Waterproofing selfbows

[George Tsoukalas]

Spar urethane is by far the best water proofing finish I have ever used. It's an exterior finish. After all I use it on my snowshoes. If I'm caught in the rain the grain on the belly is not raised at all. Not the same with Tru Oil. Rain raises the grain. I'm torn though because I love the way Tru Oil fills up the little lines of early wood. It's a great sealer. Now here's the question. Has anyone ever used Tru Oil to seal the grain and then given it a coat of spar urethane as a finish coat? If not with Tru Oil then how about with linseed oil? Jawge

[Pappy]

Yes Jawge I do it all the time,I put 7/8 coats of tru oil on the light steel wool then spray with satin Polly. Haden't had any problem in the last 2 or 3 years I have been doing it.
     Pappy

[TRACY]

I would agree with you on spar. I started using it one year on a tru oil finish hickory bow w/o a strike plate. Needed to h20proof this high wear area. Both give a nice finish and are easy to find. Since then, I buy it by the gallon and use it for sealing ends and backs on fresh wood.

[George Tsoukalas]

Excellent. Thanks, Tracy and Pappy. Jawge

[Pat B]

George, I too use spray satin poly over Tru-Oil but to dull the shine, not seal it.

[DCM]

You can also top coat w/ just plain old parafine, or Johnson's wax.  Seems bead water really well w/ the wax on top.

I have had similar results w/ Tru-oil, polycrylic, etc.  Spar is kinda dark.  Epoxy is a pita to deal with and apply.  I've been just using wipe on poly, 6 to 8 coats to fill pores, w/ a thick top coat of (hard parafine) wax worked in w/ a little mineral spirits.  You can get a gloss shine w/ some buffing, or leave it flat.  The wipe on poly can be used in a manner very similar to tru-oil, working it in to nearly dry.  Helps w/ the tie ebetween repeat coats too.  Kinda of an evolution for me from using as much product as I could get to stick w/ out runs to a really thin, faster drying coat but more of them.  The secret to better results, filling deep pores in grain on the belly, for me seemed to be in the sanding and prep between coats, and lots of them.

[Ryano]

I use 5-6 coats minwax spray polyurethane sanded in between coats, with a coat of paste wax over it.  Hasn't failed me yet. I re coat with wax from time to time just to be certain though.

[330bull]

I have done exactl;y what both Pappy and Pat B have done and love the results. 

[George Tsoukalas]

Thanks, Joe, DCM and Ryano. Jawge