What do you finish your wooden arrows with?

[kevinsmith5]

I've fired up the dowel cutter and made some 3/8" poplar shafts....sanded and have them tied in a bundle with some carbon arrows. Now my question is, what to use as a finish? Polyurethane? Oil? Vaseline?

[Jim Davis]

I think most people  use poly in one form or another. I'm impatient. I use spray lacquer or, lately, lacquer sanding sealer. Either is quite dry in half an hour.

Jim Davis

[Adam]

I use a spray can of polyurethane.  I sand lightly with fine steel wool and give them 4 or 5 coats.  It seems to work pretty well.

[Scowler]

I use wipe on Spar Urethane.

[Pat B]

I've used poly(dipped) on store bought arrows and Tru-Oil or pitch varnish on shoot arrows.

[iowabow]

I stopped finishing hunting arrows so they would be white. Now in the snow they are hard to find so I will coat with charcoal.

[kevinsmith5]

Ive found some some simple directions for a dip tube, so I think satin polyp will be my choice. Next question....taper? Worth doing? Never shot tapered arrows, but have also found a simple jig for that. Or should I just keep the first ones simple?

[Pat B]

Keep your first ones simple until you get comfortable with the process.   I would suggest you use gloss poly for arrows. It is a lot tougher than satin. If they shine too much for you a quick spray of satin poly will cut the shine but make your sealer gloss poly.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Satin is loud as well. Ive tred it. The "rough" surface makes lots of noise. I have tried gasket laquer, wipe on, spray, dipped urethanes and Tru Oil. Tru Oil is the only finish that has never flaked off at the point taper.

[Dictionary]

I use wax.....i use wax on everything. Bows, arrows, and any other wood work i do.

Melt the wax over a fire. Take a rag or something and rub it on the wood. Then heat the wood over a fire. This melts the wax and allows it to penetrate the wood. Has a nice dull shine over it.

Anyone else do this?

[ncpat]

I use wax.....i use wax on everything. Bows, arrows, and any other wood work i do.

Melt the wax over a fire. Take a rag or something and rub it on the wood. Then heat the wood over a fire. This melts the wax and allows it to penetrate the wood. Has a nice dull shine over it.

Anyone else do this?

Do you wax the shaft before fletching/nocking/pointing? I would think any glue would hardly stick to the wax. 

[Stefan]

Danish oil but its not for those who are impatient. its oil so it will take time before you can fletch

[kevinsmith5]

I already use Danish oil on my Bows. Love how it looks, but was thinking I'd need a more durable finish on arrows? How does it hold up to hitting dirt?

[Marc St Louis]

I also use wax, after fletching

[steve b.]

Titebond III.  One coat, done.  Smooth it down with a quick wipe of steel wool.