To make it stop checking

[lungbuster]

this bow is a little wet yet,still have some tillering to do but as its drying it checking at the end,i think when i go to pull it back its going to split unless i can stop it from checking at the tips?

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[Pat B]

If it is still somewhat wet you need to seal the ends and back to prevent it from checking. What wood is it?  Shellac is a good sealer and removes easily if needed later or most finishes will go right over the shellac. Carpenters glue is a good sealer too but a bit more difficult to remove when the stave is dry enough to work.
  Also if it is still a bit wet you will cause it to take a set when you stress it. Try to let it dry completely before you bend the limbs more than a few inches.

[Dano]

You just cut this wood didn't you? A stave needs to dry for awhile ya know. Cutting them down to near bow dimensions will speed up drying time. But we are still talking months of drying time.

[Kent D.]

If it is a little wet, you need to seal the back, and the ends to keep them from drying uneven, which is what causes the cracks and checks.  I agree, schellac is good, laquire is good, deft, Ive even used spray acrilic before to seal a hackberry stave.  That is for the back.  Nothing beats good old fashion wax for the ends.

[George Tsoukalas]

Finish the back smooth. Remove the nicks, sand with 100 grit, 220 grit, 400 and 600 grit. If you are going to stain then stain the  back. Then put on 3 coats of spar urethane on back and ends only.  Get that spar on pronto. Jawge