Hello I could use some help. This is some serious business that can be a bit confusing lol. Can you crest carbon arrows with paint and glue on your feathers? I've tried in the past without luck. I don't even remember what paint that I've tried. Looking for the best type of paint if any and a glue for the feathers that are compatible or should I just use a wrap instead? Is there any other alternatives or ideas? I know its been discussed before but some of the info is confusing. Thanks for your input.

I usually use wraps, even though they don't look as nice as paint they are more convenient.

Nothing beats a well done painted arrow though, so sometimes I still like to make them.

For carbon shafts, I do the cap with gloss white spray on enamel over primer, both from the hardware store (can't remember the brands). I tape off the shaft below the cap and spray a coat of primer followed by two or three coats of white, leaving plenty of drying time between coats. Do this outdoors unless you want a thin coat of white dust on everything in the room.

I then crest with Testors enamel model paint and my SpinRite crester. I thin the paint a little with their thinner, and then use at least two and usually three coats on the crest. I've found that several thin coats works better than one thick one. You can get different size brushes for different thicknesses of lines, don't skimp on brush quality.

After the cap and cresting is done, two or three coats of wipe on water based polyurethane really pops the colors and adds some protection. Water based poly drys clear, unlike oil based which drys a warm yellow color.

The only negative about real paint on carbon arrows is getting it off if or when you want to repaint or refletch. I have yet to find a good method for that, it's pretty durable.

I have used krylon spay can and fletch tite platinum with good results. sometimes I use krylon color then let dry then use krylon clear over it to help protect the paint from ware.

Yes, Onestringer has some great wraps and they will get your order out real quick. Very inexpensive considering the cost of carbons. Cost less than the hamburger it takes to feed my granddudes. Can put your name on the pattern you select. I ordered more than I need to cover any mistakes and for future arrows.

You don't have to crown for a good look.

I have had trouble with the cap dip coming off, so if you are just cresting that should be fine. I personally put a clear coat over the paint to add durability. If dipping still, try these: http://www.3riversarchery.com/9-inch-clear-arrow-wraps.html as they offer advantages of a wrap, and custom look of dipping/cresting arrows.

Krylon or Rust-o-leum paint, a top coat of spray-on Minwax and fletch with Loctite super glue gel. Nothing to it.

Sure you can. Krylon makes some spray paint that works great on carbon.

Rustoleum 2X or Krylon Fusion both work great. Fusion is made to paint plastic and dries fast. using Fusion I can cap and crest in same day and clear the nest. sig9

I spray my carbons all the time.

There is a little build-a-long here on spraying carbons.

http://outdoorcore.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=11525

Really like those FITA faces on the arrows jaz.

Great info guys much appreciated. I was thinking the krylon paint and super glue were a problem last time. Maybe the spray on minwax helps that. It was frustrating having put lots of time into them just strip them back down and start over. lol So I appreciate your help.

It really isn't that tough. These were spray painted with Krylon. Crested with Testors, sealed with water based poly, fletched with super glue.

I have dipped them and sprayed them, just have to plug the ends when you dip. After the colored paint I usually do a light coat of poly mixed 70-30 with paint thinner. Duco to fletch as other glues like fletch-tite and such will not adhere well to poly or spray paint. Scooby

Don't forget to prep as well, or better, than you would for fletching!

These are spray on Krylon and Testors with a clear coat of waterbased polycrillic. I use NPV glue for 99% of my fletching jobs.

Those were done for a friend. Personally have gotten lazy, use wraps, crest them with Testors as well, a clear coat over, then Fletch with NPV

the arrow pics are inspiring. look like art work to me.

Great looking arrows!

Since most are using a similar process to myself, how are you dealing with removing the cap and cresting when you eventually want to?

I've tried just about every solvent available along with steel wool and barely scratched the surface.

Testers will work over wraps? Ewwwww the possibilities are endless

I've always called with Krylon and crested with Testors. Fletched with tape. Comes right off with ZipStrip if needed.

Which restores? Enamel or acrylic

Fletching glue for water based poly top coat. What is the best? NPV, duco?

Testors. Easy

No issues for me....wraps or no wraps using good ole testors..... Palongshank

For removal. Coarse steel wool, acetone, elbow grease. I have some Gold Tip blems I have been using and re doing since 2005.

Stain with leather die. Block out area for cresting with blue painters tape. Put in drill to spray white Kilz base. Paint with thinned Testors model paint. Re tape to spray polycrylic only on painted area. Fletch. Don't be afraid to combine colors for one of a kind designs.

I've been building carbon arrows for years with no problems with this combination. I clean the logo off the shafts with acetone and abrasive pads. I spray my caps with Rustoleum and let it dry well for a couple of days. Depending on the color, two light coats sprayed about an hour apart is better.

I do my cresting with Testers enamel paints. Once dry, I seal the cap and cresting with Minwax poly water base. DUCO is my favorite glue but fletching tape will work well too.

Makes a well crafted arrow that will hold up to a lot of use.

Good luck and happy arrow crafting.

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