Rubbing out a bow

[2treks]

I spoke to a guy at Denton Hill a few years ago and he had swaped into a sweet old recurve.It was a mess when he got it but he sat around the camp fire that night and rubbed the bow out with some stuff and it was mighty fine looking the next day. I forget what he told me he used to rub it with. Anybody have a tip for me?
I bought a really nice Hill bow this past weekend that I want to work on some. It has a high gloss finish.
  Thanks for any and all help.
Chuck

[reddogge]

I use Scratch Out, an automotive product. Will really shine up a bow.

[2treks]

Scratch out! I will try it. do I get it at the auto parts store or the paint shop?
Thank you

Chuck

[C Kerley]

I use toothpaste.  Not the gel, the white scratchy kind.

[2treks]

Mint or wintergreen fresh?  :p  
I have heard of folk using that for polishing stuff. I think I have some stuff I used to use for detailing my truck. I will see.
Thanks guys for the help.
CTT

[reddogge]

Any auto parts store or Walmart should carry it.

[Orion]

Birchwood-Casey makes a product called Stock Sheen that works really well.  Rottenstone, a rubbing compound available at hardware stores, will also work, but its grit is a little coarser.  So you bought a Hill.  Does that mean that Whip ended up with the Jack Howard?

[2treks]

YUP,  :(  
Thanks for the tip.

[Orion]

     For both of you.

[manfromthepast]

3M "Imperial Compound and Finishing Material" is pretty magical stuff.  About $30 for a quart and that is enough to do a whole bunch of bows.  Made for use with a slow speed buffing pad, but works better just rubbing by hand with a clean rag on bows. You can find it on-line or sometimes marine stores have it because it is used to buff out gelcoat finishes on boats.  Have tried pumice and rottenstone and this works much better.  Haven't tried "Scratch Out" or toothpaste on a bow so don't know about them.

[YORNOC]

I treat all mine like a car. Rubbing compound to the finest 2200 grit polishing compounds for museum quality gloss..