Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DC on September 17, 2014, 05:55:59 pm

Title: Burnishing
Post by: DC on September 17, 2014, 05:55:59 pm

Does burnishing a bow affect its ability to hold a finish? I just burnished the back of a Doug Maple bow and it came out like glass. Made me wonder about tung oil sticking.

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: PatM on September 17, 2014, 06:13:32 pm

Not an oil finish.
 It would limit the capacity of some finishes to really adhere but not enough to worry  about it  flaking off.

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: DC on September 17, 2014, 06:34:20 pm

Thanks Pat

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: osage outlaw on September 17, 2014, 06:39:55 pm

I've used tung oil and tru oil on burnished bows and never had a problem

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: DC on September 17, 2014, 06:40:34 pm

More thanks :)

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: JonW on September 17, 2014, 06:41:55 pm

I haven't had trouble with any finishes but I heavily burnished a Hickory bow once and tried to put some stain on it and it wouldn't take the stain.

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: Pappy on September 18, 2014, 05:50:17 am

Same problem with stain, I now stain first if I plan on burnishing, but have had no problem with TruOil finish working fine. :) :) 
  Pappy

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: Pat B on September 18, 2014, 09:27:15 am

I never burnish bows so I wouldn't know.   ;)

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: RBLusthaus on September 18, 2014, 10:29:36 am

I remember a thread or article somewhere that said burnishing, at the micro level, actually breaks some o the wood fibers thereby making the back just a little weaker then it would otherwise have been.  Can't remember where I read that, though.  I don't burnish my bows, but do burnish arrow shafting.  Russ. 

Title: Re: Burnishing
Post by: wizardgoat on September 18, 2014, 11:42:40 am

I only burnish yew, and only use tung oil, so ya it works