Hi,
ive just bought a used bow and it is has some cosmetic issues. The finish is damaged on parts of the limbs.
How hard is it to refinish it?
In the past ive used simple spraypaint and covered everything up but i am thinking about doing it right this time.
Wich kind of finish should i use? Should i sand the old finish completelly down? Im afraid of damaging the glass and wood while doing so.
Any help apreciated!
Thanks Axel
Sanding off the existing finish will definitely produce the best results for you. Go slow, and keep it even all the way. You will be able to easily see when you get through the finish and reach the glass/wood.
For a DIY finish I would suggest TruOil. If you want a spray can finish I would recommend Deft polyurethane.
Whip should know since he does outstanding refinish work himself.
I second TruOil. It produces a beautiful glossy finish that is very easy to touch-up. It's softer than some, but seals the bow well and is hard to screw up if you follow the directions.
what sanding paper should i start with?
600 or finer?
thanks!
You can be a lot more aggressive than that. I use 100 grit. You could even start courser, but would need to be careful and switch to 100 or finer as soon as start getting through the finish and hit glass.
FYI; when you think its dry, wait a bit longer! I pushed it once and the Tru-Oil was still tacky, frigged it all up and had to start over...LOL! I let everything go at least 12 hours now, or longer. I use 0000 steel wool between coats, to lightly buff.
Tru Oil cant go wrong.The more coats you ut the better it looks.
Is it nessesary to refinish the whole bow? Or can just certain sections be done?
If you are just redoing glass you can get away with doing certain sections. You might be able to redo overlays or tips. One thing you don't want to do is to sand out a section in the middle of the limb. When sanding on the limb glass it is critical to sand evenly all the way down the length of the limb so that you don't create a weak spot in one section.
But for the best looking results, especially if you are working on the riser woods, you will want to do the whole bow.
Woods and finishes change color over time, and if you only sand a small area and apply new finish you will likely be able to see where the new finish meets the old.
If you are going to do a small area Tru Oil is definately the best choice.
Great Information guys, might need in the future. Axel good luck on your re-finish job. Pics when done please. Don
Whip you go to Ski Denton dont you?
Sure do! Talked my wife into coming with me a few years ago as a one time kind of trip. Haven't missed one since!
Here is the bow concerned (Will be getting it on Thursday, these are pics from the seller):
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/IMG_1260_klein.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/IMG_1254_klein.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/IMG_1252_klein.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/IMG_1251_klein.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/IMG_1249_klein.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/IMG_1248_klein.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/IMG_1245_klein.jpg)
and here is where the refinishing needs to be done:
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/IMG_1247_klein.jpg)
Will do the whole limbs as you recommend whip, thanks alot for the advice, much apreciated!
nice bow...
Just a suggestion. If all the bad finish is on the back of the limbs as pictured, your bow would be a good candidate for applying some snake skins. To my mind that would be easier than refinishing and skins should look pretty nice on that bow.
Check out the Trad History /Collecting section on this site, there is a great post called Restoration 101 by Bowdoc that explains everything that you need to know about refinishing a bow.
QuoteOriginally posted by yaderehey:
Just a suggestion. If all the bad finish is on the back of the limbs as pictured, your bow would be a good candidate for applying some snake skins. To my mind that would be easier than refinishing and skins should look pretty nice on that bow.
I agree. Copperhead skins would look nice on that bow.
If I was going to put snake skins on it, I would still want to remove the old finish.
You could use sandpaper (100 grit, then 150, etc) followed up with 0000 steel wool.
You could use the tru-oil...or for a more durable and more durable and weather resistant finish (but more difficult to use as you can only make one pass at a time) you could use the massey epoxy finish.
Don't be afraid to do it. This is an easy project and very satisfying. I have done several using a light touch with 150gr paper, deft satin poly followed by 0000 wool. a final coat and maybe some wax. I do the entire bow and go easy on the limbs. Deft poly is cheap and easy to touch up if needed.
No doubt complete sanding and refinishing will be the best results.
However I have "prettied" up more tha a few with just 0000 steel wool and Tru Oil.
Buff the affected area with the steel wool, clean it up with alcohol, nad apply a few coats of Tru Oil, which can be buffed down and blended in with the steel wool to.
Almost always these will be visible under really good light but under normal light and conditions will look nearly as good as new, and it's a lot easier and quicker.
Nice thing is if you aren't happy with it, you can always go back to the complete sand down.
Great advice, all! Thanks very much!
So, here are pics of the refinished bow.
Im quite happy with the way it turned out.
Ive taken all finish off, rounded the shelf, deepended it a bit; redefined the string groves, and put a new finish on, (spray can type, the one used for boats).
Still gotta tune some arrows but got no shafts in 600 spine here right now. will be trying the mfx classics on Tuesday.
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/DSCF4735.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/DSCF4732.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/DSCF4731.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/DSCF4734.jpg)
(http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww119/g_reiner/DSCF4730.jpg)