OK, I've got all my arrows crested and ready to coat with lacquer so I can fletch 'em up...
My question is: Do I really need to order this "gasket lacquer," along with a pro-dip tube and special gasket ... or would a regular paint-store lacquer work?
I guess I'm trying to be cheap, since I've got a painter buddy who's probably got all kinds of clear lacquer on his shelf... but, I don't want to screw up any of my cresting jobs either.
RE: Use regular lacquer, or do I need gasket lacquer?
I was at a hobby store yesterday, and they thought the gasket lacquer sold in automotive stores would work.
I question that, though, because I saw on stickbow.com where gasket lacquer got its name because it was pulled through a rubber gasket at the top of the dip tube -- not because it was really "gasket lacquer."
RE: Use regular lacquer, or do I need gasket lacquer?
it all boils down to how much money you want to spend. i currently use a dip tube with rubber gasket and the GL form Sticks and feathers arrowsmithing. You do not have to use this though, you can get some polyurethane and apply it with a rag, which I have done in the past and it does work. as far as using the lacquer form automotive stores, I would not try it you could spend a lot of money on something you can not use. Save your money, buy the tube and GL, the reasons being, simplicity, drying time, ease of use, long storage life, it only takes a little acetone to bring it back to life if it gets dry. I know some people who have had the sticks and feathers stuff in a dip tube for over two years and it is still good.
RE: Use regular lacquer, or do I need gasket lacquer?
First off what type of paint did you use to crest with? did you use the Testors or Bohning or something else?
At the stage you are at with your arrows I would suggest that you dont apply any lacquer to your cresting, unless you want to watch it all smear. You should apply atleast 2 coats of a Waterbase Polyacrylic before you attempt to dip in the lacquer.
When I make arrows for RRA I crown dip the raw shaft then I dip those 2-3 times in Gasket Lacquer, then I crest with Testors model paints, then 2-3 coats of Gloss polyacrylic over the cresting, then 1 more coat of Gasket lacquer over the entire arrow.
I dont suggest spraying the poly, it just doesnt give you very good coverage plus it can leave the finish uneven. I always dip mine jus to the last crest line. You can make a dip tube for poly real cheap out of PVC tube and a end cap, but dont ever put Lacquer in the PVC, buy the Pro dipper for that stuff, and make sure you get the full length one.
The nice thing about using a waterbase polyacrylic is it is non flammable and non toxic and no smell, and the gloss looks great.
RE: Use regular lacquer, or do I need gasket lacquer?
Okay Diana, where's the best place to obtain this waterbase polyacrylic you talked about applying before dipping in lacquer? Can I get it at a local paint store?
It looks like I'm going to be ordering one of these pro dip tubes and a quart or so of gasket lacquer anyway, so if I have to order it along with that, I don't guess it would hurt too bad...
After I masked off the arrows, I sprayed my caps with an acrylic, I believe (I'm not home to check the can). I then crested with Testor's model paints, and that's where I'm at right now. They look good, but I know from previous threads that if I try to crest now, the glue will eat into the cresting paint.
RE: Use regular lacquer, or do I need gasket lacquer?
You can buy Minwax polyacrylic just about anywhere that sells paints, I buy it at walmart it comes in a Blue can, and I prefer the gloss because sometimes I dont bother to dip my personal arrows back in the lacquer for the final coat.
From the point where you at right now, I would just go get myself some PVC sprinkler pipe and get a Quart of the polyacrylic and dip the crown and crested part..or you can dip the whole shaft if you like but the polyacrylic can get target burn,but the overall finish looks great and feels just like Lacquer.
RE: Use regular lacquer, or do I need gasket lacquer?
Dianna: One more question, just to ease my mind for clarification.
If I follow your last suggestion (which looks easiest and cheapest at this point) and dip in the Minwax polyacrylic (say, two or three coats, I guess?), can I then fletch with Duco?
And ... didn't you say this Duco stuff was readily available at Wal-Mart?
RE: Use regular lacquer, or do I need gasket lacquer?
Hey Dianna, thanks... I really appreciate it.
Do you dip the nock into the polyacrylic as well, or remove it? I would wonder if you removed it how easy it would be to get back in with that extra layer of thickness now inside the shaft...
Also, these will be my hunting arrows, and I'm primarily putting the polyacrylic as a protection layer from my Testor's paints so I can fletch the arrows.... I don't want a high-gloss finish. Can I lightly sand them with steel wool to dull them a bit, without affecting the integrity of the polyacrylic?
Use regular lacquer, or do I need gasket lacquer?
