quick question, what stain/sealant should I apply to my shafts?

I mostly use an acrylic dip; or alternatively wipe on Tru Oil. Others wipe on Minwax finishes. Lotsa' choices.

How many coats? Any brand specific acrylic?

I use Minwax Polyshades ,it stains and seals at the same time-4 coats on my hunting arrows 3 on my everyday shooters and stumpers

Most Minwax stains have sealer in them and they have lots of color options.

I like the oil base products, others do fine with the water base.  Stains I stick with the name brands like minwax or olymipc, etc.  I've kinda settled on minwax for my polyurethane.  You can wipe it on or dip it thinned a bit.

I use the water based stain and poly, easy clean up.

I just wipe on a couple coats of Watco which comes in various shades.  Watco been good to me.

ChuckC

Spar Polyurethane makes for a great sealer. I prefer satin, then chase it with some 4-0000 steel wool.

do you pre-sand the shafts before staining? This is my first time attempting to make cedar arrows or any wood arrows for that matter. Also if I were to stain the shafts can I paint on top of the stain?

I use an alcohol based stain for shaft color and Fiebings leather dye for crown color and then MinWax wipe on poly.

I've had good results with staining before or after sanding, and yes, you can paint over the stain. I think unstained caps look better when I've just sealed them in clear first, although that may not even be necessary.

Use some masking tape around the shaft where you want the cap to end and just stain to that, remove tape, sand with 0000 steel wool and clear seal the whole shaft. Let dry and paint and crest the unstained caps how ya want 'em, and add a couple more coats of clear finish over all (make sure all this is compatible) and finish 'em up when they dry. Then go shoot!  

I got some Minwax stain and sealant going to presand then apply 2 coats I bought these shafts from 3rivers and they had a clear sealant all ready on. Ill take pics of the finish arrow. also Im siting down the arrow and their fairly straight but not perfect just don't think I can get them any better than the way they came they have a slight wobble on my glass table top.