what is a good finish for a fiberglass laminated bow? i do not have an air brush and i dont know if that is needed....would polyurathane in a spray can work? please suggest any others that do not require a airbrush or one that comes in a spray can. thanks for all the help! also, does it have to match the original finish if it is being used for spot finishing and will come incontact with the original finish? and what should i clean the bow with to get a good clean surface for the finish? thanks for any help!

Polyurathane would work great, the spray works, Ive used the wipe too.

so like minwax polyurathane from the hardware store that cost like 5 bucks for a spray can will work?  thanks for any more info and for replying so fast!

Clean with medium hot water and let dry.  If you are sanding, you can finish up with 240 to 320 grit depending on the type of wood, or if it's the actual glass.  

Glass looks horrible when sanded...it just turns grey.  It will turn translucent again once the finish is applied...don't worry.

Spray with Helmsman Spar Urethane, in light coats.

If you are doing a raw bow, spray 3 coats of gloss, and then finish up with satin.  The gloss makes a harder finish, which is more durable.

Do a search on the word "spar" or "helmsman" and you will get a ton more info...

Take Care,
Marc

Birchwood & Casey Tru Oil gun stock finish.You can apply it with your bare hands.Just take a fine scotch bite pad inbetween coats and scuff up the surface and you can build it up to any depth you want.Cheap and easy,bd

Tru Oil gets my vote for non-spray; way more water resistant than any of the polys.

Thunderbird...

Is Thunderbird available in a spray can?  Or do you wipe it on?

After a quick search on the net I discovered that Thunderbird is a 2 part epoxy.  It can be apllied by either spraying or by brushing and/or wiping it on.  Below is the link to the Thunderbird website:

 http://www.tbirdarchery.com/  

If you use the Thunderbird, I would highly recommend that you thoroughly ventilate your work area, especially if you use Acetone to clean the bow prior to application of the Thunderbird.

Bill

There is a great article by Jim Golden in the summer issue of Bowyers Journal brushing on T- bird.

Billy

I believe Tru Oil also makes a spray on now.I have not used it myself but several of the self bow builders I do work for use it and seem to like it pretty well.Goes on easy and does not smell to bad.bd

Deftane gloss for five light coats ten minutes apart,then Defthane satin the next day,five coats ten minutes apart,then five more light coats ten minutes apart the next day,let dry overnight and ready to shoot.

I think I still have that article scanned if anyone wants it.  Tim

Jim Godden is a great guy, he is my bowyer!!  the last bow I got from him is immpeccable, and it is brush finished with T-bird.