Cleaning Off Your Shaft!

[FireUK999]

When replacing your fletching's, what is the best method of removing the old sticky stuff (glue) from your shaft?

[chris]

i only use wooden arrows so this might not be for you ,but i use a knife and then some light sand paper

chris

[FireUK999]

carbon! thanks anyway.

[Wrexham Exile]

tried nail varnish remover?

oh and where near chesyer are you?

im from wrexham

was born in chester though

[FireUK999]

Little Sutton, Work @ Deeside. and a couple of years in Wxm!

[FireUK999]

Oh, and yes, tried that. Resorted to micro razor blade work. took ages.

[wingate_52]

Scalpel and the adhesive flakes off leaving a clean shaft.

[wingate_52]

I have seen stanley type blades with a semi circular recess that glides and guides in catalogues.

[Max]

Buy a purpose made fletching stripper. The curved blade and blade angle will prevent damage to the shaft (especially carbon). Don't be tempted to use a flat blade (like a Stanley knife) as it will probably get under the carbon layer and ruin the shaft. Run the stipper gently from point end to knock end.

You won't find any solvent capable of dissolving a hardened glue, which at the same time won't damage the shaft (aluminium excepted). Don't even think about using Acetone (nail varnish remover) on a carbon or carbon composite shaft to shift dried glue. To finish the stripping and key up the shaft, try to get hold of some 600 grit (or finer) wet and dry polishing paper. If you can't get hold of fine grit wet and dry, a courser grade (not less than 300 grit) rubbed onto itself will reduce the grit size and give you a final finish. Isopropanol (IPA) is a fairly safe solvent to degrease the shaft prior to refletching.

[Miner Willy]

I have been using one of http://www.quicksarchery.co.uk/super...hp?product=994 recently. It's call a Zip Strip, it seems to fit all sizes of arrow and is suitable for carbon, aluminium and probably wood if you were careful. You can then use whatever's suitable to remove grease/oil from the shaft.

Only problem is they're expensive... £20 !!

I would thoroughly reccomend them though, all 12 arrows stripped and cleaned in less than an hour and not one mark on them.