I'm using contact cement to adhere leather to the shelf and arrow plate of an old Bear Polar (wood)longbow. How do you remove from the bow the excess glue that has been applied beyond the edges of the leather you are applying?

Do you use masking tape to outline the shape of the leather, apply the glue, then just remove the tape before (or after?) applying the leather piece for the permanent bond? Will something like mineral spirits remove the dried glue on the wood that's beyond the piece of leather?

Let me know your tricks and tips. Thanks to all of you who send me your help. Shoot 'em straight and safe.

WMM

Finger nail can work but it is tedious. I apply the contact cement to the leather only, press in place, and wipe off the excess while it is still wet. I then give it a couple of hours to dry. Not per the cement instructions but it has worked for me on numerous bows. Chuck S

Dried contact cement will just roll off the wood with a little thumb pressure.

Bob

I use Bob's method and also use an eraser on a pencil to gently rub off contact cement. especially right against the shelf material. Also do not put it on to heavy, just a light coat on the wood and material is all you need. I take a pencil and lightly go around the shelf material when it is sitting in position on the bow, I do not put any adhesive outside that line, I put the material on while it still gunny and slide it around to position it right over the pencil mark and any sign of the fine pencil line is generally rubbed off during cleanup with the pencil eraser.

What aromkr said. Easy peasy.

After you roll the old glue off naptha will clean things up for you without harming the finish.

I have a spray can of contact cement remover. Just spray enough on a bit of cloth to soak it and wipe the cement off. (Maybe that's not traditional???)

Thank you for responding.

Happy Holidays !!!!!

WMM

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