Author Topic: snake skin finish  (Read 4825 times)

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Offline sleek

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snake skin finish
« on: March 10, 2012, 03:03:11 pm »
When Yall finish your bows and decide to lay snake skin over em, do yall just glue down the skin and leave it, or put a finish over it? If you do, what do you use and why?
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

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Offline sleek

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Re: snake skin finish
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2012, 03:10:23 pm »
I am thinking a waterd down light coat of tightbondIII?
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline seabass

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Re: snake skin finish
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2012, 03:15:33 pm »
i used the same finish that i use on the bow to go over the skins.
Middletown,Ohio

Offline Carson (CMB)

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Re: snake skin finish
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2012, 03:34:01 pm »
I have used both polyurethane and shellac on snake skins, both with good results, and as seabass said, the same finish as on the rest of the bow.   
"The bow is the old first lyre,
the mono chord, the initial rune of fine art
The humanities grew out from archery as a flower from a seed
No sooner did the soft, sweet note of the bow-string charm the ear of genius than music was born, and from music came poetry and painting and..." Maurice Thompso

Offline sleek

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Re: snake skin finish
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2012, 04:42:05 pm »
What if I want a non glossy finish for hunting purposes?
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: snake skin finish
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2012, 06:25:01 pm »
I use tru-oil over skins.  Makes them really shine.  If you want a dull finish, spray a coat of satin polyurethane over it.
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline RDK

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Re: snake skin finish
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2012, 06:30:35 pm »
For a dull snake skin finish-- I leave the scales on--finish with tru-oil and then go over everything with steel wool to further dull the finish.  I think leaving the scales on gives the skins depth so there is less shine-the wool further dulls.  I'll try the spray satin poly on descaled skins next time--sounds like that may give a nicer look. 
"Everyday north of the grass is a good day!"

"Be wise; we need Mother Earth, Mother Earth does not need us."

Ron,   Bangor, Michigan

Offline sleek

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Re: snake skin finish
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2012, 07:27:23 pm »
I have already taken the scales off, I will try the satin poly finish to see how that looks...
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others