Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: ntvbowyer1969 on July 31, 2018, 08:09:03 pm

Title: question on silk backing
Post by: ntvbowyer1969 on July 31, 2018, 08:09:03 pm
hello guys and gals. I was wondering if anyone has ran into trouble with gluing silk on the backs of bows and having the silk change colors from darkening when we with glue. I was wondering if anyone found a solution to this problem? I was thinking about not applying until the glue was good and tacky before installing the silk therefor not causing so much bleed through causing the darkening. I was also worried about going that route and not have the glue go into the material enough to get a good bond. The reason i am concerned about the changes in color is i want to glue a snake skin over the silk and i want the color of the silk to show through. any advice would be awesome thx. Anthony
Title: Re: question on silk backing
Post by: Pat B on July 31, 2018, 08:24:32 pm
You want the glue to saturate the silk for the best protection. What glue are you using? Thinned white carpenters glue should have minimal effect.
Title: Re: question on silk backing
Post by: ntvbowyer1969 on July 31, 2018, 09:31:21 pm
Hello Pat. yea i know i want to saturate it from the other bows i have done. I use titebond 3. i hunt a lot in the rain and humid weather so i like the way it repels water. In this instance i am trying to maintain a majority of the color of the silk so it will show through the skins i am gluing over top where the transparent scales are. it seems when the silk gets wet from the glue it changes for a majority of colors i have tried on test scraps of osage.
Title: Re: question on silk backing
Post by: tattoo dave on August 01, 2018, 08:00:21 pm
I’ve tried clear epoxies just for this reason, and still have the same issue. I think there’s no way to avoid that. It’s just like when putting clear coats on wood, color always changes some. You could always get a lighter color silk, and experiment with glues to see how much the change is, and possibly end up with the color you originally intended.

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: question on silk backing
Post by: Pat B on August 01, 2018, 08:39:24 pm
Use a rawhide backing and color it however you want. Rawhide makes a good paint pallet.
Title: Re: question on silk backing
Post by: PatM on August 01, 2018, 09:54:35 pm
You're always going to run into that problem due to the fact that material changes color with "wetting".  Silk is really bad for that.
Title: Re: question on silk backing
Post by: ntvbowyer1969 on August 01, 2018, 10:27:54 pm
Thx guys off to the bow dungeon to experiment. I might also try some leather dye. i like silk because its lighter than rawhide. i will see and will let you all know how it turns out.