Just got my imitation snakeskin cloth backing from Kustom King. Any tips or tricks on apllying it? It's going to go on my old Nirk Woodsmen recurve. I assume I lightly sand the back and use Titebond 3 but other then that I have no idea. Any tips or tricks would be gretly appreciated
I have done these a couple times. I scuffed the limb faces good with some 400 sandpaper. Cleaned with alcohol after. Then soaked the cloth skins in warm water for just a minute. Squeazzed out the water,then patted dry with paper towels. They are still damp,but no water in them. Then I spread Titebond on the limb surface. A fair amount,just before it starts to run over the edges of the limb. Keep it even tip-to-butt. Then I applied the cloth. Working it into the glue so the glue actually comes through the cloth. Get everything in position where you want it,make sure there are no creases,air bubbles,etc. And let it sit overnight. Then CAREFULLY trim with a NEW razor blade. Use more than 1,and go slow so you don't catch you glass in the limb. I just real light sand them with 1000 grit just to knock down any glue boogers. Spray with Minwax or just leave the way they are. They look pretty good when done. The edges are where you can have a fabric fray issue if you don't use a REAL SHARP BLADE or 10. rat'
Cool, I want to do this to my longbow. I'm gonna have to pick up some and get er done. Sounds easy enough.
thanx so much thats answers my questions.will post pics when done
I did similar to Bible5, except I didn't wet the cloth, and used tru oil followed by deft satin finish on one. Think I just used straight deft on the other. I should note I was applying straight to wood (composite/self bow, no glass). I could see where having the cloth damp could be benificial. Be careful sanding the cloth though, if you get too aggressive, you can leave light spots.
I have limbsations on one but interested to see how the cloth turns out. Looking forward to those pics!
Sounds really nice. Any pictures of the finished limbs?
Don't use barge cement as the yellow color bleeds through the fabric.