How do you repair cracks in the glass from overtightening limb bolts?

[J. Cook]

Hi guys - I've got a TD recurve with some linear cracks in the glass that go through the bolt holes.  They appear to be a result of overtightening the TD bolts.  I'm going to do a complete refinish on this bow and would like to repair those cracks as well.  My question to you guys is what's the best method for doing that?  Do I just overlay with superglue after I get the finish off and then sand that down smooth before refinishing, or is there a better alternative.

Please be detailed in your response as to how to repair those cracks.  These do appear to be superficial only, but I want to fix them while I'm already re-finishing the bow.

I tried searching and didn't get exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks in advance!!!

[Flem]

Well, it's a bit difficult to give a detailed response to your issue without some good pictures. I'll take a stab at it anyhow. With the old finish gone, get some dummy bolts, wax them and thread them in the holes. Mix up some low viscosity epoxy, like Smooth-On Epoxamite, or System Three Clear Coat. Gently heat up the area to be repaired with a heat gun and pour some epoxy on. Gently heat up the epoxy to help it flow into the crack and then let it cure at room temp. Sand the repair flat after curing, then finish. Good luck!

[Mark R]

You could overlay with some nice wood veneer using smooth on jmho.

[Crooked Stic]

I am thinking overlays with smooth on.

[Al Dean]

Stop drill the crack, then proceed as you wish.

[kennym]

I was thinking overlay it also, but if you can get the glue to work to your satisfaction, I  do like no overlays. So try glue first and if you don't like the result, overlay it .

[monterey]

Do the cracks extend into the wood?  Can you see cracks in the wood at the butt end of the limbs?

[Tim Finley]

Glue wont work the cracks will keep going eventually way down the limb . You need to overlay that stops the crack, moisture, humidity will cause the cracks to travel . Ive tried drilling holes in the end of the cracks but they just go on though .
  Its mostly caused by moisture getting in through the bolt holes they aren't coated good or the threads wore off the finish . If you have uls glass it normally wont happen .

[Flem]

I think the Op lost interest, or maybe he's trying to figure out how to post pictures.

[J. Cook]

Hi guys definitely haven't lost interest - had to go out of town unexpectedly for work.  The cracks are on both belly and back.  Not in the wood or limb cores at all that I can tell. 

[Crooked Stic]

Can you feel them from the outside of the glass? Looks like stress lines being it is on the belly also.

[Flem]

My recommendations are worthless, now that I see the pictures. Looks like the problem is more extensive than just over tightening the bolts. Pinstripe those limbs, or paint them to look like corduroy.

[Tim Finley]

Ya its too late for that bow !!!

[J. Cook]

Ya its too late for that bow !!!

Explain?  Is the bow beyond repairable and shouldn't be shot, or you mean it's just too late to truly "fix" the glass? 

[Crooked Stic]

Repair it with new limbs.

[Flem]

I think I would shoot it, but not worry about making those limbs pretty again.

[Mark R]

Belly and back look like stress cracks for what ever reason, they may continue to grow, use at your own risk, the glass is the strongest part of the limb if it fails nothing there to save it, see if you can get new limbs jmho.

[Pat B]

Could it be faulty glass. I don't build glass bows so it's just a thought.