Refinishing Question

[Stickbow]

I am going to touch up the edges of a couple sets of limbs as the finish has cracked and wood is exposed. I am about function as much as I am bout looks, just trying to protect my tools.

I asked my wife to pick up some Minwax fast drying Polyurethane and she did but the guy at the store talked her into getting Minwax indoor/outdoor Helmsman spar urethane as well. He said that the polyurethane was only for indoor use. So I have both cans sitting here (both in rattle cans) trying to decide.

Any words of wisdom?

Thanks, Rob

[JimB]

Both will work.If I had both,I'd probably go with the indoor,outdoor.

[Caboo]

I would use Helmsman Spar urethane.

[Orion]

I use the Helmsman.  Better for outdoor use.

[Stickbow]

Awesome................thanks guys

[Fletcher]

The spar finish is made to allow for expansion and contraction in the wood plus will have more resistance to UV.  It will also "yellow" more.  Both will work, but you might feel more confident with the spar.

[Dave Worden]

Spar.  That's what I use to finish bows that I make.  Good thing the guy didn't sell her some lacquer.  It's a great finish, but not for bows as it'll crack not flex with the bow.  Sounds like the quy was actually knowledgeable!

[7 Lakes]

Go with the Spar, it will flex into a U on a split bamboo rod without cracking or crysaling.  
Works great on bows also.

[Stickbow]

Well with all this good input I will pose another question.

I picked up a sweet old Kodiak last winter but the finish is in bad shape. This seemed to work so well on my current bows do you think I should use this product to refinish my Bear?

[Bud B.]

Originally posted by Stickbow:
Well with all this good input I will pose another question.

I picked up a sweet old Kodiak last winter but the finish is in bad shape. This seemed to work so well on my current bows do you think I should use this product to refinish my Bear?

Yep. I spayed an old Bear with spar and it does great.

[shag08]

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=006473

Check this thread out over in the Trad History/Collecting forum...maybe the link posted correctly.

If you are in to refinishing/restoration, this is THE thread...the best on the net. And it's right here at home on Trad Gang!

[Air Cleaver]

I'm glad you asked this qestion because I'm in the same situation. I have a can of each and was going to flip a coin. Just sanded down a 58 bear polar.

[Stickbow]

There is a lot of knowledge here...........

[yeager]

Here's my '64 & '58 Kodiaks that I refinished using Min-wax wipe on poly.  Currently in the process of refinishing my '57 Kodiak.  Bowdoc's Restoration 101 was a big help!