Sealing a bow

[Luker]

I recently completed my second bow. The only thing I have left to do is finish and seal the bow. I sealed my first bow with a polyurethane spray. The bow isn't taking in moisture which is good but it just doesn't look the way I want it to. Most of the bows on this website appear to be shiny and they look really good. How can I get a similar effect? Is there a certain brand or kind of sealer that I should use to seal my bow and make it shine? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you

[Bryce]

6-9 coats of Tru-Oil

[Weylin]

6-9 coats of Tru-Oil

This.

[crooketarrow]

   Wax and buff with a cotten rag.
  But this only give it a slight luster and it go's away qiuckly.
  But you can rewax and buff any time used like. ( YOU HAVE A BRAND NEW BOW) Only takes a few mintes. With other sealers when it's done it's done. It will lose it's shine with age if it's used and it's took out in the weather.

   You don't what a shine for a hunting bow anyway.
   

[dwardo]

Tried a few finishes, polly brush on varnish, spray, linseed etc.
Not tried any of these since discovering Tru-oil. If you are struggling to get hold of it try your local gunsmith.
Its easy to apply, dries fast, no cleaning brushes just apply with a finger tip.

[George Tsoukalas]

There are different types of poly sheen-high gloss, semi gloss and satin. The high gloss would have the most sheen and the satin the less.

I was once told I was better off using satin. Then I killed a deer with a bow finished with semi gloss. 

My osage bows get 3 coats of Tru Oil and 3 coats of spar urethane. I like the way Tru Oil seals the pores but favor spar urethane for water proofing.
Jawge

[AH]

I use tung oil to get that shine, usually around 6 coats is enough to get a nice gloss.

[beetlebailey1977]

I like using the Helmsman Spar Urethane in satin, (spray can).....works well for me.....have not used true oil.  But I will shortly.

[osage outlaw]

Tru-oil works great if you want a bow to shine and have a high gloss, smooth finish.  Spray poly will work but I have found that any spray finish isn't as smooth as a hand rubbed tru-oil finish. 

I just tried something new for a quick and easy hunting finish.  I put 5 coats of spray shellac on the bow, buffed it with 0000 steel wool and then rubbed on a thin coat of TB3.  It has no shine at all and should keep the moisture out. 

[wood_bandit99]

I use linseed and when it's dry I buff it with a really fine rag for cleaning binos. It is dull but looks good. I also rub a beeswax on it and do the same with the rag. It is clean but low luster

[Danzn Bar]

I just tried something new for a quick and easy hunting finish.  I put 5 coats of spray shellac on the bow, buffed it with 0000 steel wool and then rubbed on a thin coat of TB3.  It has no shine at all and should keep the moisture out. 
[/quote]

Never thought about TB3 for a water repellent finished    I bet it's a hard finished tooo.  is it ??  Clint

DBar

[beetlebailey1977]

As far as the spar urethane I also use fine steel wool on it to smooth it up when it is dry.

[osage outlaw]

I just tried something new for a quick and easy hunting finish.  I put 5 coats of spray shellac on the bow, buffed it with 0000 steel wool and then rubbed on a thin coat of TB3.  It has no shine at all and should keep the moisture out. 

Never thought about TB3 for a water repellent finished    I bet it's a hard finished tooo.  is it ??  Clint

DBar
[/quote]


I'll let you look at it in about 3 weeks.  Its the same bow that I brought to the last shoot.  It was only sealed with shellac then.

[bubby]

I've been using 5-6 coats of tung oil and then 5 coats of paste wax, gives it a nice finish that is semi shiny

[Bryce]

Steve b. uses tb3 as a finish for his arrows