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refinishing wood arrows

Started by Mike Faith, July 11, 2016, 05:28:00 PM

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Mike Faith

need help from those experienced in wood arrow making. I would like to refinish some douglas fir arrows, what process is best to remove sealant and  cresting, shafts are in good shape but finish is a bit rough. Any help is much appreciated.
focusing on the problem is not a solution-anonymous

MEsquivel

I'll start off by saying that I have never done this.
But I have a friend that swears that he puts his in a 3/4" pvc pipe with caps and acetone inside and just shakes it off.

Orion

Never tried the acetone treatment. I have used Zip strip, applied with a brush.  When the finish softens, I wipe it off with steel wool.  Usually more than one application is necessary, and it's quite messy.
I don't do it very often.

M60gunner

A messy undertaking for sure. I tried "Aircraft Stripper" from auto paint store. It works, no question. One small issue, the red paint got into the wood and left a faint like stain effect. Had to use red agian as a cap paint.
Not sure of it would work but I used a soy stripper to strip Fletch Laq paint off of alum shafts. It took a few more minutes and a couple apps in spots but it was more user friendly

Yewbender

Never refinished old woodies as mine don't make it to old age. It will be a messy P.I.T.A. What i would do is just use them as practice arrows and buy shafts and build a new set.

Mike Faith

Thank y'all, I think I will go with Yewbender and just make a fresh set for deer season and continue stumping with the rough ones...
focusing on the problem is not a solution-anonymous

WESTBROOK

Yup...not worth the effort IMO...I'll refletch and wipe on a fresh coat of poly if they last that long, but no make-overs.

wooddamon1

Did it once with an old set from the 60's, they came out nice, but never again.

Wise choice to build new.
"The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind..."-Fred Bear

Jock Whisky

I've done it by soaking the shafts in a tube filled with lacquer thinner. Didn't take very long at all. After about ten minutes I just wiped the old finish off. Do it in a well ventilated area.
They were old 1960's Ben Pearson cedars. I refinished them to look like they were originally and plan to hunt with them.
Old doesn't start until you hit three figures...and then it's negotiable

Tim Finley

I do it when ever I get tired of the way my arrow look or if they get beat up . I have stripped lots of arrows so I could taper the last 12 inches. I make a tray of aluminum foil pour in  about a half inch of acetone and soak them maybe 5 min. then wipe the shafts off with paper towels and steel wool then sand with 220 grit . They come out like new shafts and its not too messy of a job.

dringge

I don't refinish. I see the wear and scrapes and scars as badges of honorary service. I prefer the worn look.
NRA Life Member

two4hooking

I would Lightly sand them down and paint them full length.  I like the looks of painted ones anyway.

tecum-tha

I did it several times with POC and Maple when finish became flakey. I just scraped it off with a knife blade held at 90 degrees. I wouldn't trust chemical strippers as they may affect the lignin(natural wood glue) between the fibers. Remember, we demand a lot from super thin pieces of wood.

mahantango

I buy old arrows at antique shops and flea markets all the time. Zip Strip works great. Scrape when soft with a dull knife blade then Scotchbrite. Some of that old POC is the best.
We are all here because we are not all there.


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