Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: hook on December 27, 2010, 11:07:36 am

Title: Need Ideas for finish on a linen backed board bow
Post by: hook on December 27, 2010, 11:07:36 am

hey guys,
just looking for some ideas and or tips for a linen backed board bow, pyramid design. Ideally  think snake skin would be the answer but not in the after Christmas budget.
photos would be nice ;D. this (might) be my first shooter!!

Title: Re: Need Ideas for finish on a linen backed board bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 27, 2010, 01:52:10 pm

Paint designs on it like the West Coast tribes did. Jawge

Title: Re: Need Ideas for finish on a linen backed board bow
Post by: hook on December 27, 2010, 03:12:23 pm

after glueing, the surface is very rough. can I sand it a little with some fine paper without screwing up the intergrity of the linen?
what kind of paint is best if i go that route?

Title: Re: Need Ideas for finish on a linen backed board bow
Post by: Hrothgar on December 27, 2010, 05:20:46 pm

It won't mess up the integrity or the looks if you buff out the rough places. I usually use Titebond ll to apply linen. It will take acrylic paint nicely, and you can add a clear sealer such as polyrethane over the dried paint. Check out my post from October "Four Winds".

Title: Re: Need Ideas for finish on a linen backed board bow
Post by: Frode on December 27, 2010, 05:50:40 pm

hook,
I've found if I put on a second and third coat of TB III (TB II works too, but those are the only ones I have personal experience with) I get a pretty smooth, translucent finish!  As Hrothgar says, it'll take acrylic fine (see green pic below).  I've also smoothed an acrylic gesso paste onto the rough glued linen surface and smoothed that out by hand, and maybe a little light sanding.  It fills in the texture of the linen/glue nicely and leaves a matte finish for painting (see yellow pic below).  Both work well, in my experience.
Frode