Why Wax a Bow String? & How Often? | A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• Waxing your bow string prevents damage from water, UV radiation, and dirt and debris.

• Waxing lubricates the string to prevent friction and improve overall performance.

• Frequent shooters should wax at least every 2-4 weeks or whenever the string is dry, dull, or fuzzy.

How often should you wax your bow string? Is waxing really necessary? What type of wax can I use? We get a lot of questions about waxing, so we decided to put together a complete guide.

First of all, yes, you do need to wax! Waxing your bow string is an essential part of bow maintenance, and knowing how to do so properly is critical. This applies to all types of bows, including compounds, crossbows, recurves, and longbows. Fortunately, waxing is very simple to do and only takes a couple of minutes. Here’s everything you need to know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s start by providing quick answers to your questions.

What happens if you don't wax your bow string?

Why wax a bow string? Waxing a bow string will extend its life by keeping it from becoming frayed or damaged by dirt, water, or UV rays. It will also help to keep the strands flexible and prevent them from becoming dried out. We’ll cover the benefits in depth below.

Can I use vaseline as bow string wax?

No, vaseline attracts dirt and debris and contains solvents that could damage your string.

Is beeswax good for bow strings?

Pure beeswax can be used in a pinch, but it can be difficult to work with. Many archery-specific waxes use beeswax as a base, but also contain other ingredients that help with application and penetration.

How to tell if a bow string is bad?

Why wax a bow string if it’s going to break soon? Wax isn’t for fixing strings that are already on their way out. It’s for preventive maintenance. 

Follow our bow string inspection guide, and if your string is bad, replace it. Waxing won’t restore a string that needs to be replaced.

How often should you wax your bow string?

Wax when the string looks fuzzy, dull, or dry. How often will depend on how much you shoot your bow and the age of your bow string. In general, the more you shoot and the older your bow string is, the more you’ll need to keep it waxed. Frequent shooters should wax every 2-4 weeks or so.

The Benefits of Regular Waxing

Protection From the Elements

Even the toughest strings can get damaged by water, UV radiation, and dirt, especially with long-term exposure. 

• Moisture can weaken the string’s fibers, causing the string to stretch unevenly and break prematurely. It can also lead to mildew growth.

• UV rays from the sun can cause the string’s fibers to degrade rapidly, making them dry, brittle, and weak.

• Dirt and debris get lodged between the string’s fibers. The resulting abrasion is like applying sandpaper to the string with every shot. Dirt and debris can also cause serving separation.

Improved Performance

Why wax a bow string to boost your bow’s performance? The wax acts as a lubricant that prevents friction, fraying, and dryness. This allows the string to flex and bend evenly and naturally. Furthermore, fuzzy strings can cause the arrow’s nock to fit improperly, leading to inaccurate shots.

Structural Integrity

Bow strings are composed of many individual fibers. Wax acts as a binding agent, preventing them from unraveling and fuzzing.

The Waxing Process

How often should you wax your bow string? When in doubt, apply wax! While too much wax can attract dirt and debris, simply removing excess wax with a cloth or paper towel will solve that problem. 

Why wax a bow string regularly? While you don’t need to wax before every session, it’s easy to forget when you last waxed. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Here’s how to wax properly:

1. Apply the Wax

The first step is to make sure that your bow string is clear of any dirt or debris. Wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth. Another trick is to use a scrap piece of bow string serving material. If you do a half wrap with the bow string serving and lightly pull it down the string.

Why remove wax from a bow string before reapplying? Old wax collects dirt and debris that you may not be able to see. If you apply wax on top of that dirt and debris, you’re just sealing it into the string.

Next, take your tube of bow string wax and rub it up and down on your bow string. Make sure the bow string wax is sticking far enough out of the tube that the tube itself is not in contact with your bow string. Letting the tube rub on the bow string will cause premature wear.

In addition to knowing how often you should wax your bow string, it’s important to know how much to apply. Use a good amount of wax, but not too much. Ideally, the bow string wax should cover the entire string with a thin coat. 

Why wax a bow string with a thin coat? Too much wax can attract dirt and debris and get on your hands when shooting. Only wax the exposed portion of the bow string, and make sure you don’t wax any of the bow string servings.

2. Rub the Wax In

Now that you have wax on your string, use your finger and thumb to rub the wax into the bow string. The heat and friction will cause the bow string wax to melt and make it easier for the wax to penetrate each individual strand and cover the entire string.

Why wax a bow string with your finger and thumb? Some people use a piece of leather instead of their fingers, but I’ve found that you can build up quite a bit more heat than you need with leather. Too much heat can cause premature wear, and it’s easier to control the heat when you use your fingers. Just stop if your fingers get hot, and your bow string will thank you.

3. Remove Excess Wax

Once you’re done waxing the bow string, take a cloth (you can use the one you started with) and wipe off any excess wax that might have built up. This will usually be where the bow string meets the servings.

Shop High-Quality Strings

Why wax a bow string? You’ll save money on replacements and enjoy improved performance and a better overall shooting experience. Start with individually made bow strings from 60X Custom Strings. Built by Brad Patsy, a former archery champion, you can trust us to provide top-quality strings you can shoot for ages.

Remember: how often you should wax your bow string doesn’t matter if you’re due for a replacement. Fortunately, you’re in the right place! We’ll make custom bow strings to your exact specifications, including your choice of bow string material and custom bow string colors. 

We hope this guide on why you should wax your bow string was helpful. Stay tuned for more archery articles from the experts at 60X Custom Strings, and join our newsletter to stay in the loop!