I recently picked up an early 1970's recurve bow, over all in good shape but the varnish is cracking and peeling. if i was going to refinish the bow how would i go about it? What type of finish should i use (polyurethane, epoxy, etc....) Also do i just coat the wood with the finish or the fiber glass backing on the limbs also? Thanks in advance.
When I refinish an old bow, especially the ones from the 70s, I find that the old varnish is usually yellowed and wanting to come off. I usually use a blunt blade and scrap off the old finish. It will usually come right off. If you use sand paper, be very careful and only take off the finish. If you sand into the glass, or wood (whichever it is) you can throw off the tiller. If you do that, you will need to retiller it and lose some draw weight. If you can use a blunt blade, dull cabinet scraper, or the back of a knife, I would suggest it. Once you get off the old finish, smooth it out with light sand paper. Usually 220 is enough, just dont go crazy with it. I then go with a 350, 480, 600, and then 1100. Then finish with whatever you want. Tung oil is great. All the polys will work. Varathans etc. all work. Oh yea, finish the whole bow. You want to seal the limbs. Put your chosen finish on the glass, wood, grip, and tips everything..
