Finishing/Refinishing your bow

LostHawg · 03-22-2004, 10:13 AM

I'm getting ready to do some maintenance on my longbow. A lot of scratches and one or two bare spots in the finish. I'm either going to use Polyeurethane or order Tru-Oil from 3 Rivers. If you know of any other finishes to use let me know. I was thinking of going to one of the local gun shops and get some stock oil/finish.

Have any of you done this in the past? What did you use?

I've also got two selfbows coming to me that have not been finished yet. I will do them the same.

Frontloader · 03-22-2004, 06:19 PM

Losthawg. Funny you should mention that at this time.

I am refinishing my target muzzleloader gun stock with a method I picked up on the leatherwall.

It is an epoxy finish and I think it will work well. I have used True Oil on the gunstock in the past but have to refinish it about every year because of the cleaners I use to clean the barrel.

Very simple and easy to do. I probably have about 6 coats on it now. I want a hard thick finish on it. One that will last I hope.

I would suggest finding the thread and I think it was called the Massey finish. Not Jeff Massie but Jay Massey.

I redid the handle on my longbow with True Oil after I recrafted the grip from a recurve grip to a longbow locater grip. True Oil will work well on the bow from my experience. Easy to put on and you can continue to add any time you wish. In fact it is praobably easier then the epoxy finish because you can work out the streaks as you put it on.

Let me know if you have any questions.

LostHawg · 03-22-2004, 07:20 PM

I was intending to go with the Tru Oil anyway, was just wanting to make sure I was headed in the right direction. The way I see it, is if I mess it up I can always redo it.

Thanks for your input.

Anymore suggestions? What else may be used for finishing wood that will also work as a reliable weather seal?

Linedawg · 03-22-2004, 07:37 PM

Losthawg, I've had to refinish a selfbow and the bowyer recommended spar-urethane. It comes in gloss or satin finish and seemed to work well with the selfbow. I put it on thin and built up layers.

I haven't tried that "Massey" finish but I've heard it is tough. On the "Tradgang" website they were talking about this some time back. They talked about how some woods have more oil in them making different finishes tougher to apply. You might want to check into that as well. Good luck and post pics when you get done.

LostHawg · 03-23-2004, 06:40 AM

I'm gonna swing by the gun shop and see what they are using to refinish gun stocks and go from there. I know I can get the tru oil from three rivers, but, when I do it, I'd rather not have to wait on a shipment from Ohio. Anyway, I may be able to get a better price locally. Keep my business in town while I'm at it.

LostHawg · 03-25-2004, 06:53 AM

Well was looking around yesterday and found that Tru Oil can be found just about anywhere they carry gun supplies. I also priced that Spar Urethane. Think I'll give it a try. Since I have 3 bows I need to do, figure the larger container would be more economical. Sides, I'm gonna start building selfbows soon.

Frontloader · 03-25-2004, 07:40 PM

Losthawg

That little container of True Oil will do 5 bows, three gunstocks, and two wooden rockers. :shock:

I never use a container up. It thickens up before I ever finish a bottle because I run out of things to finish. The hand rubbed finish makes it so you use very little. :lol:

LostHawg · 03-26-2004, 06:56 AM

I've about made up my mind to just send it in to Bill and let him do it. Thanks for all the information.

I wasn't sure how many one of those little bottles would do. I suppose you just dab it on and then work it around till you get a good, smooth even coat?

Frontloader · 03-26-2004, 08:27 PM

My guess it would take you a month to use the bottle up putting on two coats a day. One in the morning and one in the evening.

Just a dap on the finger and start rubbing till it is gone and repeat the process over and over and over.

Again, I may be stretching the truth a little. :roll:

LostHawg · 04-12-2004, 11:13 AM

Okay, now I'm working on a selfbow. Finishing it. I have two to do.

Bow #1
Yellow Birch backed with Hickory:

(Too Bright)
First thing I did was take some of my leather dye and stained the bow a russet color. I steelwooled it down to a smooth sheen. I then cleaned it using a dry cloth. Next, I basted (for lack of a better word) thoroughly with Spar Urethane. When I went to bed last night the urethane was still slightly tacky. Should be ready to work with when I get home this evening.

Looks good. I'll try to get a pic and post once I've finished the bow completely.

Linedawg · 04-12-2004, 09:27 PM

Can't wait to see it.

LostHawg · 04-13-2004, 06:54 AM

Well, last night after working on arrers I check on the bow. Looking good. I sanded using 0000 steel wool (it was either that or sand paper) till it was smoooooooth. Cleaned it up again using a dry, clean cloth and worked another coat of urethane on. Once I got a good even coat, I again hung the bow up to dry.

Haven't figured out a good way to hang the bow yet, but the way I'm using works. I have two steel pegs mounted on the wall and lay the bow across those. The steel wool should take care of any lines left by the pegs. We'll see. I'm open for suggestions.

LostHawg · 04-14-2004, 11:30 AM

Here's a vague pic of the work in progress.

LostHawg · 04-14-2004, 11:31 AM

And one more.

Linedawg · 04-14-2004, 09:34 PM

Man, you are just the wizard. When I get the snake skins for my bow I'll be looking for your professional help!