What are the best fiber glass backed bow finishes?

Thunderbird epoxy.

fullerplast

fullerplast

Can you purchase either Thunderbird or Fullerplast in small quantites for only a few bows?

I just discovered Birchwood Casey Tru Oil.  Great finish, very cheap.

Does the Tru Oil work on the fiber glass also?

thunderbird and fullerplast should you want to spray the finish on work wonderfully. These are probably the 'best' but are typically sprayed on.

Should you want an easy finish, the water based polys work well - though less durable than those listed above - and probably less waterproof as well. Wipe on or spray cans work fine. I prefer the spray can and the rougher finish it provides.

Massie finish (epoxy and acetone) works well, is easy, is waterproof, but takes time any many coats. (and it's quite shiny if not dulled)

thunderbird and fullerplast are probably the best if you have the equipment or want to spend the money on the equipment.

I'm not in the rain that often, and usually shoot bows in my range at home, and so mine usually end up with a spray on can of poly.

Whatever suits you intended application best.

Aaron

How about spray tru-oil??? Will that work?

Spray on Tru oil works on glass. I've used fullerplast for years but the last few bows I've gone with tru oil. It takes longer but the finish is just as durable as fuller plast IMO and much less toxic.Easier to repair also.

QuoteOriginally posted by recurvericky:
Does the Tru Oil work on the fiber glass also?

Yes, it does. I use it on nearly every bow I build, you juste have to apply 5 to 8 coats. True oil is very thin.

This is a bow I refreshed not long ago whith true oil for a Trad Gang friend.

How about spar urethane? I use it on my board bows
and would like to know if you can use it on glass.

I have used spray Helmsman spar urathane on a few fiberglass bows with good results.

Has anyone tried the spray tru oil?

bring this back up to ask a slightly different question.  how much does thunderbird, fullerplast or  tru oil darken the wood????

My last glass bow I did a massey finish with 5 minute devcon 2 ton and acetone and because of the slight amber color it darkened my light zerbrawood riser dramatically?

I'm getting ready to glue up and finish a cocobolo and paduak with maple accents and dont want the paduak or maple to darken too much....

I don't like the fact that t-bird is mail order only....but that was my planned finish...

TTT   anybody?

Marc.

good question and I have another one with a slightly different twist.

I have used Fuller Plast on all of my bows for about 20 years.  It is very light in collor and I don't think it darkens the wood any more than putting on any finish does. It just gives it that finished look like a polyuerothane.

But is does not prevent against UV rays and wood will darken under Fuller Plast like it will under most any other finish.  Sometimes this gives the wood a nice aged look and I like it, but you mentioned Paduak.  The Paduak I have used looks bright red when it is freshly sanded but seems to darken queckly (even if left out of dirrect sunlight).
I just made a horse bow with a handle that is Paduak sandwiched between a glass and banboo back and belly and I would like to keep it its original bright red collor.
My question is. Does anyone know of a UV inhibitor that I can put under Fuller Plast that will prevent the Paduak (and any other wood) from darkening??

Brad

check out this paduak under fuller:



both the paduak and the osage (limbs and accent stripe in riser) have darkened alot!

I know there are a couple UV spray sealers out there but I don't know how it will work with fullerplast.

Tru oil does not dry over Cocobolo, the oil in the wood keeps the finish tacky. Oily woods must first be sealed with something like superglue or massie finish.

thanks shaun....woulda learned that the hardway....

they specifically say that t-bird works over the exotic hardwoods we use with bows.  guess I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and mail order the t-bird.  

I've gotten soo used to ordering stuff with a CC and having it show up in a couple days, its weird to think I have to get off my butt and go to the PO for a money order, then mail it in and wait....getting spoiled I guess