just wondering what type of paints & stains you all use for your arrows.I use all bohning stuff and am tired of having to get it online. no local dealers.

Minwax stains and wipe on poly work well and available just about everywhere.  Ace Hardware has their own house brand of the same thing.  Some even use water base sealers and stains.  Absolutely no need to be mail ordering finish materials.

I use any of the wood stains from the hardware store like Minwax, water-based analine dye, and Rit dye mixed with denatured alcohol.
For solid colors I use water-based acrylic craft paint.
I've also seen folks use Kool-aid and cake decorating dye. Of course, there is also all the natural dyes and stains like crushed berries, beet juice, walnut gall stain, etc.

Guy

thanks a bunch do you know if their compatable with most paint?

why the stain mixed with denatured alcohol ?

Jeremy,
Here is what I use after trial and error. All are available locally at Wally World and Hobby Lobby except for the Dalys Profin. However, you live in Oregon and may be able to find it local since it is a west coast company.

Minwax Stains ( Lowes )

Krylon Acrylic Enamel for cap dip in quarts ( Wally World )

Testors Acrylics for cresting ( Hobby Lobby )

Dalys Profin clear top coat, ( I have to order direct @ $34 a quart with hazmat shipping due to no dealer in South ). A quart will last me a long time and the Dalys is the best top coat going in my humble opinion.

For my cap dip I made up a 11" deep 1" PVC dip tube and simply rinse out with water when done. I thin the Krylon acrylic enamel cap dip paint with water so that it runs like water back into the tube. 2-3 dips with 8-10 hrs dry time between dips and done. One coat of Dalys over the stain and cap dip, then crest, then 2 top coats of Dalys and done. Use Bohning fletch tape with a dot of Duco from Family Dollar fore and aft for fletching. The Duco will melt right into the Dalys and is almost invisible. Learned all this from, "snag " on here and simply passing it along.

Jeremy,
Almost forgot, bought a bottle of charcoal colored alcohol stain from 3 Rivers and love it ! This bottle will last a long time. Seems to dry faster than Minwax but either one will work just fine.

Thanks for all
the help !

Jeremy,

If you are in the Portland area, Portland Paint and Supply on NE Halsey has Dalys Profin in stock.  I think that I paid $22 for my last quart.  If not, Rodda Paint is a Dalys dealer as well.

QuoteOriginally posted by Jeremy kropf:
why the stain mixed with denatured alcohol ?

It dries quickly and doesn't raise the grain.
That begs the question of why I use the water-based analine stain...
The water-based version is supposed to be more UV resistant than the alcohol-based version.

Guy

What is the most simple way to finish good hunting arrows. Just rub on minwax and 3 coats of polyurehene? Steel wool lightly between coats?