Hello all,
This is my first post and I`m new to traditional archery, so if I sound like I don`t know what I`m talking about, it`s because I don`t. Here goes.
I got ahold of an old recurve from a guy I work with and I need to refinish it. I figure I could use Tru-Oil or something like that on the wood, but I`m not sure what to do about the fiberglass on the limbs. I`m kind of concerned over putting something on it and it cracking with the bending of the limbs. Do I just buff the fiberglass or is there something that can be put on it ?
               Thanks ,
                Ozarknapper

Kevin, you have come to the right place to learn about trad bows!! I refinished an old Bear Kodiac Magnum a while back. Lightly sanded what was left of the old finish off. Went with 220 grit then 320. Be careful not to go deeper then the old finish or you could change the bow tiller,draw weight, or cause a limb to twist. I made sure I didnt sand through and mess up the logo and bow specs on the bow. Finished it with spray on polyurethane by minwax. The bow has held up very nicely and cost very little to do this. Stick around and check your post some others will be along and give you some different ideas!!

My mom,dad are from Mt. Grove, My grandpa is the preacher at The Norwood United Methodist Church. He also taught building trades at Mt Grove high school. His name is Ura Hardin, maybe you heard of him. Anyway, welcome to the Tradgang- Greg

I just sprayed laquer based finish on my r/d longbow, dries very quick. The brand i use is M.L campbell's MagnaMax i'ts a tough laquer but not an overly hard laquer, so it whon't crack easy.
Its been two weeks now i have had my bow in and out of my van, it has tollerated -40C to plus 24C. strung and unstrung no cracks, (Will deff. post if anything happends).
i think the reason why so many use polyurethane finish is b/c it can be bought anywhere, a good selection of laquer is harder to find unless you know of industrial suppliers.
I think Martin uses Laquer (think)
just some of my experience, hope it will be of some help.

Tru-Oil will work fine on the fiberglass.Use about 6 or 8 coats and let dry real good and 0000 steel wool between coats. If you have a heat box, hang the bow in it at about 100 degrees F. to speed up the drying.Tru-oil isn't as tough as some of the epoxy finishes but it is very easy to repair if dinged. Just steel wool the damaged part and recoat. I wax with furniture polish after the last coat of oil.If you want it dull for hunting just wax and don't buff it till your done hunting. Good luck!! Bob

I too use M.L. Campbell's magnamax lacquer on all my bows and have never had a problem.

Helmsman's Spar urethane works well too.  Chad