For those of us do-it-yourselfers who still enjoy making and repairing our own arrows, I recently stumbled on a way to save a few bucks.
Years ago, we used to crest our arrow shafts with fancy paint colors and designs. In order to do that, we had to have what was referred to as an arrow crestor. It was a simple device with a small electric motor. It was engineered to hold and rotate the arrow shaft. You used a small paint brush to apply paint to the area just in front of the arrow fletching. Cresting was more customizing and individualizing the arrow's appearance.
The main issue with this tedious task was sometimes the paint would build up and dry unevenly, making the arrow unbalanced. Shortly afterwards, arrow cresting went by the wayside. Other than beautifying the arrow, the arrow wraps really do nothing affecting arrow performance.
Today, arrow cresting is making a comeback. It is much easier to do, and you no longer need the arrow crestor. Modern-day cresting has been made simple with the use of adhesive vinyl sheets that are pre-cut in different size lengths and widths and can be applied to arrow shafts simply by removing the strip of paper from the adhesive-backed vinyl.
Line it up properly and apply pressure to the arrow shaft. Then, slowly, carefully roll forward as the vinyl wrap sticks to the arrow shaft. With just a little practice, anyone can accomplish the task of applying arrow wraps to the arrows regardless of whether they are made of wood, fiberglass, aluminum, or carbon.
You can purchase these attractive arrow wraps at sporting goods departments, archery shops, Amazon and eBay. Depending on length and width size, you can expect to pay anywhere from $8 to over $20 per dozen. They are available in many colors, with standard colors being somewhat glossy, to fluorescents. Some are reflective, and you can get as fancy as you want. I have purchased several arrow wraps from eBay and have had tremendous success with them.
If you know me very well, I have always been a hands-on guy. I like to make attempts at doing things myself. Years ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to make my own bowstrings. I did that. I also decided I wanted to learn how to build my own arrows. I did that. I also decided I wanted to learn how to tune and work on my own bows. I did that!
Naturally, after I started building arrows and doing arrow repair, which included adding the vinyl arrow wraps, I got a bright idea. Instead of buying arrow wraps, why don't I attempt to make my own?
I looked on the back of some of the arrow wraps I purchased, and I saw the word "Oracle 651," which was the vinyl material many of the arrow wraps I had purchased were made of. I also researched and found other vinyl materials being used.
After visiting YouTube, I saw several videos showing how to make your own arrow wraps, and most of them stated as long as you used a permanent vinyl, it would work for arrow wraps.
I was more than enthused. I ordered some vinyl rolls: fluorescent orange and green, and reflective white. I like the wraps and plastic vanes I use to be bright and visually easy to see. The reflective white shows up after dark with the use of a flashlight.
If you decide to make your own arrow wraps, one item you will need is a paper cutter trimmer. These are pretty reasonable and will last a lifetime. I purchased a Fiskar Trimmer Massicot that is user-friendly. It can cut 12-inch sheets and costs about $20.
The vinyl roll is 72 inches long. I laid the roll flat and cut the vinyl into 12-inch square sheets. Trust me, you will get several rolls of vinyl. The wraps I personally use are 5 inches long and 1.25 inches wide to wrap completely around the arrow shaft.
Depending on the size, you can expect to get plenty of arrow wraps out of a 12-inch square sheet of vinyl, and you will have plenty of sheets left over for future wraps. I paid less than $5 for the roll of vinyl. Depending on your desired colors and designs, you can make several arrow wraps. The main thing to remember is you need to purchase a permanent vinyl, not an iron-on vinyl.
Once you have cut your arrow wraps to your desired size, applying them is relatively simple. I recommend using a computer mouse pad and placing your arrow wrap upside down with the adhesive back facing upwards on the mouse pad.
Carefully align the end of your arrow shaft evenly with the side of the arrow wrap and slowly align the bottom of the arrow wrap with the arrow shaft. Apply finger pressure downward and slowly, careully roll the arrow shaft forward. When you see the arrow wrap start to stick to the arrow shaft, take your finger and rub it across the wrap to ensure it is properly contacting the shaft.
Continue to apply downward pressure and slowly roll the arrow all the way forward until the wrap is applied. I like to take my fingers and rotate the arrow shaft and apply finger pressure to the surface of the arrow wrap. That is all there is to it. The more you do it, the easier it gets. You will have your own custom, personalized arrows to be proud of!
If you have any issues applying your arrow wraps, there are several videos on YouTube that will show you precisely how to do it, and I have a segment on my "Outdoors with Bud" podcast about arrow fletching and applying arrow wraps.