Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: KShip85 on April 24, 2010, 07:00:14 pm

Title: Saran wrap?
Post by: KShip85 on April 24, 2010, 07:00:14 pm

Has anyone ever tried Saran wrap for keeping the moisture in a stave?  I cut some elm and peeled the bark today and this stuff is soaking wet.  I tried spraying and brushing lacquer on it and it was too wet for that.  I wrapped two of the smaller ones and plan on doing the rest tonight.  I figure it's worth a shot and should keep the moisture in there.  Thanks for looking!

Kip

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: Justin Snyder on April 24, 2010, 07:08:17 pm

Brush on some elmers glue. Saran wrap might cause you to mold and that is the last thing you want.

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: DanaM on April 24, 2010, 07:40:53 pm

elm is pretty tough I wouldn't worry about checkink while drying, if you feel you must seal it give it a day or two to dry then seal it with shellac

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: KShip85 on April 24, 2010, 08:28:57 pm

Thanks for the help guys!

Kip

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: TRACY on April 25, 2010, 02:40:20 am

Yeah the humidity is a little high today. Put the elmers or spar on the ends and back. Reapply if needed. Let us know how the saran works out

Tracy

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: zenmonkeyman on April 25, 2010, 02:44:23 am

I've used saran with good results.  The mold is definitely a possibility, which is why I would unwrap my stave for a few hours every day, then re-wrap it to even out the moisture content again to prevent checking.  Might not work on all woods though!

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: Timo on April 25, 2010, 09:57:46 am

Curious as to why you would want to keep moisture in the stave? ???

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: Pat B on April 25, 2010, 10:01:09 am

If the stave is too wet to seal, give it a few hours to dry(surface) and then seal it.  By holding the moisture in with saran wrap you could be giving fungi a foot in the door. Not a good idea.

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: Timo on April 25, 2010, 10:46:24 am

Quote

If the stave is too wet to seal, give it a few hours to dry(surface) and then seal it.

I agree. I have cut osage in the summer,peeled the bark, let it dry a couple hours,then sealed it with shellac,(3 coats). Never had a problem with them checking. ;)

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: Marc St Louis on April 25, 2010, 11:46:50 am

Sealing a white-wood is not a good idea

Title: Re: Saran wrap?
Post by: denny on April 25, 2010, 12:28:22 pm

What kinda elm ,Is it slippery elm which is white, or red elm which looks red- brown ?  The latter is the bow wood you want. However it is not a good idea to use the wrap,it will cause it to mold or you will get some nasty black rout spots up and down and they go deep. Don.t worry about the moisture, parafin wax the ends and let dry for 24 hours and put cheap white glue on the outside of stave . The worst thing you could do is trap the moisture in it . good luck  Denny