Finish over sinew???

[newknapper]

I put a sinew patch on one limb of a bow, can i put tru-oil over the sinew?

[Kegan]

I believe so. I think it's one of the better finishes with a sinewed bow.

[newknapper]

What is better???

[El Destructo]

                                                                Tru Oil will work just fine

[adb]

I like snakeskin over sinew.

[Pappy]

Yes I use it all the time.
   Pappy

[newknapper]

Thanks guys

[uwe]

Eelskin is good, too. I even cured it with tungoil. This is an oil produced from a chinese nut, when I`m right.

[Pat B]

I've used Tru-Oil, spray poly and Massey Finish(epoxy thinned with acetone) over sinew backed bows with good results. I believe Tru-Oil is as good as any.      Pat

[JackCrafty]

Probably the most important thing is to make sure the sinew is dry before you put on the finish.  I think a waterproof finish is best....pitch, beeswax, or any type of oil that dries hard (linseed, tung, walnut) or a mixture of these.  Tru-oil certainly qualifies.

I've tried applying a finely ground dry pigment (or powder) to the sinew.  I've also "painted" on an alum/water solution over the sinew to make it less sticky and more water resistant.  Both of these things have worked for me....if I choose not to put a finish over the sinew.

[welch2]

I've used bentonite clay ,mixed with hide glue ,as a finish over the last layer of sinew . Use it kinda like gesso .

It evens up the surface a bit for painting ,the clay bonds very well with the glue , and it resists water after drying.

a quote from wikipedia ;

Bentonite also has the interesting property of adsorbing relatively large amounts of protein molecules from aqueous solutions.

But normally I use snake skins.


Ralph