When building wood arrows I always crown, crest and dip in a sealer. What do you do with carbons? I used a great paint from Sherwin-Williams that is shiny. But the Fletch-Tite won't bond well with it. Any suggestions? I didn't want to steel wool the paint. What other types of paint do you recommend for the next ones I do?

i have had good luck with Bohning paint

I just crested my carbons last week and had great luck with a can of white krylon for my cap. Used testors enamal model paint for my crestings. Then used fletching tape for my feathers. Only bad thing I found is fletchtite and duco cement is it will dissolve your paint. My friend used fletchtite instant gell on enamal paint and did'nt have a problem. So far I think the fletching tape is the way to go(instant with no waiting).

QuoteOriginally posted by snag:
When building wood arrows I always crown, crest and dip in a sealer. What do you do with carbons? I used a great paint from Sherwin-Williams that is shiny. But the Fletch-Tite won't bond well with it. Any suggestions? I didn't want to steel wool the paint. What other types of paint do you recommend for the next ones I do?

Last year I found an arrow that I had dipped in lacquer in 1989 that I never fletched.  I used Fletchtite platinum and the feather held beautifully.

On my carbon's I completely cheat and use arrow wraps since they're easy to use and quick...granted this takes all the fun and some of the pride away but I'm okay with it.

Here's some of mine...

   http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h138/oliverstacy/IMG_3407.jpg
  http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h138/oliverstacy/IMG_2878.jpg

One of these day's I'm going to get back to dipping them but now all that soon.

Josh

the spray paint works well for me. fletchings stick well too.

On carbon arrows,lightly sand the area to be capped. Paint with Krylon or Rustoleum and let dry. Then spray the capped area with polyureathane spray, two coats. When dry,fletch using duco cement, fletchtite won't work. Use testors paint to crest before the poly spray.

I have used the Sherwin Williams production laquer on carbons in the past.  It tends to chip easier than the bohning dip, but it looked good.   If you want a brighter white run, the SW through gasket laq.  Use Duco with SW.

Spray lacquer works real well.  I like to add a fade over the white cap with paint that matches my fletch.  Then a clear coat of lacquer.  Easy and quick just tape them up good wherever you want the cap to stop.  A great thing about these lacquers is if you don't like how they come out, just wet a paper towel in acetone and work the paint off.  It is also really easy to strip the feathers, clean with acetone, and re-fletch.  One thing though, I have not had good luck with the Fletch Tite Premium glue.  Don't know about regular Fletch Tite.  I just use tape or another brand of glue and all is well.

I use Krylon, Rustoleum, and some cheap knock offs.  I try to use acrylic paint when possible, because that is the closest to the Bohning. Use a cloth with lacquer thinner to clean the shaft, let dry, and paint.  I use two light coats, letting the coats dry overnight before I add the second. I the crest, spray my clear coat, most often satin, and allow to dry overnight.  The next day I fletch using Bohing platinum.  

If you can, you can alway us a clear spray over the spray painted cap.  I use to use Bohning paints, but they have gotten so expensive.  I don't like wraps, as they are not long enough, traditional caps were at the shortest 9 inches, and as long as 11 to 12 inches long.  I perfer a cap of 11 inches.

Paint pens from a craft shop work great, they come in a variety of colors, no mess, dry fast, and can be covered with poly or arcylic clear finishes.

I'm like Scott and have used a number of different spray paints.  I use Duco cement and have not had a problem, and have also occasionally used fletch tape.  Fletch Tite didn't seem to hold well to a painted surface for me.

If you have an NAPA parts store nearby, you are all set. Get a can of automotive laquer and use Duco to fletch.... color selection is endless and the the finish is superb.

Thanks guys. I do like using Duco better than FletchTite. It just seems to flow better. I like dipping the shafts whether wood or carbon. I will go back to the Rustoleum. Think I will go visit a NAPA store too.

Snag, I know another feller who uses the automotive laquer and his brother who owns a body shop said to get some "flex additive" to go in the paint. Haven't heard from him if it worked but supposed to make it so it won't chip...i.e. more durable for impact. May want to ask the paint boys.

I use either Krylon or Valspar paint to crown, Testors to crest and Fletch Tape, works great.

I think this flex additive is something Bowdoc may use in his refinishing sealer. Good idea!