Transparent Backings

[Slackbunny]

I am currently working on a project that should be backed, but I would like to maintain the wood look on the back. I havn't done much work with backings so I am pretty inexperienced with them. Is there any type of "primitive" backing that will be transparent when finished?

[Pat B]

Rawhide backing usually dried white although sometimes it comes out transparent. It makes a very strong but light backing.

[mullet]

I have some white silk that is transparent when used for backing.

[PEARL DRUMS]

The rawhide I have or have used dried white as Pat said. I did see two pair at the store the other day that were amber transparent in color, my DUMB butt picked them up twice and sat them back down because they where $24 per pair. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I should call up there and tell them to send them to me. Coolest rawhide ever. Eddie's silk idea sounds good, but maybe not as primitive as you like.

[osage outlaw]

White tissue paper dries clear, but that won't give you any strength benifits.  I would guess Mullet has the best idea.

[Tortoise]

You can try transparent fiberglass, that preserves the wood too.

[adb]

I've used deer rawhide on a yew stave, and it dried clear. Just make sure you use a glue that will also dry clear, like TB1. I used TB3 with rawhide, and TB3 dries brown.

[sadiejane]

used tb II and deer rawhide on one bow-dried almost clear. you can see the grain of the osage.

[mullet]

I'll send you some of that silk if you want.

[soy]

You can try transparent fiberglass, that preserves the wood too.

[Slackbunny]

You know, I think I might have some silk here that may do the trick. I'll have to do a test piece. Thanks.

[Keenan]

Often the underside of sturgeon skin will finish out transparent