Hello,

 I just got a selfbow from a man that needs a little bit of refinishing. It is big leaf maple that has been stained(dont know if it was oil or water base). He finished it with Minwax polyurethane about a week and a half ago. There are a few places on the bow where the finish had rubbed or fallen off where loose wood may not have been sanded off originally. The bow performs flawlessly, but I want to get the finish repaired before the bow suffers from it.

 I was thinking about sanding (or steel wool so I dont change the weight) the whole bow to remove the original poly. Then applying formby's tung oil which has polyurethane in it. With the formby's I usually "scrub" in 2 or 3 coats with steel wool and then possibly a finish coat. I also thought of just spraying it again with poly. I really like the bow. It was made for my weight preference and draw length. I want to do what is best for my bow.

 I am wanting to know what yall would do to the bow if it was yours? Should I unlace and removed the leather handle if I refinish?

 The most important thing to me is the welfare of the bow.

Tommy

Tommy, if it was me, I'd just steel wool the bad spots and repair the Poly.