Wax and condition your string and cables. If you do not have a TenPoint, Horton or Wicked Ridge crossbow, consult your manufacturer’s specific instructions for maintaining your trigger mechanism. Use a cotton swab to wipe away any excess oil from the parts you have oiled in the trigger box or on the cams. To lubricate the axles and cam bearings, apply one drop of oil to the top of each cam where the axle and bearings pass through. Again, with the safety knob in the “Safe” position, apply one drop of oil to the string latch through the string slot in the trigger box and cycle the safety knob forward and backward to ensure coverage. Cycle the safety mechanism forward and backward multiple times to ensure that the oil spreads evenly over the internal parts that contact the safety slide. Apply one drop of oil to both sides of the safety slide through the safety knob window in the trigger box. To oil the trigger mechanism on a TenPoint, Wicked Ridge or Horton by TenPoint-manufactured crossbow, slide the safety knob to the rear white “Safe” position. Apply oil to the trigger mechanism, axles and cam bearings. Applying the oil first to the head of a cotton swab and then using the swab to apply it to the bolts also helps to ensure that you get complete surface area coverage and that there is no excess oil to run or drip onto other parts of the crossbow.Īpply rust protective oil to all exposed screws, nuts, bolts and steel parts. Some oils can also cause premature wear on the string or cable end-loops due to deterioration from the oil. Again, some types of rust-protective oil contain chemicals that can react with the hydro-dipped camouflage and cause it to peel or flake. Many crossbow owners use cotton swabs to apply the oil to the bolt heads and other parts because it allows you to be very precise and careful when applying. Applying oil to these parts prior to storage is essential. When the crossbow is exposed to damp conditions or if it is stored in a damp location, rust can begin to appear on the steel parts within 24 hours of being exposed. It is amazing how fast these parts can rust – anyone who has left their crossbow outside overnight when it is damp can attest to this fact. Most of these are made from steel, which will rust if not oiled periodically. Your crossbow has many nuts, bolts and screws that hold it together. Apply rust-protective oil to all exposed nuts, bolts, screws and steel parts. Performing a final check before storing your crossbow will ensure that all parts are tight and secure, and that your crossbow will be ready to go when you take it out in the spring or summer for practice sessions. Periodically checking to make sure that everything is tight on the crossbow is a good maintenance habit to develop throughout the season. This energy wave causes the crossbow’s parts to vibrate, which can lead to loosening of the nuts, bolts and screws over time. Check all nuts, bolts and screws for tightness.Ī great deal of energy travels through your crossbow during every shot. Use only purified water and a cotton towel to clean dirt and dust from the surfaces of the crossbow. After you have wiped the surfaces clean, you can use a hair dryer or set the crossbow in front of a fan to dry out the parts completely. If you do not have a cotton towel, you can substitute it with cotton balls or cotton swabs. Wring out the towel prior to wiping, as you do not want excess water to drip onto any of the steel parts. Using water only is critical because cleaning agents or solvents may react with the hydro-dipped camouflage coating on the stock or limbs and cause it to flake or peel – something that is not covered under the warranty in most cases. A cotton towel is best because the cotton is nonabrasive and will not scratch any of the crossbow’s parts. To clean the surfaces on the crossbow, you should use a cotton towel and purified water only. If you were hunting when it was damp outside, you will likely have some dried mud on the foot stirrup, riser or even the underside of the stock and flight rail. Wipe surface dirt and grime from the crossbow.Ĭheck over your crossbow to determine if you need to remove any surface dirt, dust or grime. Remember, before you store your crossbow away for the winter, there are some things to take care of so that it will be ready to go n ext season.Here are 10 maintenance tips that you should follow to prep your crossbow for off-season storage: 1. Hopefully, you had a successful harvest with your crossbow this past season. Archery deer hunting seasons in most states are now closed or finishing up soon.

Tenpoint crossbow string wax