Removing the finish

[fixer]

What is the best way to bemove the finish on a bow? I have concerns about using finish removers not knowing if they would damage the glue used in the laminations. I understand some sand and some scrape is there any other safe ways being used?  Any input is appreciated.

[Mike Most]

Fixer,

I use 150 grit sandpaper on mine. once down to the glass or wood, (and you can tell) then 220, 300, and maybe 400 grit before a refinish.

Good luck

Mike

[Igor]

I use to sand....now I scrape first and then sand with 220 - 600 and the last 2 refinishers I used super glue as a finish on the riser. Looks great...when you put it on thin and polish with 0000 steelwood after a couple of coats and every coat after..


Good luck

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Glenn

[fixer]

Thanks for the info. When I was trying to find a remover the people in the paint dept. said there could also be a reaction with the fiber glass as to staining it, and some of the removers would also remove epoxy that was my concern with glue lines. So I thought I would check here to see what was used and it sounds like you do it probably the safest and best way. Thanks again for your feed back.

[Adam Keiper]

I use a cabinet scraper to get the worst of it off, then progressively finer sandpaper, starting with someting around 100 grit.

[fixer]

Thanks Adam, so far sounds as though everyone uses manual means no chemical methods.

[Adam Keiper]

Here's a video clip of bow I rehabbed this summer.  Scraper and sandpaper to strip it.    

 

[fixer]

Adam, Looks like you do good work the bow looks real nice. Thanks DeVon

[WVeer]

I use lacquer thinner, steel wool and various grit sand papers.  Lacquer thinner evaporates fast and doesn't seem to effect glues.  I stripped a factory camo finish from a old Bear Kodiak Mag only to find another complete finish underneath including new silkscreen prints.