Refinishing an old(ish) Tamerlane

[rheubach]

Hi all,

I'm brand new the the Trad Gang and not even sure if this is the forum to ask, but, here goes:

I picked up (literally) a late '60s Tamerlane HC 300 with reasonably good-looking bones but a rotten finish: peeling in places, absent in others and seriously yellowed where it remained.  I've already stripped it down to bare wood (fiberglass and plastic) but need advice on the proper product(s) to seal and finish the bow.  I assume that lacquer is the appropriate medium but don't want to apply a generic product if something more specific is called for.

Any advice?

Thanks

[Gapmaster]

You know, I just read an article today that said don't use lacquer because it doesn't stretch. Not sure if that's correct or not. Maybe some of these great bowyers on this sight will chime in and give some advice. I just noticed that nobody had responded and I thought I had better say someting so you would wait for a better more positive answer. I would hate to see you get ahead of yourself and have to remove all that lacquer. Too much work    Gapmaster

[BobW]

hold tight.... things are a little crazy around here right now and the resident expert(s) are away.  This is a topic for BowDoc, but bears are his priority right now......... someone will chime in, I'm sure.  Lots of knowlege around here.

[Steve P]

Also may want to put a post on the History/Collecting forum. Some of the refinish folks check in there frequently.

Steve

[rheubach]

Thanks guys,  

I appreciate the words of caution and won't apply goop of any kind until I hear from a master.

Randy

[portugeejn]

You might try posting this question on the Trad History/Collecting forum (and doing a search).  There is a lot of knowledge there.

Ron

[kurtbel5]

Hi Randy
I am learning from those guy's via the history collecting thread's.
Buy some crazy glue,for sealing cracks,and grain.
Most of us, use True Oil made by Birchwood Casey, there are other products, other people use also.
fine scotch brite pads work good in between coats.
Check it out in the history/collecting forum.
         Kurt

[rheubach]

Thanks for the advice and guidance, fellas.  I didn't really know where to start.  I will check out the history/collecting forum.

Randy

[rheubach]

Thanks everyone.  I found some great threads and perfect answers on the history/collecting forum as suggested.  Tru-Oil seems to be the masters' choice, so I'll be tracking some down ASAP.  (Who'd have thought to apply it with a coffee filter?  Amazing!)
This is an "awesome" website; a sincere, if atypical compliment from this 66 year-old archery re-discoverer.  
I'd shot semi-serious-recreationally from 1952 into the late-mid-'60s when other pursuits and interests drew me off in other directions, then briefly did a little more shooting in the very early 1970s, after which time my equipment lay in storage for some 30-odd years.
I got back into the sport almost by accident after my wife foolishly pressed me last December to decide on a Christmas present.  I really couldn't think of anything I needed.  Then, for some reason after all those years, I arbitrarily seized upon, "a new bow!" (There was no way I was going to be able to shoot my 1964, 55# Polar after all those years.)  
A week later I had a new, 40# Martin X200, a dozen Gold Tip Classics, quiver, bow case, etc., etc.  Joined a local club within the month, and was off and running!  My wife had created a monster!
Before buying the new bow, I'd begun net surfing and was aware of the virtually unlimited access it afforded to archery stuff.  **** auctions constantly were popping up on my web searches and before long I'd joined **** and PayPal and, without fully realizing that an obsession was taking hold, I found that I was searching in earnest for a bow that might recapture the "old glory days."
Back in the '60s, when I barely was able to afford the Polar I had bought at a local pro-shop from a kind merchant

[rheubach]

Sorry!  To finish a long story -- in "short" -- I have since bought two Tamerlanes -- formerly the bow of my dreams -- (and rescued a third, my refinish project,) one Tartar, a Wing P-II and a Browning Medallion, and my wife's about to have me committed!  Are there twelve-step meetings for bow-collecting addicts?
Thanks again for your help, , and your PATIENCE!
Randy
P.S.: Noticed the asterisks, above. They refer to what I believe is identified here as "e8ay".

[Shaun]

There are over 260 12 step programs for various afflictions, but none as yet for the bowaholic. We are adrift and helplessly continue our obsessive collecting and shooting of fine old and new bows. Since there is no help available, I suggest you just go with the flow and enjoy the ride.

[rheubach]

Thanks, Shaun.  Guess I'll stick with this encounter group.
Randy