favorite stains and finishes

[Lee Lobbestael]

What are some of your guys' favorite staining and finishing methods? Might give some of us some new ideas. I would like to try something different. Pictures would help

[Crogacht]

I can't give much experience myself, but I can point you at some bow with amazing finishes

Weylin puts out some bows with amazing finishes, so you can check those out here and find details.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;sa=topics;u=7657

Also, Gordons build along is a constant source of inspiration.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3895.135.html

Here's a list of relevant posts on PA:

https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=primitive+archer+bow+finishes+site:www.primitivearcher.com&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=955

Hope those provide some inspiration since I have little first hand experience to share.

[WillS]

My all time fave finish is simply Danish Oil.  About 5 coats gives a really nice "sheen" without looking like shiny modern poly finishes, plus it provides a nice tough scratch-free finish. 

Otherwise, for traditional finishes for my yew warbows I'll just use pure beeswax applied in about 4 coats, each one heated slightly with a hair dryer or heat gun so it melts into the wood fibres. 

[autologus]

I like trueoil, I have used spray on poly, wipe on poly, spray on shellac and I like them all but I like trueoil best.

Grady

[Pat B]

I don't stain osage. I like it's natural darkening which doesn't take long. I have used leather dye and Rit dye in alcohol for whitewoods.  One I like for hickory and ash and other whitewoods is hand rubber oil finish with finely ground charcoal.
  For finish I have used Tru-Oil for many years. For hunting bows I add a quick spray of satin poly over the high gloss Tru-Oil finish.

[tom sawyer]

I use Formby's tung oil finish.  It comes in both high and low gloss options.  Hardens reliably, a few coats gives a nice protective finish, and the oil base really soaks in and brings out the best in wood grain.

[IdahoMatt]

There's a real good water based staining tints called trans tint.  Very strong stuff.  A little goes a long way.

[George Tsoukalas]

Rit dissolved in denatured alcohol or any water based stain is what I use on white woods. Final finish is 3 coats of spar urethane.

Osage gets 3 coats of Tru Oil folloed by 3 coats of spar urethane. I like the way Tru Oi seals up the pores.

Jawge

[Del the cat]

I don't much like stain.
Many years ago when I was a kid I made a lovely crossbow pistol, the stock was of plywood (yeah I know that's awful  ) which had a nice contour effect, I stained the stock with "Mahogany" stain...
It came out the colour of a Lady of ill Repute's Lipstick  
I had to sand it down and do it over with Dark Oak, ironically where the Mahogany had gone deep into the end grain it sort of gave it a cool highlight effect.
Del
Here's my guide to commercial stain colours available in the UK.
Mahogany= Tart's lipstick
Pine= Yellow
Dark Pine= Brown
Teak= Brown
Oak= Brown
Dark Oak=Black

[Lee Lobbestael]

I don't much like stain.
Many years ago when I was a kid I made a lovely crossbow pistol, the stock was of plywood (yeah I know that's awful  ) which had a nice contour effect, I stained the stock with "Mahogany" stain...
It came out the colour of a Lady of ill Repute's Lipstick  
I had to sand it down and do it over with Dark Oak, ironically where the Mahogany had gone deep into the end grain it sort of gave it a cool highlight effect.
Del
Here's my guide to commercial stain colours available in the UK.
Mahogany= Tart's lipstick
Pine= Yellow
Dark Pine= Brown
Teak= Brown
Oak= Brown
Dark Oak=Black

Haha Thats true about alot of the stains I use too

[PEARL DRUMS]

If I stain I prefer alcohol based dyes, they dry fast and they aren't tacky at all. I like tru oil, tung oil, shellac (as a base coat) Deft, Helmsman and any other poly. Its all good if done as directed.

[Onebowonder]

I've come to like the Fiebing's Leather Dyes.  They really take to and highlight the grain of the wood's natural character very well.  Just a dab will do ya, but the effect is very nice IMHO...  I generally go over the dye job with Tru-Oil or Wipe-On poly.

OneBow

[RBLusthaus]

Mostly finish w tru oil, but I have had issues with it when finishing ipe, so on ipe I use laquer in a spray can (min wax). 

[Lee Lobbestael]

I have used minwax stains and wipe on and spray on poly for several years now and I would like to get a little more creative at least with my staining.

[simson]

I like my homemade mixture of hardening oil for finish (transparent).
I have a collection of several earth pigments which I use as paint (+hideglue)
In the last days I did some experiments with ammonia, I've got really interesting results. Will post soon.