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Korean Traditional Archery → Arrows → Painting arrows?
Hi, I just got my first bow and set of arrows today. Each round of shooting ended with confusion as me and a fellow member at our range sorted through our almost identical arrows. I want to paint a spiral or series of rings about 4"-6" long on the shafts on mine just forward of the vanes, I am wondering if anyone does this and could recommend a type of paint that might best adhere to Korean carbonic arrow shafts.
It is called cresting. Here in Korea, archers will either crest their arrows, or--in the case of plastic vanes--put their initials or mark on them.
Any specific type of paint you would recommend? I was thinking I could just write my name on the vanes as you said but like the idea of adding a little decoration instead.
Any specific type of paint you would recommend? I was thinking I could just write my name on the vanes as you said but like the idea of adding a little decoration instead.
When I crested my arrows many years ago (haven't done it in some time), I used a paint marker; they were actually marker bodies filled with paint--very handy. I imagine an acrylic based paint would work well...
So been playing with a bunch of patterns, have mocked up quite a few with paper and a marker. These four are the lead contenders, far right and middle left are the front runners. I have a single arrow I am going to test paint, did a coat of white lacquer on it the other day and I have some red all ready to go when I decide.
All the patterns I have tried.
Man that looks really good. Did you make a jig for cresting them?
Man that looks really good. Did you make a jig for cresting them?
No, I wish I had stuff to make one as it's going to be tough to finish them the way I want to without a jig. Will see if they look as good as these when I actually paint them, which is partially why I am going to use the simpler pattern easier masking in and less red to screw up haha. I'm going to just mask it with tape and then hit it with some red lacquer and then attempt to put thin bands of gold or silver paint over the masking tape lines. Now that I have the pattern decided on I should be able to get one test arrow done tomorrow.
No, I wish I had stuff to make one as it's going to be tough to finish them the way I want to without a jig.
I was in that same boat till recently, so a few things I tried or looked:
Depending how handy you are there are some nice plans out there for making your own from a sowing machine motor or a hand mixer https://smile.amazon.com/LvDD-Mixer-Bea … hand+mixer.
If you have legos http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/inde … ic=25983.0 The pictures didn't show up for me but that could be a work internet thing. or a different style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpEEHNPisPE
I have also done it by hand. Set up a block with a little divot in it then just rotated the arrow by hand and painted. Bit of a pain but it worked.
The masking and spray paint also works well. One friend of mine has great results with permanent markers for the thin lines, just watch out if you put a protective finish over it as it may run.
One other thing. To paint the main color and clear finish I have wiped it on with a paper towel or rag for great results. Much easier and cleaner then using a dip tube and cheaper then spray paint if I already had the color.
+1
Thanks for that; I'll try the lego route first (pics showed up for me) and see how it goes.
Damn that Lego set up is brilliant! Haha I used to have mind storms and all the electronic stuff I could have totally rigged up something if. I had it all still. As is the red bands are painted on my test arrow and they went on perfect aside from a spot I accidentally touched when I was taking off the masking tape, lesson learned fold tabs o. The end so it can be done with tweezers. I was planning to rig up a stand to turn my arrows in out of a cut up card board box. Just hope my detail brushes will hold enough paint to do a full solid ring in one go to keep it clean, but the gold I am planning to use needs to be a bit on the thick side to get a good sheen, so we will see, if all goes well when I apply then I will clear coat it and let it all cure and take it to the range and see how it holds up next week.
And one down! Freshly painted on my home made cardboard cresting rig. Didn't come out to bad! Going to let it cure 24 then clear coat it, Hopefully the gold holds up to the clear coat, my gold enamel looks significantly better them my acrylic so I decided it was worth the risk. Gold bands are a little bigger them I had envisioned but it's close enough! Will be curious to see if the paint stays on when I fire it for the first time. Lol
+2
Looking good, well done. Now when you lose those arrows in the bushes it will hurt extra bad.
Looking good, well done. Now when you lose those arrows in the bushes it will hurt extra bad.
Boy isn't that the truth.
We had a cresting jig in my old club that had absolutely no motor; it was made with rollers, which one just rolled with their fingers. It worked great. I'll add some photos I took a dozen years ago...
Huh, interesting. Those look like casters that are used on file cabinets. Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks like a nice, sturdy jig.
Ugh heart breaking, I never even got to shoot it, I was stupid and didnt test the compatibility of my clear coat, upon touching the gold bands they immediately started dissolving into a mess, hopefully I can figure out a way to strip the paint and start again, as is the arrow looks destined for the trash. 
Korean Traditional Archery → Arrows → Painting arrows?
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