linen backing THEN varnish?

[Lycanstar]

should i apply the backing before coating with spar varnish?  also, is spar varnish or teak oil a better option?  will the movement of the wood fibers upon drawing cause the polyurethane to crack?

[ZanderPommo]

poly works fine on  wood, don't know about linen, whered ya get your linen by the way?

Zander

[Lycanstar]

hobby lobby

[lowell]

Poly should be ok.  I've used it over linen!!

[armymedic.2]

thats a great question, i always thought that the poly would crack too.  i even coated one bow with 6 coats to see if building it up would cause crystals to form.  not a one,  i don't know why it doesn't but it doesn't.  One thing to consider is beware how much sheen is in the poly you pick,  i like matte for hunting bows, and glass for target bows.  no sense in bringing a mirrior to the woods, even though i do it all the time ++

[DanaM]

Spar varnish works fine over linen. Big difference between spar varnish and poly guys, spar varinish is a marine type of finish
its made to be wet and exposed to UV rays. Regular old poly is indoor finish and as such its pretty much crap in my opinion anyway.

[PeteC]

Like Dana said.Apply your backing ,then varnish.Another little trick.With spar varnish,you'll get a much cleaner finish if you use several thin coats,versus a couple of heavy coats. Merry Christmas, and God Bless

[George Tsoukalas]

Spar varnish is what I use for bows these days. It comes in spray form  too. Jawge

[Lycanstar]

does the spray give the same results?

[DanaM]

I don't like the spray, its more expensive and I don't think it covers as well but many folks like it.

[George Tsoukalas]

It dries quicker than the brush on for me. I find it makes a darn near impermeable finish. I usually put on 3 light coats. Jawge

[DanaM]

George the only time I tried it, it just wouldn't dry Maybe an old can, it was humid out but regular brush
on dried just fine.

[Hillbilly]

I really like the Helmsman spray spar urethane, I've used it on several bows with good results. It usually dries in a few minutes, even here in the Land Of Constant Humidity. Several light coats is the ticket.

[George Tsoukalas]

Apology: spar urethane is what I use now. Spar varnish is what I used to use on my snowshoes. Dana, I've used the spar and brush on. Whatever suits you. I probably brushed on too much so that's why it too so long to dry. Jawge

[Lycanstar]

thanks guys.  i appreciate the help.