How to Properly Wax Our Bow Strings

Key Takeaways

• Waxing your bow string extends its lifespan and keeps it performing properly.

• Your bow string should always feel slightly tacky.

• Wax your bow string whenever it’s fuzzy, dry, or brittle.

Waxing your bowstring must be done for all types of bows, including the four main ones: compound bows, crossbows, traditional bows, and longbows. 

Waxing the string extends the life by adding an extra layer of protection to help avoid water damage, fraying, drying, and flexibility issues. Applying wax to bow strings is a fairly simple task, and it can be done in just a few minutes. 

Read on to better understand the steps you must take to wax your bow string.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I wax my bow string?

The timing of when you should wax your string depends on a plethora of factors. These include humidity, use, cleanliness, and so on. 

There really is no perfect timeline to know when you should wax your string, but as a general rule, the bow string should always have a tacky feel. If you notice fuzziness, dryness, or brittleness during a bow string inspection, it needs to be waxed. 

Light fuzzing is normal, but eventually, your string will have little hair-like pieces sticking up from the strands of the string. When this occurs, it’s time to replace the string immediately. 

Learn more here:How Often Should I Wax My Bow String?

Why should I wax my bow string?

If you don’t wax your bow string regularly, its performance will suffer and its lifespan will shorten. Don’t overlook preventive maintenance as a crucial part of being an archer.

Learn more here:Why Wax a Bow String?

How to Wax a Bow String

Step 1: Clean the String

Use a clean, dry cloth or soft brush to make sure your string is free of any dirt or debris.

Step 2: Apply the Wax

Apply wax to the entire bowstring. Most string wax comes in a stick like deodorant. Just rub the stick up and down the string to apply wax.

Step 3: Work the Wax Into the String

Rub the bow wax into the string with your finger and thumb. You want to pinch the string with a decently strong grip and quickly rub up and down the string. The friction created from rubbing the string will cause the wax to melt and ensure every crevice is filled with wax. 

Note: DO NOT APPLY WAX TO THE SERVING.

Step 4: Wipe Away Excess Wax

Use a dry cloth to wipe away any extra wax. Be sure to check the entirety of the string and the arrow serving points.

You’ve just successfully waxed your bow string! This should be done on a fairly regular basis, especially if your bow is getting a lot of regular use.

Replace Your Worn Bow String 

Regular waxing will increase the lifespan of your bow string material, but bow strings should still be replaced at least every two years. Shop our compound bow strings, crossbow strings, and recurve bow strings now.