving you the cloudy look. You need to sand the skins to rough them up for the finish otherwise it will not stick and cloud up.
We had the same problem a few years back.
Mike
I've never really 'got' the whole using-Superglue-as-a-finish thing. It's a glue, not a finish. There are so many fantastic finishes/varnishes/top-coats out there that do a far better job.
Incedentally, I've just skinned a glass longbow. Laid the skins on with TBIII, trimmed & dried after 24hrs & then applied 7 coats of polyeurathane varnish. Sanded the last coat with 1200 grit & then gave a very light overspray to give me a matt finish.
Thanx guys...I'm gonna pass on the glue this time