Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TheWildCat on July 19, 2009, 10:34:56 pm

Title: Waxin your Bow
Post by: TheWildCat on July 19, 2009, 10:34:56 pm
Just finished a new bow yesterday. Followed the Build-a-Long by Gordon Fertlitsch. came out real nice, though I am not the Craftsman that Gordon is. My question is: What Wax do Y'all use on your bows to protect em???

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Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: tombo on July 19, 2009, 10:47:59 pm
Awesome photo Wildcat! I can't answer your question but you'll get a lot of answers soon. i usually spray laquor my bows with matte finish. I may start waxing or oiling soon, however. I think it's better.
Tom
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: rileyconcrete on July 19, 2009, 10:52:50 pm
I have made only one bow but, I read in a book by jim hamm you can use vgtable shortening.  So thats what I did.  It doesnt change the color of the wood and protects it.  I used an all natural shortening. Hope this helps.

Tell
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: Pat B on July 19, 2009, 11:47:17 pm
Hey Wildcat, I use Tru-Oil on all of my bows. Almost any good wood finish will work for you. 
   I hope you realize we need more pics than just the tease shot. ;) How bout a full draw, braced and side profile on it unbraced. I like what I see so far but it ain't quite enough! ;D
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: El Destructo on July 19, 2009, 11:55:14 pm
                                                    If it aint Tru Oiled.......it's Greased.....period
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: FVR on July 20, 2009, 12:23:07 am
I use clear spraypaint to seal the bow and sinew, 4 coats with fine steel wool.  Then I will usually use minwax 4 coats. I will throw it in the heat box a few times.  Lately I've been using car wax as I'm out of minwax.  Works good.
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: TheWildCat on July 20, 2009, 06:43:29 am
  Thanks fer the great comments. The bow has a finish on it. Per Gordon's Build-A -Long, I used a TrueOil finish. It has many layers on it. Its ready fer shootin. I wanted to protect the finish with some Wax. I am a hands on feller. There are time when I can't get out. I get my rifles and shotguns out and give em a good cleanin and apply a little wax to em, to give em a good luster and protect em. I would like to do the same to my bows. Wipe em down to get the dust offin of em and apply a little Wax as well.
   I knew the pic was gonna be a tease. Plannin on havin my buddy takes some full draw pics fer me this week. "Hazel" is 70" Tip to Top...68" Knock to Knock. She is 50# @ 28". Like Gordon's bow, she is a Hazelnut Limb Bow.
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: cracker on July 20, 2009, 07:53:48 am
I use spray polyurethane and several coats of Johnsons paste wax.Ron
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: Hillbilly on July 20, 2009, 08:37:16 am
Mighty fine looking bow, how about some more pics? Johnson's paste wax works good for over-the-finish protection.
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: Stonedog on July 24, 2009, 09:09:28 pm
Its spar uretahne or tru-oil for me....and then coats of johnson paste wax thru the year!
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: AKAPK on July 25, 2009, 03:06:24 am
How about Mineral Oil then wax ;)
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: TheWildCat on July 25, 2009, 06:22:24 pm
Thanks y'all. Will pick up some Johnsons paste Wax this week.  I just posted some pics of my bow under the subject New Bow.
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 25, 2009, 07:10:21 pm
My last osage bow had 2 coats of Tru Oil and 3 coats of spar urethane. So far it has also had 2 coats of furniture wax. Jawge
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: El Destructo on July 25, 2009, 08:52:49 pm
I have never waxed a Bow in my Life....I must be missing the Boat here....but if you seal a Bow with Spar Urethane....what is the point in Wax...to make it shiny??? Spar Urethane is used on Yachts and all things exposed to the Weather....I could see maybe Waxing a Bow that was just Oiled...and I would not do that either....I would put another coat of Grease on it...but I don't see the significance in waxing a Urethane......JMO
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 25, 2009, 10:28:52 pm
Just a little extra insurance in a pouring rain to keep the wood from raising grain. Jawge
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: TheWildCat on July 26, 2009, 08:59:19 am
I agree. I wax my boat as well, though its not a yaught. But ifin I could afford a yaught, bet I could afford to have someone wax it. I just like the extra protection. Don't really know what True oil is made of, so don't know ifin there is any polyureathane in it. But its a true oil fininsh, with nothin else on it. No Sir, I don't want to make the bow shinny either. I purposely took the shinny offin this bow by usin some fine pumice, to give it a satin look. I am sure leavin it without the wax would be ok. I was taught to wax my gun stocks when cleanin em fer extra protection. I come to appreciate the curves of the wood in a stock and built a few of those as well. Goin over the lines of my bow with a little wax, will bring back to memry, the work I put in her in the buildin. Ifin any cracks or splinters appear, I'll find em.
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: denny on July 26, 2009, 10:41:13 am
Just a little note, I use t-5 laquer made by plastic coat, it dries fast and is self leveling and builds nicely. I then wax it rubb it down with MCGUIRE atuo wax.or any other good quality wax. That is to say, high amounts of carnuba wax. Carnuba is the heart of quality wax. However, Like some one said if the wood is sealed wax only beautifies the bow or might protect the small thin areas of laquer finished areas or whatever else you have finished the bow with. By the way a very seasoned bowyer shared this info with me a few years ago, it can be bought at most auto stores any monkey like me can do a professional job.
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: d frana on July 29, 2009, 07:05:08 pm
I've used a half and half mix of urathane (spar prefered) and mineral oil with good results.  I  just rub it on with a rag like other oil finishes.  The first coat will pretty much soak right in and I add 2 or 3 more.
Title: Re: Waxin your Bow
Post by: d frana on July 30, 2009, 06:46:12 pm
I messed up.  I use mineral spirits and spar urathane, not mineral oil.  i use it on my arrows too.