i Have an old home made wood long bow needs to be refinished, it is for my wife and i would like to pretty it up for her,  can it be stripped and painted then resealed, is there a special paint i should use??  if not i'll back it with something !!
        thank you all in advance!!  Jim

Jim, clean that bow up with sandpaper up to 220 or 320 and spray it with some Minwax fast drying poly or Helmsman Spar Urethane or Defthane Poly Platinum Protection.  All work work ok.  Follow directions on rattle-can and choose gloss, or satin.  About $8.00.  Plus some sandpaper.  

Paint??  I wouldnt paint a wood bow.

You also have the option of staining the wood a color (tint) your wife would like before spraying with rattle can of your choosing.