What tools for sanding limbs and risers?

[J. Cook]

What tools do you use to sand the old finish off a bow? Are most of you simply using elbow grease and sandpaper, or are you using some type of sander? Also - how do I know when all the finish is actually off? I want to be sure I get it sanded off, but obviously don't want to get into the glass on the limbs.

Thanks for any help!

[Dave Worden]

Cabinet scraper first, then sandpaper.  Shine a light obliquely over the surface to look for shiny spots where the finish has not been removed.

[ChuckC]

I second the use of a cabinet scraper before the sandpaper.  Less wasted paper for sure.
ChuckC

[dringge]

I am not a woodworker. I had to go look up a cabinet scraper. Very nice tool.

[Zradix]

I just use sandpaper.
Start coarse end with fine.
Doesn't take long at all.

[Tim in Wa.]

i'd use paint remover to get the finish off than sandpaper 120 grit to start) to get the leftover residue .If a cabinet scraper is sharp I think it will take to much off

[stagetek]

I've done quite a few using just sandpaper. I'll have to look into a cabinet scraper.

[ksbowman]

I have used straight sandpaper starting with 100 and working down, usually finishing with 320. on the limbs I like to wrap the paper around a piece of wooden ruler (easier on my fingers and prevents any cupping). On the rounded areas on the I like to wrap the paper around a piece of dowel whatever diameter works best for the application. If I can I start with a sharp, wide wood chisel to scrape the finish off as much as possible. When sanding the limbs you will see the finish coming off and when you reach the glass it will become a dull sheen.

[Pointer]

I've re-finished many old bows and it usually depends on what kind of shape the finish is in to start with and how thick it is. When I'm working on an old Bear or Wing recurve I start with 100 grit on my sanding block. Those finishes were usually pretty thick. I will go up to 120 and 150 then 180. If it's an old Ben Pearson the finish is usually thinner to begin with so I'll start with 150 and end with 180. I don't bother with any kind of power tool. There is an unmistakable difference in the feel of how the paper is cutting once the finish is gone and you are on the glass.Take your time and change the paper often.

[ChuckC]

Be careful using chemicals.   If they remove epoxy as well ( many do) you may be causing your lams to  have future issues.

Generally a cabinet scraper does not cut very deep at all, it scrapes, as the name implies.  I generally do not use it on the glass flats of the limbs, although I have, carefully, to start the process, but on the riser, heck yeah, get that finish off then sand.  A good job with the scraper will leave wood that often hardly needs sanding.
ChuckC