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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: adkmountainken on March 27, 2025, 02:20:43 AM

Title: where to get a HH bow refinished?
Post by: adkmountainken on March 27, 2025, 02:20:43 AM

now that Craig is no longer running Howard Hill Archery where can you get a Howard Hill longbow refinished to factory specs? i have a Big 5 i want to have refinished.

Title: Re: where to get a HH bow refinished?
Post by: Orion on March 27, 2025, 12:20:37 PM

Any bow builder can refinish it for you, but it's quite easy to do yourself.  Lightly sand off the old finish and spray on several coats of a new finish, or hand apply multiple coats of Birchwood Casey gun stock finish. 

Title: Re: where to get a HH bow refinished?
Post by: Hud on March 27, 2025, 02:06:21 PM

I'll second, Birchwood Casey Tru Oil, I have used it for several years on different bows. I like to use a 3 x 6 in. soft/fine Scotch Brite scouring pad to sand the existing finish, because it dulls the finish without leaving scratches. Next wipe off the dust and smooth out an deeper scratches. If there is any surface cracks, use Locktite 420 to fill in. If there are any rough spots, use several coats of Tru Oil to smooth out before refinishing the bow. Birchwood Casey Tru Oil will dry in under an hour depending on the temperature and humidity. To build up several coats, use the Scotch Brite to dull the finish and apply more Tru Oil. If your first coat looks great, you can add a second before it is dry, but only if there isn't specks of dust in the finish.  I like to use 2x2 cotton pads used to clean gun barrels. If you get Tru Oil on a table, etc. clean it off with mineral spirits before it dries. Adding coats will give a glossy finish. For a matt finish, use fewer coats or go over it with the Scotch Brite pads, lightly.Tru Oil has a short shelf life, that can be extended by spraying propane under the foil seal under the cap. So when you first open the bottle, poke a small hole in the foil seal to dispense it on the cotton pads, and cover with kitchen wrap before replacing the cap. Have fun.

Title: Re: where to get a HH bow refinished?
Post by: Rob DiStefano on March 30, 2025, 08:54:06 AM

Tru-Oil is a fine finish for all woods, whether bows, or gun stocks, or guitars.  :thumbsup:

I used it on a 7 Lakes unfinished longbow blank build I did years ago.

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