Finishing wooden arrows....

darthTer · #1 (**permalink**) 25-10-07, 01:27 PM

Whats the best thing to use to finish wooden arrows??

If using varnish - any particular type??
What about on oil type finish - would Teak oil work???

Thanks

joelondon · #2 (**permalink**) 25-10-07, 02:13 PM

I personally use either Yacht Varnish (I prefer non gloss) or Danish Oil.

between coats, wire woll them and that brings them up nice n smooth, also use a lint free cloth or even a sponge to apply the coats, avoid a brush.

all my own techniques, maybe not the best???

Joe

darthTer · #3 (**permalink**) 25-10-07, 02:29 PM

Cheers Joe.....

Appologies for all the questions....just want everything to look as nice as pos.

jaselpool · #4 (**permalink**) 25-10-07, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darthter

Cheers Joe.....

Appologies for all the questions....just want everything to look as nice as pos.

Hi - depends on the finish you want.

Danish Oil - great for the wood bad for protection against knocks

Yacht Varnish/Floor Varnish (Ronseal the best) - Great for protection but can feel plasticky if put on to thick. Several thin coats wire wool finished (0000 guage) in between coats. Gloss looks nice on shafts with a visible grain, Matt looks more trad.

Bohning clear laquer - fantastic finish, you can dip them, dries quickly but stinks the place out with vapours so best done with PLENTY of ventilation. If cresting do this last as laquer will react with acrylic paints.

Beeswax mix - fantastic for the wood, lets smell of POC through, you can 'freshen' them up every now and again. Again crap for knock protection but great for trad finish.

Poly based floor varnish - always feel far too plasticky and takes forever to dry also problems with reacting against cresting paints. Great for protection though as when they do dry they can take some serious knocks.

I've pretty much tried and tested most finishes out there in the last few years and my personal prefs for people I make arrows for are Beeswax mix for trad medieval styles and matt/gloss floor varnish in several thin coats. I sometimes use a danish oil base to liven up the grain and then let that dry before varnishing.

Jason

FlightyRachel · #5 (**permalink**) 25-10-07, 08:19 PM

This has been answered pretty comprehensively already, but,,, danish oil looks really good!

darthTer · #6 (**permalink**) 25-10-07, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlightyRachel

danish oil looks really good!

Decided to opt for the Danish Oil....I'll see if I can get some arrow done over the next couple of days!!!

Jumile · #7 (**permalink**) 26-10-07, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darthter

just want everything to look as nice as pos.

Been there and done that with my first Hunting Tackle field shoot. I made (Port Orford Cedar coated in Danish Oil) and brought 12 arrows with me in the morning, and left the field with 3 complete arrows late that afternoon - the rest were kindling or lost.

But it's so much fun!