Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BigWapiti on January 13, 2008, 05:37:02 pm
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Got a stain on my bow - was real happy with it. Ok, still am.. kinda. Let it dry overnight - the put a light touch of tru-oil on it and let it sit a good 24 hours. All good. Was going to put another coat on it, and read on a wood working site that I should lightly sand between coats....... :(
The lumps in the wood, you know, those small character lumps in VM.... though I used 600g wet paper and barely touched it stroking 3 quick swipes.... you got it. I have new wood showing through. Still adds character and this is my learning bow... I'm not too detrimented... :)
So, the word on the site was that if you don't sand it, the finish may lift. I was thinking that since this isn't a table, but a bow, that bends and gets weather treatment - maybe I should heed the advice...
When you apply coat after coat of tru-oil, do you sand between? do you apply the next coat while its still a little tacky? in short, what do you do to ensure the coats adhere to its parent coating of oil?
Thanks!
Mike
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Mike, I rub the cured Tru-Oil with 0000 steel wool between each coat. With the vine maple being bumpy, you may want to use the steel wool(or fine sand paper) between the humps. I don't think not using the steel wool or sand paper will effect the adhering of the Tru-Oil but it aids in the leveling of the surface. Pat
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Mike, I do a light sanding about every 3 coats. But you have to be very careful around raised areas and edges - hit these areas very lightly if at all. You should let Tru-Oil dry between coats otherwise it will build up and take forever to dry - particularly here in the NW during Winter. This time of year I generally apply 2 coats a day. One in the morning and another in the evening. In the summer (or if you have a hotbox), you can double that.
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Thanks guys, I'll give it a try.
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That's about what I was going to say :). I wouldn't think that not sanding would make anything lift, but instead seems to kinda polish the surface in prep for the next coat - that's my experince anyway. Let each coat harden enough that you can steel wool it, then apply the next coat - it gets slicker each time you do. PatB has been a big player in my bow building upbringing on this site - so anything he says in pure gospel ;D.
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Couldn't agree more Cowboy - both these guys have put out some great bows and solid advice so I tend to listen and try to emulate.
That Tru-Oil makes for a gorgeous and fantastic finish - what a difference it made to the look!
-m
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What do yall use to degrease your steel wool? I always used alcohol, anything better?
wvflintknapper
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I haven't degreased my steel wool yet but prolly should.
Sorry Gordon - you've been a mentor too. We were typing at the same time :).
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What do yall use to degrease your steel wool? I always used alcohol, anything better?
wvflintknapper
this is a new one to me ::) I just use it the way it comes out of the bag.
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I apply tru-oil under a flourescent light, with my hands and take great care to keep the finish smooth--no smears or bubbles--the flourescent light will show this. I apply 2--3 coats while prior coat is still tacky and do not apply wet over dry unless rubbing finish with 0000 steel wool. Once finish coat is dry use the inside of a brown paper bag to polish the finish----it will shine like a jewel.
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Now that's interesting Glenn! More info to sock back for future use :).
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Hey guys, Don't pay too much attention to the man behind the curtain! ;) Pat
ps. I have never de-greased my steel wool...and never will! ;D
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I do what Pat said on both responses.Never had any trouble with it lifting [YET] :)
Pappy
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Glenn R., your brown paper bag idea works great!! This things starting to look like a piece of furnature rather than a hunting weapon. I guess it'll look good on my wall.... seems just plain wrong to build a bow and hang it on the wall. :)
Thanks for all your responses - its coming along nicely.
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I had always heard even from high school shop class, to degrease steel wool due to the cutting oil used to make it, just wondered if anyone else did it.
wvflintknapper