I've started to paint my first batch of arrows but am having problems with the paint drying. I am using oil based paints but they seem to be to thick, I've tried thinning to the suggested ratio on the paint tin but after leaving to dry for over 2 days the paint still scrapes of with my finger nail.
What kind of ratio should I thin the paint to and does the paint need thinning every time I use it, because I had a few arrows turn out alright after thinning the paint but the next time I used it the paint was to thick again?

I have always thinned the paint so that it ran off of the shaft fairly quickly and a bit on the thin side.It seems that several thin coats work better than fewer thick coats.I have had the paint peel off when applied to thick.

Get some lacquer. For years I used lacquer from auto parts supplier. Dries within a half hour usually and compatible with every fletching glue out there... also available in every color in the rainbow.

I like water base because the thinner is free...... H2O ! I buy quarts of Krylon Acrylic Enamel at Wally World cheap and thin the snot out of it with water till it runs back off my shafts like water. I usually cap dip the first coat with white no matter what final cap color I am using to make them brighter and more brilliant. 2-3 coats for my cap dip.

If you want to stay with oil base I would switch to the lacquer like Charlie suggested for the thin coats and quick dry time. Might want to get you a Eco dipper from 3 Rivers. I watched a guy demo it at Compton last year and it was pretty slick. JMHO

I have to stick with oil based paints because I'm using wipe on poly to seal the arrows, any idea what kind of ratio of paint to thinners I should use?

Thanks
Ari

Lacquer will seal the shaft!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Lacquer will seal the shaft!!!

yeppers