remove snake skins?

[trentcur]

I figured a few of you would know how to do this safely without damaging a bows finish. I have a great plains longbow that has snakeskins that I want removed. I am thinking of re skinning but want to see what the limbs look like w out first. How can I remove these safely???

Also the problem with the existing skins is they are starting to fade a little...... can a guy do a light sand on them and re finish? IF so what kind of finish?

Thanks to you all AGAIN:)

[Adam Keiper]

Can't say I've sanded off or down over snakeskins.  How about peeling off the grip and sanding the off the skins there to see the wood?  Any exploratory work there would be masked by a new grip if you decided to stick with the skins.

[Dmaxshawn]

I just took a set off for a guy and I really didnt know how I was going to do it.  So I just used my razor knife to get them started and peeled them off.  Then I clamped the limb down and was able to use the razor knife to get all the TB glue off.   I'll put a very light 220 sanding on them and respray.


hope this helps

[trentcur]

oh and BTW this is for a glass bow......

[PEARL DRUMS]

I have taken them off self bows with gentle heat gun coaxing and SLOWLY peeling them off. It worked great twice. The glue used is the deal breaker. I use white wood glue so its easy.

[T Folts]

I took a pair off and replaced them on a glass bow. I just worked up a edge and peel and scraped them off. I used hot water and solvent to clean them up then sandpaper. I wouldnt use a heat gun on a glass bow. It want that hard, most snake skins are put on with titebond glue.

[trentcur]

tell me a good wood combination to use with hickory:) Should hickory be used as a belly wood or a backing?