Streaks in glass on limbs?

[raideranch]

I have a new bow that I shot for the 3rd time today and I noticed that there was streaks in the clear glass on the front face of both limbs.  The streaks are parallel to the limbs.  I was wondering if this was normal or not?  Thanks

[lpcjon2]

Were they there before you shot it? are they cracks or streaks?

[Bowwild]

I would guess your limb veneers are very dark and you have clear glass over them?  Apparently there are streaks in clear fiberglass that are more noticeable when over dark veneers such as Macassar. I'm told this is only cosmetic. This is why I won't select limb veneers that are super dark.

[raideranch]

They are streaks and I'm pretty sure they weren't there when I received the bow.  The glass on the opposite side of the limbs does not have any streaks.  The veneers aren't too dark.

[Bowwild]

Sounds like a call to your bowyer is in order. All who I've talked to and done business with would be very eager to know the issue and solve it for you.

[vermonster13]

Very little truly clear glass available of late. Streaks are becoming the norm rather than the exception unfortunately.

[ksbowman]

I've shot several bows with streaks and they don't affect the shooting of the bow or longevity at all.Just adds character.

Yes, I have seen this in many bows over the years and most of them were new.  The quality of clear glass varies from time to time.  Several years ago you could easily get "truly clear" glass.

I have a suspicion that your bow is just fine.  The streaks are inherent in the glass and should cause you no problems.

As Roy said above, a call to your bowyer is in order...if only to set your mind at ease.

[raideranch]

Thanks

[amar911]

Basically every bowyer uses Gordon Bo-Tuff, and Gordon Composites has had a problem with streaks in its clear glass for years. The streaks were not there in the older clear glass, but for some reason they started appearing in some batches of the clear glass and are now quite common. The streaks are "only" cosmetic, but they do detract significantly from an otherwise beautiful bow. If you see streaks, they did not just appear over time, they were there all along and you just didn't notice them. Direct sunlight brings them out and makes them very noticeable, especially over dark veneers. The following links include what Bill Howland of Brackenbury Bows and O.L. Adcock (who developed the ACS bows) have to say about the streaks, and these comments have appeared on their websites for years.

 http://www.brackenburybows.com/general.htm  

 http://www.bowmaker.net/materials.htm  

Allan

[PEARL DRUMS]

Most all of my newer bows all have streaky clear glass, even my "high end" bow does. It doesnt hurt any. I have refinished a few and used satin poly from 12" away, it made the streaks almost impossible to see.

[buckster]

One of my recent bows has bucote veneers on the back and red cedar on the belly, you can see the streaks on the red cedar side but not a big deal.

I called the bowyer when I first received the bow and he stated what the others above have, that it's not something that they have any control over.  I was still very pleased with the bow!

[fz4vgq]

I have a newer Shrew  Classic Hunter with very dark cocobolo veneers. I can see some streaks in the glass...... been shooting the heck out of this bow for almost a year. No problems at all.... truly cosmetic only.

[Kris]

Everything amar911 said.  Also, yes...the streaks are cosmetic but isn't that the reason we order clear glass over a figured veneer? You are paying extra, in most cases, to feature this beautiful veneer under clear glass. IMO the glass should be as clear as the glass over a fine coffee table. I am apprehensive to order a new bow anymore, pay $1000 or more and have streaks through the limbs. This to me is unacceptable and unfortunate.

I have talked to several of the nationally known bowyers about this and the answer is always the same "you can't see the streaks in the glass before you lay them up, they only reveal themselves within the glass once they come out of the form" Some other bowyers say the lay the glass on a black table and wet it with water to reveal the streaks. So, is there something that can be done about it? I do not make glass bows, so I cannot say from personal experience.

I would like to see more bowyers reject streaked glass and demand absolutely clear stock material. Is Gordon Bo-Tuff doing all they can to ensure a quality, cosmetically streak-free product? What would it take?

All the custom bows I own right now are without streaks and that did not happen by accident. I will not buy a used bow with streaked glass, no matter how much I might like it otherwise.

Kris