If you’ve been shooting a bow for any length of time, you understand the importance of keeping its string and limbs clean. Doing so ensures your bow remains accurate and reliable, as well as lasting you for many years to come.
Maintaining your bowstring can extend its life up to three years, so it’s essential to keep it looking its best and working correctly. There are a few steps you can take to keep the string and limbs in top condition: cleaning, waxing, and storing the string when not in use.
One of the best ways to clean your bowstring is with dental floss. Wrap it around the strings and rub it along, scraping away dirt and old wax. This may take some practice, but soon enough you’ll have a sparkling bowstring!
Another popular method is to apply a cleaner onto your bowstrings and leave them on for several minutes. After that, wipe the strings clean with either terrycloth or microfiber cloth until they’re spotless.
As part of this process, inspect the bowstrings for any signs of fraying or broken strands. A broken strand can damage either your bow or yourself, so be sure to address them as soon as possible.
Before each use and after shooting, inspect the bowstring to make sure there are no signs of damage. This includes checking the nocking point to make sure it remains intact, and inspecting any strings where pulleys or cables may be attached.
Once the bowstring has been cleaned, you can apply polymeric bowstring wax to maintain its condition. The wax will prevent the strands of the string from fuzzing or tearing, which could affect your shot’s accuracy.
Some archers suggest rubbing the bowstring with a piece of leather, but this can cause harm to its strands. A safer option is applying wax with a serving thread.
Bowstring wax comes in many varieties, some made of natural ingredients while others are synthetically manufactured. Many archers prefer using waxes specifically formulated for archery purposes.
If your bowstring needs extra TLC, polymeric bowstring wax can help. This formula contains ingredients designed to extend the life of your string and ensure your arrows fly true even in cold temperatures.
Archers love this product, which can be found from many retailers. It’s especially suitable for younger archers who need to protect their bowstrings from harsh conditions.
Maintaining the bowstring and limbs can be a simple task, but it may prove challenging if you aren’t familiar with its components – especially compound bows.
In addition to the limbs, you should also inspect the riser and cams for any signs of rust or other damage. Moistening Q-tips with moisture will help you wipe down these areas.
