I read the thread with the tru oil question and have one of my own. Been building my arrows for 20+ years but have never used tru oil. How many coats? Will it work over a stain? Might try some as I need to get some anyway. If you have old antlers outside getting weather beaten, tru oil will bring back some looks to them.

I just did 2 dozen with Tru Oil because they were extra heavy shafts to begin with.
There was no weight gain to speak of-5 coats; just wipe it on with a piece of paper towel.
Went over dry stained surface with no problems and does not pick up as much target burn.

I've done it with 3 coats and it worked great on laminated birch shafts.

Jason

I've got some maple shafts I'm just getting ready to build. I think I'll try it on those. I didn't really want to alter the maple color anyway. Does fletch tape stick to it ok?
Dave

Rufus...I typically use 3-5 coats, whatever I'm in the mood for. Don't really need any with the way I lose and break arrows.

Hey Dave...fletch tape works great with the Tru-Oil in my experience. However, you will get a VERY slight golden/amber coloring with it.

Thanks guys, I think I'll try it next time.

Been using tru oil for years on my own shafts. Target burn or lack of is supperior to other finishes in my opinion. As someone stated above I use 3-5 depending on my mood or what they will be used for. I usually steel wool before the final coat. Duco or tape is the best for fletching. I use tape and have yet to have one turn loose. It also holds paint for cresting well. The only negative is it requires more labor, but it dries fast, so I can put on four coates in two evenings, and crest and shoot the on the 3rd.

Forgot to mention, I apply and rub the coats in with my hands and wipe off excess if any.

Okay read one of the questions above that I missed. Yes it goes over stain fine. I use rit dye for all of my stain with no problem.

That's cool JPaul. I've been using rit dye also. Can get some original colors. I use alcohol to mix. Kinda granular but dries quick.

Tru oil works just great.  Like many others, 3 to 5 coats, buffing with steelwool after each coat dries.  Some of the advantages over other finishes are (IMO):
inexpensive
easy to find (Wal-Mart)
low odor
no extra equipment needed (apply with hand)
easy to touch-up scratches,etc
no problem going over stain
One thing I would suggest.  Don't leave the top off the bottle long; a film will form.  Pour a little at a time in a disposable cup.

Will it go over laquer? I just sprayed some crown and want to coat over it.
Good to see ya Darren, thanks for the info.
Thanks,
Dave

Looking around here for it and can't find it. Does it go under any other name? Good sources to look? I checked Menards and Wally World.
Dave

It is at Walmart with the gun finish and cleaning supplies.

I used it for a long time, over Minwax stains. I laid it on with my hands, too. They aren't linty. I went to poly because it was faster and cheaper, but Tru-oil makes a lovely finish. Durable, too. I lost an arrow for a year, and it was fine when I finally pulled it out of the woods.

Killdeer  

Thanks, I'll check that out tomorrow. Use over laquer OK?
Dave

I have used it over water based dip with no problems-never tried it over laquer.

For those of you that want to dip rather than wipe Tru oil thins with Naptha, and works great as a shaft finish.
We also sell it in a spray can version.

Found it at Wally World this morning right where you said it'd be.....headin out to the barn right now to give it a try.