Cleaning camo paint off?

[Keefer]

I know this topic has come up several times but I want to know what would be the best cleaner to get old camo off a bow and grime without hurting the original finish? I got napha,denatured alcohol, and a little paint thinner but wasn't sure if they would do any harm or not...Thanks in advance and greatly appreciate any advice....Keefers <")))><

[Dave Worden]

I've found that lacquer thinner works great on most bows.  Generally, the original finish on a bow is a two-part finish that is virtually impervious to the thinner.  I've also found that if the paint you're trying to remove is not oil based, it is also pretty much impervious to lacquer thinner and has to be sanded off.  I've cleaned bows with the lacquer thinner and had all the "extra" paint and gunk come off easier than you'd think possible.  Just a quick wipe with the wet rag and the bow sparkled.  That's generally the case, BUT all you can do is experiment unless you know what the original finish is.

[d. ward]

Any thing like laquer thinner or acetone alcohol will remove some paints as mentioned...but you may want to pick up a fine scotch-brite pot scruber pad.That scrubbing action will really help the L-T or acetone alcohol whatever work a little faster.I get those green no brand name pot scrubber pads at wall mart for cheeeeeep,about 10 for 2.00...use em once and toss it out.Here is a tip,never use any type of paint striper or paint and epoxy remover on your laminated recurves or long bows.It will remove the paint and some of the glue lines too.bowdoc

[Keefer]

Thanks guys for chiming in....These are two early 70's Kodiak mags I just purchased lastnight from a local antique shop...A lady I know since my childhood days works there part time and is close to the owner of the shop...I got both bows for  $75.00 ...That is $37.50 each and a good bargain for two kodiaks ...I have a near mint early  kodiak mag that is a twin to one of the ones I purchased lastnight but the screen on where it says Kodiak mag is on the upper back of one limb and upper belly of the other...One has a darker wood accent stripe and one lighter...Both  have the brass bear coin inlay and two tone brown wood riser...Where it says Grayling bear on lower limb one has " Bear archery" and the other "Bear Archery Company" look much alike except for those few details... Anyway thanks again and God Bless! Keefers <")))><

[d. ward]

Good hit there Keefer,thats a bargin for 37.50 per bow....But one thought I had are the bows factory camo???? or rattle can stuff...bowdoc

[Keefer]

The one I am trying to clean up is a Kodiak that is the green stain and blue accent in riser...It looks as if they only painted the limbs because most has been removed by someone else...My guess is a rattle can...I am getting it off but I had to stop and do some yard saleing and shopping with the wife and daughter today so I had to stop working on it for awhile...Hey bowdoc someone drilled this one for sights should I put some epoxy in the holes to keep moisture out? The other kodiak is just dull looking...Kinda looks like it was laying in a shop for 30 some years and it's cleaning up pretty good.Thanks for your help & God bless !Keefers <")))><

[d. ward]

Oh yeah I would for sure fill them holes.Any moisture in there could just lead to problems down the road....how's about some pics ??? bowdoc

[Keefer]

Wish I knew how to load pics (Wife does them )I am one of those people who is gagetry illiterated and ain't two good at spellin much...O.K. i hooked schoolin a lot and played with my bow n arrows more then readin and rightin...But if I beg and plead maybe she would when I.m done cleaning them...God Bless, Keefers <")))><

[Can Hahaka]

Goof Off worked for me - be sure you are well ventilated.