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Author Topic: Question about sealing an ipe bow.  (Read 12043 times)

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Offline Jesse

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Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« on: August 04, 2007, 07:45:25 pm »
I hope someone out there can help me. I realized I just cant use tru oil. Regardless of all the tips Ive got from you guys. I just cant get it to look right no matter what I do and after shooting it for a while the finish started popping off. So I sanded off the bad spots and tried using a spray. The second that deft brand laquer hit the bow it all raised up and it looks real bad. I am going to strip it all down for the third time with acetone. I dont want to do it a fourth. Any thoughts? maybe 600 grit paper is to fine for the stuff to hold to the wood? Should I use 220 before I seal it next time?
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Offline waterlogged

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2007, 09:21:07 pm »
I've done spray on polyurethane (*gasp*) a few times before on IPE, one was sanded with 0000 steel wool, so I think you'd be fine with that. Hope it goes better this time.


PS - the polyurethane was minwax brand
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Offline ricktrojanowski

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2007, 10:23:28 pm »
I have never built an ipe bow, but I do work with it quite a bit as decking.  In the instructions for decking they claim it dosn't need a finish but this is probably a bad idea for a bow.  I have had luck with Cabots Austrailian timber oil for customers that insisted on some protection.  It is an oil for different exotic wood species.  I don't know if it will build up like tru oil but should help preserve.  I hope I helped and didn't further confuse the situation. Good Luck
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Offline Coo-wah-chobee

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2007, 10:31:13 pm »
                 Bone it with hawg fat er ifn ya aint got that use crisco. Bone hard and I mean HARD, at least 30 times say 3x a day fer 10 days. Will give ya a nice finish and will help waterproof ya bow, ipe is an oily wood so like said it dont really need a finish. As it ages and weather an sun get ta it, it will develop a nice silvery patina.........bob
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Offline NOMADIC PIRATE

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2007, 10:43:08 pm »
I used a 50/50 mixture of Shellac and linseed oil,...wipe it on, wipe it off, ...I like it ;D
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NORTH SHORE, HAWAII

Offline Jesse

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2007, 01:07:29 am »
Thanks guys.  Hey northshore-- what kind of finish does that give?  What brands of shellac and linseed do you use?
Kowechobe-- how do you bone a bow? Im not sure Im comfortable boning something with hawg fat lol.
 Thanks again
                                                   Jesse
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Offline Badger

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2007, 02:13:21 am »
I use bees wax on ipe, shoe polish would likley work pretty good as well, moisture is no big deal with ipe, it doesnt seem to absorb much. steve
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Offline Justin Snyder

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2007, 04:20:56 pm »
I could be mistaken, but I think degreasing it before you sealed it would have solved all you problems.  Most paints and sealers do not like oily wood, even if they are oil based products.  I degrease everything before I seal it,  just out of caution. Justin
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Offline NOMADIC PIRATE

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2007, 08:00:08 pm »
A satin finish,...brands?.I'll check ;)
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Offline mullet

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2007, 08:15:42 pm »
One problem is you can't spray lacquer over Truoil.It will scale up and look like crap.Found out from experience.
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Offline Jbell

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2007, 10:43:49 pm »
I think Justin is right, degreasing is the ticket. Also in my opnion I wouldn't use lacquer on any thing that bends,its too brittle. Been their done that!
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Justin Blunt

Offline Jesse

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2007, 11:35:33 pm »
I will make sure I use plenty of acetone before I  seal it this time. Yeh laquer over tru oil is bad news. Now I know.  The Deft laquer I was using was actually recommended to me by a company that makes bows so I gotta think it works to some degree But using it over tru oil was my idea. Definately a mistake.
                                                                   Jesse
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Offline ber643

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2007, 08:34:56 am »
Interesting/informative thread. Thanks, guys  :).
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Offline d frana

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2007, 09:06:25 pm »
i'V USED A 50-50 MIXTURE OF POLYURATHANE AND MINERAL SPIRITS WIPED ON IPE. ABOUT 3 OR 4 COATS.TURNS OUT GREAT.
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Rich Saffold

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Re: Question about sealing an ipe bow.
« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2007, 12:55:17 am »
I also like to burnish burnish the bow, and use the melted wax, or mineral oil when I when I want it to have a flat finish. If I want the bow to shine I like using waterbased glossy polyurethane (Varathane ) applied with a sponge brush in thin coats, with a light sanding with 600gr. between coats. I like using the poly over mineral oil, as it makes everything a touch darker.

Rich-



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