Does anyone cap and crest carbon arrows? I bought some GT Tradional shafts, removed the writing and am in a holding pattern. Most everyone I shoot with who used carbons just glues the feathers on and rolls with it, plain Jane. No decoration. I won't do wraps either, cap with paint or nothing.
some do. i think rob does sharpies but im not 100% on that. i heard u do a layer of poloy then some acrilic model paint then poly again. but im not 100% as ive never tried it.
i use the same paints that i use on my wood
Just crowned & crested a dozen cx heritage last week.
John
I am working on some CX heritage shafts now. 3 coats of latex spray (white) to start with. a steel wool treatment between coats. then crest with latex...
For your crest you can tape off the length of cap and spray a cheap white enamel. Two light coats should cover. Let them dry good. Then apply the cap color you want. I use spray paint.
Cresting I do with testors enamel. You can buy it at Hobbie Lobby. Get good brushes as they make the difference. Ya may want to thin your paint some so get a big bottle of thinner so you can clean your brushes as well.
After I am done I spray a water based poly over the top. Two or three coats. Be sure and let it dry good between coats and if yao use any metal flake colors like gold or silver let your cresting dry for at least a full 24 hrs in a warm dry atmosphere. Then do a LIGHT first coat and second coat of the poly. Then spray the third heavier.
I use a cap wrap and then crest the shafts with either paint sticks or use Testors paint on my brushes. Works Great!
Rich, I've done plenty of GT's like you're saying. I just can't shoot a plain shaft. Now I use wraps and then crest. I can strip the feathers easy and leave a nice clean surface.
Here are a couple of thumbnails of capped and crested carbons. Much more fun than wraps, but needs more time!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Archery%20Equipment/Arrows/th_IMG_3111.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Archery%20Equipment/Arrows/IMG_3111.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Archery%20Equipment/Arrows/th_IMG_2080.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Archery%20Equipment/Arrows/IMG_2080.jpg)
Killdeer
I have capped and crested carbons using the regular dip method and spray bombs. I prefer to spin the arrow in a crester while spraying to get a good even coat.
Killdeer you simply amaze me! Girl those are gorgeous arrows, nice work!
Killdeer, what kind of paints are you using for your cap. When I put fletchtite on my cap it eats right through my paint and my fletching will not bond. maybe I should be asking what type paint and adheisive for fletching are you using. Anyway yours look great.
Macksdad:
Have you tried fletch tape? I use it exclusively and as long as the surface is clean it sticks....
I did find something out about applying feathers.. after ya get em in the clamp, just befor ya put em in the jig, pull the base away from the edge of the clamp by maybe 1/16 or so. It helps the feather base hit the shaft better.
You can cap wrap with no problems and then crest away. Fletch tape will work well with a wrap also. Killdeer those are great arrows and I like your "dot" numbering system.
My question is answered. People do dress up carbons unlike a lot of my friends. No problem as I've been making arrows for decades but not carbons.
I do it like Huntschool, if you use a clear poly to protect your paint use duco cement to glue on your feathers. It bonds great and is cheap!
Life is too short to hunt with an ugly arrow.
macksdad, I used Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover spray paint over a white spray base for the cap, and crested with Testors model paints. I oversprayed that with Rust-Oleum clear enamel spray.
I forget if I used Fletch-Tite Platinum or gel Super Glue for the fletches.
Killdeer