I have a about a dozen of carbon Beman Center Shot arrows. The fletches are worn out and few are missing. Is there any other way to remove the old crusty glue from the arrow shaft besides scraping at it with a knife or razor blade?
I've had good luck getting as much as I can scraped off,and then using acetone.
Zip Strip works well, then chemical for what is left. Next time use wraps.
That is plan this time is to use wraps. I found out on my arrow that I wrapped myself that the wraps make it way easier to remove old fletching. The arrow I am trying to clean up are ones that I bought pre fletched and they didn't have wraps on them.
Any idea what was used to fletch them. These days a lot of store bought arrows are fletched with super glue.
I use a dull pocket knife to start with. I get the worst off this way. Then rub down with 0000 steel wool dipped in acetone. I also have used 200 grit wet/dry sandpaper and acetone. I get a little leary using Laq. Thinner or MEK, do not want to know if it affects the carbon
A Zip Strip (http://www.yeoldearcheryshoppe.com/norway-strip-feather-stripper-p-2510.html) is the epitome of feather removal devices. As you can see, it ain't cheap. Nor will it work very well until you get the hang of it. Hint: use it flat side down. But when you do, you will whisk the feathers and glue off a shaft like an expert barber used to do (are there any more of them still alive?) with whiskers with his straight razor.
Another vote for the Zip Strip......the only thing I use to remove feathers. I've tried other but IMO this works best for me. Great at getting the "pesky glue leavings" off of the shafts too.
Scrape gently. With a dull knife get the big stuff off . Then a little steel wool. Followed up buy some 99% alcohol .
Then use wraps.
I hate the super glue for fletching. Fletch-Tite is a lot easier to remove. Have you looked at the Bohning fletching tape? Nice to use but you just need to make sure that you have full contact with the shaft. Run your finger nail down the quill while gently pressing it down against the shaft.
Just be care scraping is the best way.I'll scrape as close as I can get and Then I'll lightly sand the old glue down on woodgrain carbons.One reason I always use an arrow wrap on any carbon I fletch.Smooth black shafts are alitte easier to scrape but the woodgrain ones can easily get gouged if not careful.I love Onestringer Trad wraps,gives me the look of a traditional dipped and crested arrow.