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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: fixer on December 26, 2009, 03:38:00 PM

Title: Removing the finish
Post by: fixer on December 26, 2009, 03:38:00 PM
What is the best way to bemove the finish on a bow? I have concerns about using finish removers not knowing if they would damage the glue used in the laminations. I understand some sand and some scrape is there any other safe ways being used?  Any input is appreciated.
Title: Re: Removing the finish
Post by: Mike Most on December 26, 2009, 04:20:00 PM
Fixer,

I use 150 grit sandpaper on mine. once down to the glass or wood, (and you can tell) then 220, 300, and maybe 400 grit before a refinish.

Good luck

Mike
Title: Re: Removing the finish
Post by: Igor on December 26, 2009, 04:46:00 PM
I use to sand....now I scrape first and then sand with 220 - 600 and the last 2 refinishers I used super glue as a finish on the riser. Looks great...when you put it on thin and polish with 0000 steelwood after a couple of coats and every coat after..


Good luck

><>
Glenn
Title: Re: Removing the finish
Post by: fixer on December 26, 2009, 06:42:00 PM
Thanks for the info. When I was trying to find a remover the people in the paint dept. said there could also be a reaction with the fiber glass as to staining it, and some of the removers would also remove epoxy that was my concern with glue lines. So I thought I would check here to see what was used and it sounds like you do it probably the safest and best way. Thanks again for your feed back.
Title: Re: Removing the finish
Post by: Adam Keiper on December 29, 2009, 10:01:00 AM
I use a cabinet scraper to get the worst of it off, then progressively finer sandpaper, starting with someting around 100 grit.
Title: Re: Removing the finish
Post by: fixer on December 29, 2009, 01:29:00 PM
Thanks Adam, so far sounds as though everyone uses manual means no chemical methods.
Title: Re: Removing the finish
Post by: Adam Keiper on December 29, 2009, 04:27:00 PM
Here's a video clip of bow I rehabbed this summer.  Scraper and sandpaper to strip it.   :coffee:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFCc3_Lk_HY
Title: Re: Removing the finish
Post by: fixer on December 29, 2009, 10:33:00 PM
Adam, Looks like you do good work the bow looks real nice. Thanks DeVon
Title: Re: Removing the finish
Post by: WVeer on January 01, 2010, 06:58:00 PM
I use lacquer thinner, steel wool and various grit sand papers.  Lacquer thinner evaporates fast and doesn't seem to effect glues.  I stripped a factory camo finish from a old Bear Kodiak Mag only to find another complete finish underneath including new silkscreen prints.