How to remove spraypaint from vintage bow?

[Ifrit617]

Hey guys,

I picked up a vintage bow for $50 shipped that has some old spray paint on the limbs and riser. What is the best way to remove this and the clear coat under it? I plan on refinishing the whole thing.

Jon

[mooshkat]

I used mineral spirits to remove camo paint off the limbs of a Howatt Hunter i recently picked up, worked good, finish you might have to sand off.

[KSdan]

Sand paper will work fine if solvents make you nervous.

[stevem]

I used steel wool with a little gasoline, and had good luck.  I suggest a solvent instead of gasoline, but the gas was working so good I just kept going.

[Ifrit617]

What do you recommend for a solvent that won't damage the fiberglass?

Jon

[Ifrit617]

What do you recommend for a solvent that won't damage the fiberglass?

Jon

[Duncan]

WD-40 and a cotton rag

[PowDuck]

Absolutely the easiest product to remove spray paint is Goof-Off Graffiti remover. I completely stripped a Griffin that had been dipped and THEN spray painted in less than 1/2 an hour.

Spray it on - use a stripper sponge to work it in - wipe off with a cotton rag.

   

It went from this (all over)

In process:
   

To this:
   

[Whip]

I would first try removing the paint with a mild solvent like mineral spirts.  The original finish underneath might just be ok once you get the paint off.  Some Paints might be really stubborn though.

If you plan on a complete refinish then sanding is the best plan.  Harsh solvents that are strong enough to eat through the finish might very well also cause problems with the glues and you could ruin the bow. Sandpaper and elbow grease are your best bets for a complete refinish.

[reddogge]

I used Minwax Furniture Refinisher on a green scotch brite pad with no ill effects. Un fortunately mineral spirits wouldn't touch it. The bow needed no sanding but I did put quite a few coats of Tru-Oil on it to brighten it up.

[Ifrit617]

Will rubbing alcohol work or it too strong? I may just end up sanding down the whole thing since I know that a complete refinish is going to be necessary.

Jon

Or I might just use the goof off.

[PowDuck]

Originally posted by Ifrit617:
will rubbing alcohol work or it too strong? I may just end up sanding down the whole thing since I know that a complete refinish is going to be necessary.

Jon

Or I might just use the goof off.

Don't sand it off! Use the Goof-Off then touch-up sand IF needed. If you sand first you might very well remove some of the writing on the bow. (I did when I test sanded a couple of areas on the Griffin then had to rewrite them before finishing.)

As for refinishing, I used MinWax wipe-on poly. Same thing I use on my arrows.

[ncheels]

Agree with Goof-Off or Goo Gone.  I've used Goo Gone from Walmart.  It has a citrus smell and it worked great when I took old camo paint off of a 60s Bear Polar.
    I didn't have to do any sanding.

[Keefer]

Guardsman makes a product called AFTA and it's a professional strength cleaner,degreaser adhesive remover...4 oz. can is about $2.50 and found by that rubber covebase and vinyl floor covering at most hardware stores...It takes glue off without harming the rubber finish on that covebase and vinyl floor.
I just cleaned up a Damon Howatt for a buddy and it didn't hurt anything...Whew was I lucky   :rolleyes:

[mahantango]

I have had very good results using 0000 steel wool saturated with WD40. Always start with the mildest solvents first and work from there.

[Ifrit617]

OK thanks guys. I guess I will go with either the goof off or wd40. Probably will try the goof off first. Thanks for the tip!

Jon

[Tajue17]

not trying to hijack but can I bump in a with a related question,,, after you guys remove finish do you then clean the whole bow with something like acetone before you spray on a new finish??

for a final finish would spray on poly be fine?

[Keefer]

If you are just looking for a easy spray on and don't really care that it isn't a professional finish there is a product called Helsman that can be used for outdoors with valspar?..I once sprayed a Black Widow take down riser and actually liked the results and it shed moisture but can turn a yellowish tint if in the sun too long on anything white such as an accent stripe in the riser...I would clean it with acetone or napha  and let air dry in the sun when about 70 degrees and No humitity in the air..Spay on several coats and steel wool between those coats and use a tack cloth and very easily wipe any residue off from the steel wool 0000 and spray again and if you want a dull finish that won't shine dull it once more with steel wool and should be o.k.
Now tackcloth has a wax to pick up debri from sanding so don't wipe hard cause it will leave a wax on bow and finish won't stick to it if wax is on the bow...Good Luck and lets seem the results if you can show when finished...  

[reddogge]

I like Tru-Oil as a finish after stripping. I didn't sand because the finish was good, just dull after stripping. Wiped on lightly, not sprayed. Then wet sanded with 1,200-1,500 wet/dry sandpaper between coats until satified.

[rwbowman]

Would any of these removal methods work on a factory painted '70s Bear Kodiak? I have one that has a camo paint scheme on it, but where the paint is chipped, I can see that there seems to be some awesome wood beneath the paint.