Main Discussion Area > Bows
Trying boiled linseed oil finish
JW_Halverson:
--- Quote from: Marc St Louis on May 31, 2022, 09:16:44 am ---Linseed oil is not a very effective moisture barrier. If you were to apply some wax over top of that it would seal the bow better
I have a finish I rarely use, mostly because it takes a long time to dry. It's oil and pine resin, I don't know what type of oil it is. It does produce a nice looking finish though.
--- End quote ---
In this dry climate, I am not too worried about a moisture barrier.
I cut my BLO to two parts oil and one part turpentine. The first I rubbed on with a lint-free cotton cloth just seemed to soak in and disappear. 8 hours later I did another coat and it disappeared, though not quite as quickly. I put the third coat in after 24 hours and it needed a bit more rubbing, but dried quickly, too. I'll do that once a day routine for a while and try leaving it in the sun and wind whenever possible.
Thanks everyone!
Dances with squirrels:
I like to rub boiled linseed oil into a Yew bow, it adds richness of color and slightly darkens it, but then I spray it with a catalyzed finish after the blo is dry.
Fyi, boiled linseed oil is a decent moisture barrier for steel too. I use it on anvils and raw steel things I forge to keep them from rusting.
hoosierf:
--- Quote from: Marc St Louis on May 31, 2022, 09:16:44 am ---Linseed oil is not a very effective moisture barrier. If you were to apply some wax over top of that it would seal the bow better
--- End quote ---
Completely agree, BLO until the wood barely takes any. For me several coats for several days. Then Johnson’s paste wax two or three coats. Hand rub with a soft towel to generate some heat and final polish with a piece of paper bag. Been doing gunstocks that way for 30 years. Very durable and impervious to water.
bassman211:
I am French polishing bows lately with just shellac. Thin coat , and bone it in till it is hot. I use rubber gloves to apply ,and bone. Next coat do the same. You can finish a bow in a little over an hour. Then I cover with wax. Makes a shiny beautiful finish. I also use a concoction of turpentine, bee's wax, and linseed oil. Heat the limbs first. Then wipe on wax, and keep adding the wax till the wood stops sucking it in. Works ,but not a pretty finish. I also use min poly finish, and I have also used Birch Wood Casey. Shellac ,and linseed oil does make a beautiful French Polish finish also. I use it also when I am not in a hurry to finish a bow.
organic_archer:
I haven’t had good luck with BLO. Stays wet for a very long time. Tung oil (with mineral hardener) and Danish oil give a better finish in my opinion. 6 coats or so of either builds deep lustrous finish. A 50/50 fat and beeswax combo over the top dulls the shine and makes it ultra-waterproof.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[*] Previous page
Go to full version