Any wood arrow guys using superglue to fletch with? I guess I could go to Duco as many suggest but I'm hapy with superglue.
The question is what types of arrow finish are compatible with superglue. Dont need my feathers falling off. I'm considering using minwax stain and helmsman spar urethane because its easy to get. If I cap dip I guess I would use water based paint?
Super glue will work good for you then if you are already using it with good results. I use duco because I can't glue a feather without it sticking to the jig with super glue.
I used to use duco exclusively and had some trouble with poly and the glue making the poly brittle and pulling away.
I have since changed to loctite superglue liquid and now keep my duco for nocks. The super g works for me on any finish.
For the past twenty five it's only been Duco cement and water base Minwax.
I have recently started using Minwax stain on my woods, 2 coats, then 3 coats of clear matte wipe-on poly over the top to seal the shafts. For cresting, I am using adhesive backed vinyl that I purchased at a local sign making shop, way cheaper than commercial wraps, $5 for a sheet that will yield 100+ wraps vs. a buck a piece for pre-cut wraps. I am using Loctite gel control super glue to fletch and those feathers are on there but good. I rub the shafts down with 00 steel wool after the 2 coats of stain and between each coat of poly and it produces a nice smooth finish. All items are available at most hardware stores. Some day I might get into really fancy-ing up my arrows with real paint but this current system is working well.
Thanks guys. In reading more I may actually go with a poly finish since I'm reading that Helmsman can target burn.
Thump, do you get good moisture resistance with the water based minwax poly? I'm also considering the oil based minwax poly.
Thanks again
Tom, very interesting approach. I may have to look for some of that adhesive backed vinyl. Wonder if I can print onto it. ANy advice ot experience there?
Minwax poly and superglue have a reaction that causes a white powdery residue. Doesn't seem to affect anything other than looks. Duco is more forgiving...
Is that the water based poly? oil based poly? or both?
I have used super glue for several years on wood shafts. Never had a problem with it sticking on anything that I have used. Ploy (oil and water base), Lac., spar varn.
The only real difficulity is removing the super glue to refletch. The only thing that I have found that works is a commercial grade paint stripper. The non-commercial strippers that I have tried did not do a good job.
Minwax oil based Poly, dipped, and gel super glue for fletching
I've had problems with super glue and oil based poly when the poly is used after the super glue.
Minwax wipe on poly I've used was clear matter water-base. Not sure about printing on the adh-backed vinyl. My guess is that it WOULD be possible. Material is similar if not identical to material used in the "Crik-et" err similar craft making product and I believe printing IS possible with that system. I have not tried with my ink-jet printer for fear of adhesive wraps UNwrapping all over the inside of the printer. The material was purchased at a local sign making shop. It works just like the purchased wraps but a bit mo cheap. I plan on doing some testing soon with markers to see if they can bond well to the vinyl. will advise.