how do I go about getting fletching off of an arrow and getting he glue off of it also? and what do I have to do to the shaft to prepare it for the new fletching?
If you're not fetching them yourself the bow should should do it. Take a fetching scraper or pocket knife (not sharp but not really dull) and take the fetchings off. Rub some denatured alcohol and rub the glue and oils from your hands and finger off.
After you scrape the fletching off with an exacto knife, go to Lowe's or Walmart and buy some adhesive remover. That stuff works great! Blessings. ..........Pastorjim
Believe it or not but a vegetable peeler works pretty well for removing vanes and feathers. Some folks use nail polish remover and then alcohol to remove the oil from the nail polish remover but that is too many steps for me. I just use denatured alcohol and it works well.
I scrape them off with a razor knife, feel for any bumps meaning missed glue, scrape till smooth (not too hard, ya don't want to cut into the arrow)... then a quick rub down with 400 grit sandpaper to remove any varnish from the shaft... then wipe down with Acetone to remove any oils and sanding dust... then refletch..
I boil water in a pot and then dip the fletched part of the arrow in for about 15 secs. This loosens the glue tremendously. I then take a box cutter or single sided razor blade and get them off. Afterwards, I take 90% alcohol on a rag and clean the remaining adhesive off.
