Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Black Moshannon on July 14, 2020, 01:19:26 pm

Title: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: Black Moshannon on July 14, 2020, 01:19:26 pm

I have an elm Sudbury style bow which I am giving to a friend. I originally rubbed lard into it for the finish. I have put a lot of lard onto it over about nine years and it’s a great shooter but now I want to finish it out real nice...can I spray on polyurethane wood finish over the slightly greasy lard? I don’t want to do this and have the stuff not dry. I’m afraid no one else will have done stuff like this. I know it’s not normal.

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: PatM on July 14, 2020, 02:34:09 pm

Nope.  Finishes like that require clean surfaces.

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: Black Moshannon on July 14, 2020, 03:55:44 pm

Ok, I thought that might be the case. I’ll just leave it as is then. It’s more traditional anyways, just not too “finished off” looking.

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: Hawkdancer on July 14, 2020, 11:49:09 pm

Give him/her a jar of lard along with the bow?! (lol) (lol) >:D. Not many finishes will stick to grease, and lard is a grease, as is tallow, beeswax, etc!  Au natural is better, anyway!
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: turmoiler on July 15, 2020, 07:29:09 am

So you can't use pu over any oil? For example tung or flaxseed oil?

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: stuckinthemud on July 15, 2020, 08:58:48 am

You can't mix bases, oil based finishes can be mixed, water based finishes can be mixed, oil based finishes cannot be mixed with water based finishes.  PU varnish is oil based so it should go over lard once its cured. It certainly goes over oil paints, tung, linseed, flax oils. Try a tiny patch test and check but it should be ok. Check your varnish is clean with thinners or white spirits (oil base) not water and soap .

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: PatM on July 15, 2020, 09:26:49 am

  Those are all drying oils though.   Lard is not.   Also PU can be either water or oil based.

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: stuckinthemud on July 15, 2020, 10:51:22 am

Does lard never cure then?  Would the driers in the varnish dry the oils in the lard?

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: bownarra on July 16, 2020, 12:14:03 am

Stick a chunk on a garage door and watch what happens over the years :) No it doesn't 'dry'.....and is best used for cooking :) If you want a super easy, very effective finish I suggest getting some parafin wax. Take shavings over , warm bow, melt flakes into wood.

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: Black Moshannon on July 16, 2020, 02:59:55 am

Well it turned out I’m going to have to lower the draw weight so I’ll have a new finish to put on anyways.

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: stuckinthemud on July 16, 2020, 03:03:45 am

Cooking oil works really well, sunflower is best, then vegetable, but olive goes rancid and smells  nasty

Title: Re: Polyurethane finish over lard finish
Post by: Hawkdancer on July 17, 2020, 09:55:02 am

Flaxseed oil and beeswax, about 3:2, or 4:1, makes a good sealer for spoons.  Haven't tried it on bows yet, but it should work.
Hawkdancer