Cleaning arrows

LABLEVENS · 03-06-2006, 01:28 PM

I'm going to fletch my first doz. arrow.My arrows are CHEETAN CARBON, I'm useing QUIK SPIN VANE.My ? is what do you all uses to clean your shifts and vanes ?Thanks Lynn

MathewsApex7 · 03-06-2006, 02:46 PM

Sand them with a very fine sandpaper or emery paper and wipe them off with a CLEAN PAPER TOWEL. Do not use acetone to clean them, it will leave a film on the shaft. With most vane manufacturers you do not need to clean the vanes at all. I have fletched 100's of arrows with this method and had no problems at all. Also find out what glue is reccommended for the Quick Spin vanes.

Pinky · 03-06-2006, 07:42 PM

When he says fine....I am sure he means fine. I use wet/dry sandpaper with a 400 or 600 grit.

Also, I use denatured alcohol to clean of the residue.

srcarlso · 03-06-2006, 07:45 PM

Use a razor to strip the vanes and sand lightly only enough to remove the excess glue. Wipe down with denatured alcohol and let dry.

As for glue, any of the modern fast sets work - I am using a fast set glue from lancaster archery along with accelerator to shorten dry time.

BUNNYMAN · 03-06-2006, 09:36 PM

Do Not Clean Quikspin Vanes With Anything, Just Dont Touch The Base W/your Fingers.

glenny · 03-06-2006, 10:32 PM

It is what you do clean carbons or aluminums with.
Fine sandpaper or steelwool will take the surface of the shaft down for good adhersion,but.
I use denatured alcohol or acetone to take the resin off the shaft after,usually when the glue or paint is on there so bad ya can't get it all off,it helps break it down but,ya do not need to do anything on new shafts,but soap and water for fletchings....
I am not recommending anything but soap and water here for safety issues even after using the alcohol,I know it works on all shafts.
I also advise not touching the base of the fletchings.
If ya do,just see if it adheres,if it don't you gotta strip and start all over again.
Quickspins are expensive,don't touch em.

MathewsApex7 · 03-07-2006, 09:48 AM

Soap??? What kind of soap do you use? I would think depending on the soap you would or could leave some sort of film on the shaft that would effect the how the fletch adheres to the shaft. It is no different than using Acetone or any other chemical on the arrow. In talking dirrectly with companies that produce fletching they reccommend water only and a clean paper towel to wipe them down. I would reccommend that you not take the chance on introducing any contaminants to the arrow that effects the glue.

cparcher-louer · 03-07-2006, 11:15 AM

I just wipe down the shaft with denatured alcohol. I never had a fletching pull up from normal shooting conditions, only if i shot completely through a target and even then they normally won't pull up. I never rough up my arrows, because it's easier to remove the fletching if I tear one or shoot one and tear it. Like I said I never had a problem with pulling up fletchings except through a wisker biscuit and you can cure that with armor all or blazer vanes.