asking for help refinishing a figerglass recurve

[James Anderson]

I am pretty new to this.  I bought a fiberglass recurve with camo paint on it.  I need help with several things.  How can I take off the paint without hurting the fiberglass gloss finish?
Second how could I refinish the fiberglass finish to make it glossy?  What kind of coating is recommended to make it look nice?
Thanks for any help you have.   Jim

[Howattfan]

Jim,

Do a search under the "Trade/History" sub heading on this site.  You should be able to find everything you need to know.  You should be able to take the paint off using a non toxic stripper or some 220 grit sand paper.  If you use the stripper do not use so much as to dissolve the glue on the limbs.  Refinishing a bow is not very hard, a little time consuming but worth it.  I prefer Minwax Wipe On Poly to make things glossy.  Like I said, surf through the trade/history threads on refinishing, you will learn alot.

Dave

[Mike Mecredy]

James,  use some "goo gone extreme" to wipe off the paint.  Then sand it smooth with some 220 grit garnet sand paper,  then again with some 320 aluminum oxide paper.  Once you get it all ready to apply finish wipe the whole thing down with some denatured alcohol.  Take it to a dust free area and apply some Birchwood Cassey, tru-oil gunstock finish with a rag. Buff with 0000 steel wool between coats and give the limbs 4 coats and the riser as many as you want.

[Hud]

I have used Goof Off, which is used to remove ink, paint, gum, just about anything. Test it in one spot.  If the camo is an add-on it will come off with one of these products. If it is factory, there may not be a finish underneath. If you choose to spray a finish, Tru Oil, or Daley's Profin Oil can be used, or good ol marine varnish. Check product labeling to see if it is UV rated. When working with wood sand only with the grain, regardless of what you use. Start with 220, work up to 600. I will finish with 600 garnet, wet, but not much moisture. Bare wood will absorb moisture. If he bare wood has pits, you can finish & sand until filled. Be aware of the humidity when sealing. Remove dust with a d.alcohol as suggested, or a tac cloth. Do your finish work in a dust free room, by misting the air with a spray bottle of water. Use a wire to hang the bow from the nock while applying finish or drying, unless you have a drying room. Glossy finish are nice, but hard to keep the dust out. Good luck. As a resource, check  www.tradarchersworld.com  formerly The Bowyers Journal. They are selling Jack B. Harrison's book along with a subscription. Title is "Traditional Bowyer, More Unnecessary Fun" It is a great book. You might find it on-line at  www.alibris.com  or Amazon.com  Good luck.