Refinishing question

[Warchild]

Has anyone ever attempted to remove scratches or dings by using steel wool? Should you "wet sand" it and does it usually require refinishing over the spot?

[kurtbel5]

Pictures would help,surface scratches can be rubbed out, ones through the finish need to have a finish put over it.
         Kurt

[Lost Creek Bows]

If you have deeper scratches or marks that reach beneath the top layer, more than likely you'll have to have it refinished. Also be careful, as a lot of different finishes do not bond well to one another.

[JimB]

You didn't say if you were working on the wood or the glass but generally you would need to finish the area.Water getting into the wood of a bow is never a good thing and can lead to delamination if it gets bad enough.

Steel wool would never be my pick as it follows existing contours like the divet you try to remove.It also picks finish out of pores whereas sandpaper goes across the top and if used right,maintains a more even surface.

I use wet or dry sandpaper either with a firm,felt block or I fold the paper so it is more stiff and sand that way.I usually sand with it dry.

Bowdoc has a huge,long thread in the Trad History,Collecting forum that covers every angle of refinishing and repairing bows.it is also a good place to ask refinishing questions.