Refinishing advice.

[iso2k4]

About 18 years ago my next door neighbor gifted me a Bear Black Bear recurve. It draws 30# @ 28in.  I have recently found it at my parents house and would like to use it to learn to shoot traditionally.  Before I learn would it be possible to refinish it?  I do not necessarily mean completely stripping it, but it does have some scratches on both glasses.  What would be the best way to go about this?  Perhaps some suggestions on compatible finishes or whether to sand it or use steel wool.  Any direction would be greatly appreciated.

-Matt

[iso2k4]

So hopefully this will work.  I picked up some 0000 steel wool and some automotive wet/dry sandpaper.  I will try the steel wool first then apply a coat of Deft satin.  After letting it dry I will steel wool it again and use a tack cloth then apply another coat.   Hopefully that will work as I don't want to damage the bear decals.  If not I guess I will sand it down with 220 on up to 1000 grit then start over with the above process.

[JimB]

You don't have to go any finer than 320 grit to apply finish to.If you get it too smooth the finish won't have as much to adhere to.I don't like steel wool myself as it can pick finish out of the wood's pores and between coats,it may leave a slight oil residue.I just use the sandpaper.I use fairly stiff felt pads as sanding blocks.It makes a nicer job to get all the finish off but you obviously can't do that over the decals and writing.Just sand up to them and very lighly over top of them with 220 or 320.There is finish over them so you can sand lightly but be careful not to get carried away.

A lot of people use Tru Oil.I have been using Helmsmans satin spar in a spray can 4-6 coats.The glass doesn't need a ton of finish but the wood needs to be protected from moisture,especially the limb edges.

If you go to the Trad History/Collecting forum,somewhere,Bowdoc had a 100+ page how to on everything you would ever need to know about fixing and refinishing old bows.A ton of information.

I think your Deft will work well.

[iso2k4]

Thank you sir.  Looks like I'm in for a long read, but so far it is exactly what I was looking for.

-Matt