Cleaning up old bows

[Matty]

OK WITHOUT RUINING THE ORIGINAL FINNSH,,, How do I get paint (most likely Spray paint) and other goop (taple glue)
  off of old wood bows?

[The Great Jashu]

I use Fast Orange hand cleaner and it cleans everthing right up. Soem guys use WD-40, rubbing alcohol, steel wool and fingernail pollish remover. I expect all will work.

[Bowman0202]

Fingernail Polish remover is basically acetone or a like substance which will eat the finish right off.

[Matty]

Yeah I couldnt imagine Fingernail polish, acetone or steel wool.  I bet they would even delaminate the limbs.  Never heard of using Fast orange,  Maybe even Simple green..

[rbbhunt]

If it's a fiberglass laminated bow, acetone won't hurt it.  I've cleaned a few using it.  Just use it outside.

[The Great Jashu]

The Fast Orange hand cleaner has a slight grit and doesnt mar the bow finish. Takes paint and glues off and just makes the bow shine.

[bbassi]

Trust me on this. best stuff I've seen, and I've tried a bunch.

 

[Matty]

I love when a New Yorker says "trust me on this"  Having spent my first 26 years there i know it gets you in trouble.

[bbassi]

Who, us?    

You must have us mistaken with them southern New Yorkers that have to travel to see trees.

[longstick]

4/0 steel wool is great for getting slight scratches and such and then I use an automotive compound and buff it down by hand

[Rusty in Fla.]

You might try "Goo gone" for something that has the same orange smell as the hand cleaner.

  I know a guy that restores old radios. His go to cleaner is hydrogen peroxide.

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

My preferred treatment is 0000 Steel wool with mineral spirits, plus a lot of elbow grease, Then spruce it up with true oil..