Dulling Bow Finish

[Gun]

What grit of steel wool or ? can I use to dull the finish on a Bear TD riser that is gloss now.
Thanks in advance!

[Crooked Stic]

Try 0000 steel wool.

[Kirkll]

Try 0000 steel wool.

2X   

[Pat B]

A quick spray of satin poly will also.

[mmattockx]

Steel wool is pretty aggressive on a finish. Before trying that I would see if one of the more aggressive grades of scotchbrite pad will get you to the finish you want. You can always go more aggressive if you need to, but it's a lot more work to go back once you've went too far.


Mark

[Jack Denbow]

Gun, you might try those Scotch Bright pads. That is what I use on my personal arrows. I get mine from Lowes, but I would think you should be able to get them from any paint store. I like the way things look when using the pads vs steel wool.
Jack

[Kirkll]

I’ve used the ultra fine scotch pads for years and they are fine for hitting finish between coats, but I wouldn’t use them to tame a gloss finish down. The  0000 steel wool is the way to go for giving you a hand rubbed satin finish. After you rub it down use a cotton rag to polish it. You won’t damage your finish rubbing it down by hand. Been doing it for many years….

I use a high gloss auto clear coat to spray all my bows, but I spray a fine Matt finish which gives it the satin look. Occasionally it’s a bit too shinny and can be easily rubbed out.   The last thing I’d do is spray a satin poly over an existing finish…. You are just looking for problems there….


 Kirk

[Crooked Stic]

YeahI been using 0000 for years on Krystal. Witch is not a super hard finish.

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I scuff with 0000 steel wool followed by a quick spray of satin lacquer to full the shine from truoil. It works well for me.

Kyle

[Gun]

Thanks guys. I'll give the steel wool a shot first and see how it looks

[Kirkll]

I scuff with 0000 steel wool followed by a quick spray of satin lacquer to full the shine from truoil. It works well for me.

Kyle

Did you say you are spraying lacquer over True Oil ?   

[Mad Max]

I use 0000 steel wool and this pad to finish it off.
Rub it hard with this pad .
https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-Final-Finishing-Pads/3609758

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I scuff with 0000 steel wool followed by a quick spray of satin lacquer to full the shine from truoil. It works well for me.

Kyle

Did you say you are spraying lacquer over True Oil ?   

Yup. I put a very thin coat and I haven’t had any issues with it. I also scuff the finish with steel wool before hand. The spray is just enough to knock off the sheen and dries in seconds. With this combo I haven’t had issues with water spots from the bows getting rained on and I still get the depth of character in the wood from the truoil.

Kyle

[Kirkll]

I’m really surprised you’ve had good luck with that. Lacquer is not known for holding up with moisture at all.

I think about all the old dinning room tables and coffee tables that had lacquer finishes, and what happens when you don’t use a coaster for your glass or coffee cup… I’ve refinished a lot of those pieces over the years with those coffee cup circles. 

You would be better off using Helmsman Spar varnish…. Speaking of which… Helmsman has a water base product that I played with it about 18 months ago that is outstanding! I refinished some outdoor lawn furniture with the stuff and it was impressive how well its held in UV rays and wet weather conditions too. 

Typically spar varnish requires a little TLC every year for boat bright works and outdoor furniture. This water base stuff held up much better than I thought it would.

Food for thought….

[Gun]

Thanks everyone! I got the results I wanted w some scotch brite I had laying around.

[Kirkll]

Thanks everyone! I got the results I wanted w some scotch brite I had laying around.

Great Avitar of the Bird and Broadhead.