Wooden Arrow Finish Discovery

[Stiks]

Just discovered a really nice arrow finish.

I use Sitka Spruce shafts.
I like to stain them with an oak stain.
I then seal them with Danish Oil, just one coat. This helps prevent the grain feathers (I think they're called) from lifting, the only problem with Sitka I've found on several of my shafts.
I lightly sand and wax finish.

I used to rub with a Beeswax Bar but I wanted to use a softer wax I could apply with a soft cloth and get a nice even cover.
I bought some Lord Sheratons Pure Beeswax Balsam but felt it didn't give me the finish I was after. Also to soft as a Balsam.

So I melted it down with a bar of pure beeswax , eureka!
It even goes back in the same tub. :-)

Do it outside though cus it stinks!

Just tried it, goes on nice with a soft cloth and leaves you with a gorgeous finish!
Best I've found so far.

Would be great straight on Cedar and I don't think you would need the Danish Oil to seal it.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

[CRUSADE14]

How easy is the bees wax to apply and i may be being abit daft here but doesnt it lift of and melt when you shoot the arrow?

[Stiks]

Originally Posted by CRUSADE14

How easy is the bees wax to apply and i may be being abit daft here but doesnt it lift of and melt when you shoot the arrow?

Hi Crusade14,

Very easy, if you have a beeswax bar just rub it on like a crayon and polish with a cloth.
Easier if you make up my mix. It's softer, the cover is more even and the finnish is better.

It's like a furniture polish so it aint going to peel off!

The only thing I have found it makes the arrows a little harder to pull out the hard 3D targets, can't have everything I guess :-)

[CRUSADE14]

Cheers, i will give it a go.

[LoboBob]

I first straighten shaft in a dial indicator jig, then dip them 3 times in gasket lacquer, then crest them, allow to dry for 24 hours. I then apply Miniwax poly, weight the shafts and apply Miniwax as needed to match weight. Then fletch with fletch tape and glue on ends of feathers. Sort of a short version of what Larry Yien does.