Whats your faviorite bow finish?

[Gordon]

Mostly Tru-Oil. Occasionally I'll use T-bird expoxy if I need a bullet-proof finish.

[Pat B]

I have used Tru-Oil for many years and on many bows of many designs and never had it crack. Also, I have sat through some terrible downpours while hunting and the water beaded of. When caught in a rain storm I continue to hunt as long as I can stand it but when I get out of the stand I immediate unbrace the bow and give it a good wipe down with a dry towel when I get back to camp.     Pat

[Centerless]

The cracks in the tru-oil certainly could be my fault, maybe got it on too thick on each coat.  I have had at least three bows where the tru-oil cracked, always on the tension side.  These are very thin, just have to be in the right light to see cracks.  Maybe I stare at my bows too much, but they are there.

[mullet]

  I've had Tru-oil crack when I put it on too thick. Also, unless you want an ugly mess, don't spray Lacquer over Tru-oil.

[jamie]

animal fat for me. water isnt a problem for bows . water vapor as in humidity is. ive found nothing works better at keeping moisture out of wood like grease or oil. thats why oily woods dont really need a finish , they are already protected .

[Hillbilly]

I had Tru-oil chrysal on the belly of one bow. I think I put the individual coats on way too thick and pulled the bow before it was completely dry. Other than that, I haven't had any problems with it.

[NOMADIC PIRATE]

My latest bow, that I finished this week I used a 50/50 mix of shellac and linseed oil, rubbed in makes a real nice finish.

[SimonUK]

Only ever tried linseed oil and beeswax. I don't know how it compares to others, but it smells great.

Does anyone have an opinion on whether oil reduces the draw weight of a bow? Or the performance?

[akila]

Hello ...can you plz tell me how do you aply beeswax...do you melt it first...or do you rub the bow with solid beeswax, and thenn heat it with a heat-gun? and can you make it to have that shiny aspect??(glose aspect)

[El Destructo]

Hello ...can you plz tell me how do you aply beeswax...do you melt it first...or do you rub the bow with solid beeswax, and thenn heat it with a heat-gun? and can you make it to have that shiny aspect??(glose aspect)

You can just rub the wood with the Beeswax...and use a Heat Gun or your Wifes Hair Dryer.....the Later can be ugly if She catches you!!!! And just heat it till it absorbs into the wood...keep putting it on till it wont all soak in...let cool...wipe clean....your done......

Or you can melt it and add about 1/4 vaseline to 3/4 beeswax....mix it good....and rub this into the wood...

I prefer either Bear Grease (Tallow or Lard of any kind will work)....or Beeswax myself...quick and easy.....and the wood loves it...

[JackCrafty]

Pure Tung Oil....not the kind you buy at the local hardaware store (which is mixed with mineral spirits, wax, etc.).
I'm going to make the switch to animal fat & beeswax soon, though...

[Radon]

1st coat a mixture of 50% danish oli and 50% Turpentine
than 3 coats of 100% danish oil
than 2-3 coats of hard carnuba wax polished on with a buffing machine

[Pappy]

Usually Tru oil.and then car wax or spray on polyurethane.Satin finish to dull it or just light steel wool.I with Pat usually 5 or 6 coats if I plan on hunting with it,especially Hickory. 
    Pappy

[TRACY]

I use mainly tru oil and spar urethane. Light coats with steel wool in between each coat. At least 4 coats. Not had any of the previous problems with cracking/peeling off. Also use linseed and really like the natural finish topped with beeswax. It just takes a little longer to dry and seal than other methods, but I like it. Getting harder to find natural linseed that isn't chemically treated(boiled?).

[adb]

I like wipe-on semigloss polyurathane. It dries very quick, and gives a super nice finish. For a more natural route, I like tung oil. Make sure you get the fast drying stuff, otherwise it takes FOREVER. Over the tung oil, I also like to rub and polish in a layer of beeswax.