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what type of finish and why?
Sidewinder:
I recently bought a dozen cedar shafts that I intend to finish and seal . My question is what type of store bought finish can one use. What color and why? I would just like to get alot of input and then compare the answers with some of my thoughts before proceeding forward. Also does anyone paint them and if so what do they seal them with and why?
Woodbutcher:
Sidewinder:
OK, I'll try. Color, 2 choices. (1) White primer. Any kind, interior, exterior, water based or alkyd. Use it like a stain, apply it and wipe it off. I use leftover primer and paper towels.
OR (2) Rit fabric dye and rubbing alcohol. Get the color you like (I like yellow and red is nice too) Open the Alcohol and pour about half into a container. Empty the Rit into the half full bottle and shake. Pour some alcohol back into the bottle of dye untill it's full. You'll have some clear alcohol left over. Add a bit of the dye mix into the clear stuff and try it on a piece of wood, till you're happy. By diluting the dye you'll get a clearer color, less "muddy". Paper towel works fine. You'll need rubber gloves!!!
All things considered, polyurethane varnish for a finish is a good choice. Hope this helps.
Woodbutcher
M-P:
I can't believe that about 40 different people have't jumped on this one yet. First question is - what are you planning to use the arrows for/ Second question - How involved do you want to get. Is this a one off project or do think you may be doing a new dozen each week?
If this is to be a set of arrows to show off, but you may not do it again, I would recomend acyrlic paint from your local art store. Let your imagination be your guide but then seal the entire shaft with polycrylic varnish from the hardware store and use Duco cement to glue on the feathers.
For more a more industrial set up consider buying the dip tubes, lacquers, brushes and cresting motors etc. available from a large catalogue such as 3Rivers.
Other suggestions Rit dye from the grocery store, Walnut husks or other natural dyes or even diluted artist acrylic to stain or dye a portion of the shaft.
I make a moderate number of arrows and enjoy using purpose made lacquers as they work consistantly and provide good protection for the arrow, but recently I've been using the acrylic paint and varnish to produce a more old fashioned look with good results. For real old fashioned I've read that bear fat over vegetable dye ( like walnut hulls or berry juice) will work. The whole point is to satisfy your esthetic sense and provide some protection from moisture.
Ron
Sidewinder:
I won't be doing lots of them so you could call it one off. I do want to do my target arrows a little fancier than my hunting arrows and my stump shooting arrows a little different so I'm thinking that out of the dozen I will have 3 for target, 3 for deer, 3 for stump/rabbit. maybe a couple flu-flu's for wing and squirrel and a spare shaft to fill in the blanks on any that get lost. So they may all be a little different. I was thinking about doing the hunters with a blaze orange shaft in case I miss it might be easier to find in the brush. The rabbit/stump shooters will have judo's so I don't think they will be hard to find so they could be more traditional coloring and the targets could be the fancy ones. I guess I just need to understand what kind of sealer works with what kind of paint/stain and go from there. I fixing to go to Lowes and ask the paint guy about compatibilty.
Canerod:
I'm no pro by any means, but I use a dark walnut stain and then dip my shafts in spar varnish. It gives a good finish and is made for flexible wooden masts and spars, so I don't worry about durability. Plus, it's the finish I use on the rods I make, so I always have it on hand.
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