Bow restoration

[Red Beard]

Just bought a longbow that the previous owner sprayed with a matte clear coat. I'm wanting to restore it back to the original finish. Found a video where a guy used acetone to take spray paint off an old bow and I'm wondering if it would work in this application as well. He put a bit of acetone on a rag and rubbed the riser/limbs until the old camo paint came off.

Are there any other methods that would take clear coat off without damaging the original finish?

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Curiosity piqued.
I’ve heard denatured alcohol might be plausible. Haven’t tried it myself but that was suggested to me for a similar project that I just ended up sanding and re-finishing. But that sounds counter productive for a bow restoration.

 

[Red Beard]

Right on. Yeah I'm trying to stay away from sanding this thing. Did a remodel of a Sage a while ago and LOVED how it turned out but that was a 3 piece so I was able to separate the limbs from the riser. Don't want to sand this one because it's a one piece and I don't want to mar the limb faces.

 

[ketch22]

I guess it depends on what your type of finish they used on it. Was it poly, lacquer, or something else.

 

[Red Beard]

Yeah good call. I'm not sure what it was

 

[ketch22]

I’d say use a couple of solvents sparingly, start with the least aggressive and slowly work up until you find one that works

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Call up Three Rivers Archery. They specialize in trad bows. They have been helpful to me in the past.

 

[BTaylor]

What bow?

 

[krub6b]

Just bought a longbow that the previous owner sprayed with a matte clear coat. I'm wanting to restore it back to the original finish. Found a video where a guy used acetone to take spray paint off an old bow and I'm wondering if it would work in this application as well. He put a bit of acetone on a rag and rubbed the riser/limbs until the old camo paint came off.

Are there any other methods that would take clear coat off without damaging the original finish?

is the original finish worth keeping? why did he spray it? I would guess you're going to wind up at bare wood by the time all is said and done

 

[BTaylor]

is the original finish worth keeping? why did he spray it? I would guess you're going to wind up at bare wood by the time all is said and done

That would be my guess as well and why I asked what bow. If the bow maker is still around, they would be the best source for guidance in most cases.

 

[krub6b]

Also....pictures, we want pictures of your latest project

 

[Razorbak66]

And you didn’t ask me why…… lol

 

[Red Beard]

And you didn’t ask me why…… lol

You solve all my other stickbow related problems. I wanted to give everyone else a turn to shine!

 

[Red Beard]

What bow?

It is a Galaxy Black Ridge hybrid longbow

 

[Wirrex]

I’m getting some limbs in the mail that I will be doing the same with. Keep us posted on what you do.

 

[Red Beard]

is the original finish worth keeping? why did he spray it? I would guess you're going to wind up at bare wood by the time all is said and done

He hunted with it and said he sprayed it matte to dumb down the shine.

 

[Red Beard]

Also....pictures, we want pictures of your latest project

As you wish! I'll post them soon. As with all my projects, I don't actually have said item in my possession yet but I'm already modifying it

 

[Red Beard]

So I'm slow on the uptake but I finally put 2 and 2 together... @Sticknstring88

 

[Sticknstring88]

For anybody wondering about the history of the bow Red Beard is referencing:

I wanted it to be heavier so sawed off an inch off both ends and cut in new string grooves sprayed some poly on it and killed three deer last year with it. I’m a little nuts. I once had an ILF limb delaminate at the butt end, so I super glued it back together and killed a few deer with it before it finally split open again. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Red Beard]

For anybody wondering about the history of the bow Red Beard is referencing:

I wanted it to be heavier so sawed off an inch off both ends and cut in new string grooves sprayed some poly on it and killed three deer last year with it. I’m a little nuts. I once had an ILF limb delaminate at the butt end, so I super glued it back together and killed a few deer with it before it finally split open again. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That seals it! I'm going whack a pile of deers with this thing next season!