Like others have reported, it used to be very common to paint our recurves. After stringing, silencing, and nock locator painting soon followed. To avoid the prying eyes of our prey.
Heck, one year I was such a fanatic about it that I protected the very edge of the sharpened edge and spray planted the broadhead itself.
I realize that's going pretty far. But, in the days of one deer limits and in some cases shorter seasons, I spent a lot of time planing and tinkering for the season.
I'm hoping to find a 58, 60, or 62" Thunderbird that has been painting that I can "rescue"! I found one of the really short ones that I love.