VMP Wire-Coating (Sleeve) Replacement — Step-by-Step

This guide shows how to replace the clear heat-shrink sleeves on the Vane Master Pro (VMP) clamp wires.

What you’ll need

• Replacement wire coatings (heat-shrink sleeves)

• Allen wrench (for the two disc screws)

• Sharp hobby knife/razor

• Preferred: Heat gun or hair dryer
  If using a lighter: keep the flame off the sleeve; use only the hot air above the flame

• Optional: small scissors, microfiber cloth

Before you start

• Take a quick photo of the assembly so you can match wire orientation during reassembly.

• Length matters: New sleeves must be the same length or slightly shorter than the originals. If they’re too long, they’ll “jam” against the discs and won’t fit back in the arm.

1) Remove the wire assembly

1. Loosen and remove the screw on one disc; set screw aside.

2. Loosen and remove the screw on the opposite disc.

3. Slide both discs out of the arm and remove the wire pair.

Tip: The wire ends sit inside the discs. Keep track of how they were inserted.

2) Measure and prep the new sleeves

1. Lay a new sleeve beside the old sleeve on the wire to match length.

2. Trim the new sleeve to be equal or a hair shorter than the old. Repeat for the second sleeve.

3) Remove the old sleeves (don’t damage the colored tips)

1. Place a fingertip over the colored end marker on the wire to protect it.

2. Lightly score the old sleeve lengthwise with the knife (don’t cut the wire).

3. Peel the sleeve off. Remove any remaining ring at the end with your fingernail—do not scrape the color off.

4) Reinsert wires into the first disc

1. Slide both bare wires back into one disc (like before).

2. Keep the original orientation (match your photo). Jonathan’s demo shows red = left, black = right relative to the user, but go by your photo if unsure.

5) Install and shrink the new sleeves

1. Slide each new sleeve onto its wire until it stops just short of the disc edge (don’t let sleeve enter the disc).

2. Apply heat evenly along each sleeve until it fully conforms—pay extra attention near the disc.

   • Heat gun/hair dryer: best choice.

   • Lighter: use hot air above the flame; never touch flame to sleeve.

3. Let cool a few seconds.

6) Add the second disc

1. Insert wire ends into the second disc, matching the same left/right orientation.

2. Make sure both sleeves aren’t pinched in the disc and the discs sit flat.

7) Reinstall to the arm

1. Place the disc/wire/disc “sandwich” back into the arm.

2. Start each screw by hand to avoid cross-threading, then snug with the Allen wrench. Do not over-tighten.

Final checks

• Discs seat fully in the arm and the assembly moves/adjusts normally.

• Sleeves are smooth (no bubbles or fat spots) and not contacting the disc faces.

• Clamp a vane (dry fit) to confirm wires close flush with even contact.

Troubleshooting

• Won’t fit back into the arm / discs won’t seat: Sleeves are too long or bulged → remove, trim 1–2 mm, re-shrink evenly.

• Sleeve scorched or wrinkled: Too much heat or direct flame → replace sleeve; use gentler, moving heat.

• Vanes don’t sit flat: Re-adjust wire discs in the jig for full-length quill/vane contact; lock the disc set screws lightly.

• Lost orientation: Use your reference photo; otherwise set red/black to match the opposite arm, or test-fit to ensure correct helical presentation.

Care tip

After fletching, wipe sleeves with a microfiber cloth to remove fresh glue. This prevents buildup and extends sleeve life.