Cleaning Bear white overlays?

[Timbuck2]

I just purchased a 1970 Bear Kodiak Hunter with the white overlays. After receiving and cleaning off what looked to be 39 years of dust and dirt and the bow hardly had a scratch on it( may have been the dirt & grime that protected the bow from getting scratched lol). Anyway after cleaning i noticed the white overlays have turned yellow. Any safe product to use to bring the overlays back to white?

Tim

[KY..Rob]

You might ask the guy's over in "Trad History and collecting" they know how to spiff up them older jewels. But I believe your problem is the finish on the bow, it's notorious for turning yellow over the years. You might try some light sanding with some 000 steel wool, and then re coat with some Tru Oil.

[Don Stokes]

My 1970 Super Kodiak is the same way. The yellowing is more pronounced on the handle overlays than the tips. I'll be hunting with mine this year, and after taking it to the woods judoing yesterday I decided to paint it- too much glare from the factory finish, and white is not good for hunting unless there's snow. Condition is a bit rough, anyhow. Wouldn't do it to a gem like yours.

[JimB]

I think you will have to sand those to get the yellow off.It is mostly in the finish,or at least on the surface.I would use 220 grit sandpaper followed by finer grits till you get it where you want it.You can get them white as new.

[TonyW]

Be very careful sanding when the yellowed Fullerplast finish begins to give way to the white phenolic. Rinse often with ultra fine 3M wet'n'dry sandpaper. Go too far too fast and the smooth white phenolic surface will start to show its fibers!

[JimB]

I think the white tips are fiberglass.

[Timbuck2]

Thanks for all your help & suggestions guys.
I spent some time cleaning the overlays today and i didn't get it all but i can live with it.
Thanks again.  ain.

[JimB]

That's a beauty.Nice job.

[yellow bow]