Cleaning up old Buntline...

[K. Mogensen]

Here I go with even more questions. Sorry guys.

So I've started cleaning up the old Buntline that I got and just wanted to ask a few things.

I've wiped it down with baby wipes and denatured alcohol, both cleaned it up a bit, but there is still a fair amount of grime left. What's a good cleaner? I think I remember reading something about toothpaste?

Then, there's some finish flaking a bit on one limb tip, as well as the side of the limb. Can I wipe a couple coats of tru oil over these to protect them? Have kind of decided I don't want to sand it all the way down and refinish if I don't have too. It's a unique bow in pretty good condition (no twisted limbs or cracks) that I'd like to keep as original as possible.

 

Then, there's what looks to be a stab. bushing hole on the front of the bow, that I'd like to get a bushing for. Seems like the type that I see around though are 7/16 and the hole for this measures more like 5/16. Will the 7/16 fit or will I need to put something else in there? (    

Thanks again guys.

Kiefer

 

[ksbowman]

Kiefer, I haven't used Truoil, but I use Minwax poly wipeon. I've done the same partial repair before and I do a whole limb surface or riser face when I do it. Just scuff up the finish with some 320 then 600 wet or dry and wipe down with thinner before you apply the Minwax. Like truoil it will take several coats. As for the insert The Nocking Point has them. Just give Mike a call and tell him what you need.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

You can still find the 5/16 inserts. There is a shop I just bought some old ones locally.  

Cool looking bow!  Good luck with bringing it back back.

[Jack Shanks]

The old finish appears to have yellowed quite a bit. Might need to sand it off the entire limbs to make it look best before appling either Poly or Tru Oil.
 
Stabilizer inserts are also available at 3Rivers.

 http://search.3riversarchery.com/search?w=stabilizer%20insert

[Bjorn]

I have wiped Tru Oil directly over lots of existing finishes with good results but always test on a small area first.

[K. Mogensen]

Thanks guys. I think I've got what I'm looking for. I'll try wiping the tru oil on that section first and just see what it looks like. If I need too, I'll lightly sand the entire limb face and then apply.

Jack, I saw those, but they look to be 7/16?  

[K. Mogensen]

I scraped the flaking off on that tip with my finger tonight and then feathered the old varnish on it with some 0000 steel wool. Doesn't look too bad IMO. After I clean the bow up I'll tru oil it.

 

[mahantango]

The only way you're going to get an even color on the limbs is to get all of that old, yellowed finish off. Really not that hard and worth it IMO. A dull pocket knife or cabinet scraper, some 150-180 grit sandpaper and a little time will have that green glass looking like new and ready for the finish of your choice. Tru-oil is great and will blend into the riser if you don't want to mess with the finish on the wood.

[K. Mogensen]

Well, after sleeping on it, maybe you're right. I kind of like to think of the bow's original finish as being part of its history, but to do it right I probably oughta just do the whole thing. I was kind of thinking the bow might be some kind of great rarity or something too, but the more I look at it, it's just a bow a guy built for himself or a friend/family member maybe. I found a finger print in the existing varnish today, which to me, tells me it wasn't necessarily a pro custom job or factory or anything.

I do really like the bow though, and don't wanna mess it up. My last bow looked alright with tru oil, but I had issues with 'brush marks' in it  (I did try to keep the coats thin) until I sprayed it with spar. It looked alright, just not great. That could also be part of my aprehension. As well as both of my parents saying maybe I should leave it alone because it looks fine to them.    :rolleyes:

[mahantango]

Wipe the Tru-oil on with your fingers or a folded up coffee filter. Many thin coats, steel wool or Scotch Brite in between. Stay away from brushes. Final polish with compound when you are satified with the finish.