I have been using douglas fir and some other woods; and I just got some premium cedars. So do I paint over the oil that seems visible to the eye - or do I remove the layer of shine on the arrows and then paint; or is there an alternative.

By the way - Kustom King; fast and furious with delivery; and I am very happy with the dozen I got; and their service.

I think the shine you are seeing is from the shafts being burnished, the pitch in the wood really makes them shine.  I just put the paint on the shaft or what ever finish I want.  Cedar comes out so smooth that I seldom have to sand them.

Yeah, the shine is from the burnishing. I get my POC arrow shafts from 3R and they always come shiny looking. I just either seal them or stain and seal right over the bare wood.

THANKS