I wonder what is the correct type of paint to use?  Does it have to be water based to "melt" into the surface of the water or does it have to be non water based so it floats on top?????

I used Krylon spray paint, gingerly sprayed on the surface of the water.  Maybe I should have executed my "twirl-and-dip maneuver" slower?  Used a different paint??

Here are some I did for my buddies wife. The thought was to simulate fire, since she has been known to start some.....un-intentionally.

These were double swirled. I dipped in Bohning orange, then swireled with bohning red and bohning black.

To swirel dip, just drip your paint on top of a container of water, GENTLY swirel it around with a toothpick or the like, and dip the shaft through it, twisting as you go. Air bubbles are fairly common, but with practice, you can minimize them.

Jim Rebuck of J and M Traditions put out a DVD that shows you the process. Shows alot of other stuff as well. I dont know who the first was to do this, but Jim seems to have it perfected.

BP

Brian, them are some fine looking arrows. Flint

Freaking beautiful!!!!

Very nice.  I am thinking Red and Black will be perfect for taking to hunt in the great state of Georgia in December.

Nice arrows!

What kind for paint did you "drip" into the water?

Well I just found out how I plan to do my arrows for this hunting season.  Blue and white with blue and white feathers.  Oh baby this should be good

Maybe Ill give it a test run and then make a quick little video if you guys would be interested.  I have never done this before but hey we can all learn together right?

That is so cool and yes please do the video.

I would love to see video.  Those arrows look awesome. WOW

Alright I just gave it my first try and, the results are decent.  I am going to let them dry and then try to see how brittle the finish is.  I am doing these on carbon arrows so for you wood guys im not sure how it will work out.  It really isnt that difficult to do.  I think we can figure this thing out after all.  I would be interested in hearing someone explain how to avoid the bubbles when pulling them out of the water.  Stay tuned for a video soon enough.

Somethings I have learned from the first attempt... Use an oil based paint and a deep bucket.  I used a mop bucket, not nearly deep enough to get the full 10" crown dip that we all normally like to have.  Ill fix that for the video.
Dont do this technique on any concrete you like.  If you do put something under where you will be working.  I have blue paint on my patio now that I need to get cleaned up.  
Do this in a relatively cool place, if you do outside in the sun.  The paint floating on top of the water will dry (believe it or not) and become a film on top of the water that pulls under the water with your arrow and becomes a big glob of goo on your arrow.  

Other than that I am still working on how to avoid bubbles, and making sure I have the correct base color to marble color ratio to get a solid looking arrow.

I will try and get a picture of mine, I just sponge painted them, after staining, and sealing with two coats of laquer, then paint and seal with 2 more.

Man you work fast.

i use testors model paint in a room temp water, work quick though. when you dip them.  i take a paper clip put it in the testors paint and then place 3-4 drips of paint into the water then swirl it around to get desired effect, dip the shaft and then twist it bringing it out, and then without touching the newley dipped shaft give it a couple of flick to remove the water, the residual paint will coag in the water get another clip and remove the paint from the water. it will stick to the clip. ( work fast  ) with each arrow or it wont turn out

Did I mention how awesome that is.  I would also like to see the sponge paint arrow toddster.

Well the second batch turned out so much better.  Now I need to strip the first batch and try those over again.

Nice job, Dustin.