Refinishing wooden recurve

[Cavscout9753]

I hope this is the right place to post this. I have a one piece Samick Red Stag and I'd like to look into a simple refinishing of the wood. I understand about the risk of removing too much wood, all I want to do is remove some scratches in the poly finish, even it out a little, and seal it back up with poly. I'm not sure if this is even possible. I am thinking a super fine grit sand paper, lightly sand until everything is even, and then seal with several coats of a thin poly. I love the wood tones of the bow, I love shooting it, but at its price point its obvious that they're not "hand crafted" so to speak. I think it would really be a gorgous bow will a little re-finishing done to. So does anyone have any tips or techniques for doing so? Things I would like to know are:
1) Sand paper type/grit

2) Type of poly (If I can avoid cutting it thatd be best, id probably screw it up) is there a one step poly thats good?

3) How many coats? DOn't want a super-sheen gloss, just sealed properly.

Thanks in advance. If this is the wrong place I profusley apologize.

[Roy from Pa]

220 grit, then 320 for wood.

I like to use tung oil, you wipe it on, wait 6 to 7 minutes and buff it off. You have to let it dry 24 hours, then do another coat the same way. I do about 4 coats so your looking at 4 days for the finish. It will be dust and run free when done. It comes out a satin finish. The more coats the higher gloss you attain.

[Cavscout9753]

Ok so first sand with 220 and then sand with 320. Wipe clean and rub on tumg oil.. Just with a clean cloth rag? Then buff it off with just another clean rag and let dry for 24 hours then repeat for 4 coats. Once done, no buffing or anything else? Also, this may seem dumb but tung oil, sold at home depot or similar store?

[Roy from Pa]

I use rubber gloves and just smear it all over the bow, nice and heavy. Wait about 6 minutes and rub it off with a clean dry rag. The first pass down the bow, it will feel like glue, but after that first pass, just buff it like buffing wax off a car. Make sure to get down inside the string grooves when you wipe it off. After 4 coats and it's dry, you could put a coat of furniture paste wax on it if you desire. Yes Home Depot carries it, I use Min Wax Tung Oil.

[Cavscout9753]

Ok, sounds well and "easy". I suppose I was misleading in my title. The limbs are glass backed, so the refurb is really just the riser portion. Thank you again!

[Roy from Pa]

Ok on just riser.

[snapper1d]

Cavscout you are just sanding the finish off or smoothing it down with fine grit sand paper and not removing lots of wood to change the tiller.Just do as Roy says and you will have it looking like new.I know it sounds a little scary for doing it the first time but you will be fine.

[rmorris]

Hey ole Roy, do you know by any chance how tung oil sticks to glass if it is sanded before the tung oil is applied? Also, am I going to need to prime the oily woods like cocobolo before applying tung oil?

[Roy from Pa]

Not sure on glass, Ralph. I do know if you don't wipe it off, it dries hard and clear as varnish. I suggest trying it on a test piece first. I've applied it over cocobolo with no sealer and no problems.

[rmorris]

Thanks Roy, I will give it a try.