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Removing the varnish from the back of the stave

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KamloopsPrairieBoy:
Greetings folks.  I am new to Primitive Archer and have seen different suggestions for how to remove the varnish from the back of a bow stave.  I have a hickory stave with an uneven surface so am reluctant to scrape or even use a light sandpaper.  On the other hand - I worry about using a chemical varnish remover for fear of damaging the character of the wood.  I will look forward to your suggestions. Thanks

Pat B:
No good suggestion but that's why I like shellac to seal bow wood.

KamloopsPrairieBoy:
Thanks Pat B.  I used the term "varnish" in my question - it may well be shellac.  Please let me ask the same question for shellac - what are the best suggestions?

DC:
Alcohol usually takes off shellac but sometimes I've had to resort to lacquer thinner and (sometimes) a Scotchbrite pad. It doesn't seem to harm the wood. It may lighten it a touch but the final finish fixes that up.

Pat B:
Shellac is carried by alcohol. It is impervious to some other solvents and water. A good wipe down with denatured alcohol should remove it but you may have to use an abrasive pad like DC suggested. The shellac should dissolve off the wood into the alcohol on the rag.

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