I have read several comments over the years about Ipe not accepting a finish very well. I am nearing completetion of my first Ash backed Ipe bow and could use some advice on the finishing aspect. On past hardwood bows I used Minwax poly with super results. Thanks for any advice offered.

I've never had a problem with finishes drying on Ipe.  Of course that may be in part to my extra dry climate.  I have used tru-oil, tung oil and wipe on poly all with good results.  A quick wipe down with mineral spirits and then apply thin coats and I'm good to go.  I think I'm coming to prefer tung oil though.

Its winter time here so we are as dry as Michigan gets. Thanks for the info NTD, I may just skip right to Tung oil and give it a run. I have an almost limitless supply of Ipe so I can always build another!

Scott does some insane finish work...Listen to him :-)

I guess there are trade offs to the climate one lives in.

No offense NTD, but I believe I will take vanillabear?'s advice. I have a full line lumber yard close to work that carries all the items you mentioned, shouldnt be a problem to get them. This is my first Ipe bow and I am amazed how much more narrow it allows you to go, cool stuff so far. Thanks for the tips

No offense taken, in fact I urge you too.  I can only report the results I have and always try to include the variables that may bias my results...i.e dry climate.

Deft dries super fast and is very durable too.
Jeff

second what Jeff said. I tried to use Minwax once on Ipe, and I thought it never would dry. I followed Sam Harpers advice about Deft, and now thats about all I use.

My estimated completion date is about a week to a week and half, that Ipe is HARD AS A ROCK. My old stand-by rasp is in over its head right now. I need to stop off at the store and grab a larger, more aggressive rasp to finish the belly taper's.