Waxing Bow String

[chucker34]

I am a newbie bowhunter. I used my bow just a little bit last year and really picked up practicing this year (couple of dozen arrows, 5-6 nights a week for the past month and a half) for my first bow season. I just read that I should be waxing my bowstring, which I have never done. I bought some bow wax and will begin doing so tonight. But my question is, if the string looks and has been performing okay, I think I should be safe, right? I'm not looking to as the proshop this right away because I'm afraid they'll suggest changing it right before season. And I've only really started using it heavily these past few months.

[half2fish]

im glad you brought this up. i guess i never thought about asking this question. i need to know the same thing. i have the wax just dont know how to wax the stiring.

[Froggy4371]

Makes sense to me I have never done it either. The one shop I asked told me to just change it if it looks bad cause the string will not do anything by adding wax unless you have a pro do it.

[irvingdog]

NONSENSE!! Waxing string is a great thing to do! Apply liberally and rub in with your fingers. The heat from the friction will thin the wax and allow it to penetrate.

[Captain B.R.K]

It doesn't hurt to wax your string every other time and so forth. It doesn't hurt to start now because once that string starts to fray, then you know you are past the point of trying to save it.

Waxing your bow string will prolong the life of the string considerably.

[Guest]

I wax my string about 4-5 times a year,3 during the season and during the winter a couple times.I dont know if you need to do it that often,but on my Mathews they want the string changed every two years is what they told me.I took it in this summer after 5 years and they said the string didnt look to bad.I then had them change the string and cables.I always check my cam timing to make sure the string has not stretched to much.Thats just what I do and it has worked many years for me.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Depending on how much I shoot, I try and wax avout every other week...

[lunker651]

Waxing your bow string is good. Waxing it 2- 3 times a year is good, depending on how much you shoot your bow, but if you see the string starting to fuzz up, you'll need to wax it every time the fuzz comes back. Waxing your string is to make it slick and have minimal wear. It also keeps your string from stretching too much and keeping it in top shape.

Waxing your string is very easy to do. just apply some wax to your string and rub it in , do it until you the waxes dissapear into your string and leave a little layer, but not too much. I've been waxing my bow every now and then and haven't change my sting in 5 years, even though the manual says change it every 2 years. The string will last longer than what they say, that's for sure.

[TheWalleyeSlayer]

I wax usually after every 50-100 arrows. Great preventative medicine. Also another tip, is use a piece of leather, from an old glove or something, cut into a strip approx. 1"x2". Use this to rub the wax in, you get more friction this way, this will heat up the wax and allowing the wax to penetrate the string better and will prevent fraying. In my opinion any dealer saying to just replace every 2 years is trying to gouge his customers. Every string will wear differently depending on how often it is shot and how well it is cared for. As long as your bow is timed and the string not frayed you are good to go.

[Ben1022]

It's like any other maintenence item...do it a few times a year depending one the type of material the string is made out of. Some go thru the wax faster and appear fuzzier than others, quicker and some only have to be waxed every now and then.

Avoid keeping the bow in your vehicle, even when it's cooler because the heat in the vehicle will heat up the string, stretch to some degree and change point of impact to some degree.

On the other hand, I've neglected the "stuff" out of my strings and waxed but once a year and used the same string for over 3 years. I abhor changing strings unless necessary so some wax a few times a year will save you money and most likely the material in your string is made to last a long time.

I have a piece of leather about 1" square and apply some wax on the string and rub w/the leather folded over. The heat melts the wax quickly and absorbs nicely. That'll keep the string saturated and help it last a long time.

Careful not to wax too often if you're a target/3-D Shooter. It WILL change impact point by a little if you add a bunch to the string.

[chucker34]

Thanks guys. I bought some on Friday afternoon and started waxing it today. I'll do it regularly from now on. Gave it a good lookover and looks pretty solid without any fuzz. Someone told me too that since I am right handed, if I start noticing that my arrows are flying high right then it is probably a sign the string will need to be replaced sometime soon. He explained how it had something to do with the breakdown of the strands but not sure I can repeat it correctly.