I have some old Bear Greenheads I'd like to refinish. I was going to glass bead them clean and then dip them in some green paint and let them dry. Do any of you guys have some better ideas about how to clean these things up. I hate having such a famous BH looking like crap on the end of my arrow.

I would think that Zip Strip would work also.  I don't know what glass beading would do to the edge of them?  As far as re-painting I would use spray paint and put it on will spinning the broadhead.  If you dip them the paint will be to thick and probably plug up the bleeder slots also.  Joseph

+1 for the zip strip and spray paint. There's pretty wide selection of SP colors available now but, don't know how close you'll be able to get to the original yellow/green.

Ron

I don't know, Dozer.  Like most antiques, I like the patina and character that age gives them.

I'm with Fletcher. Being an antique I know about patina.  
Jack

I think you could send them to Ky and not let them worry you anymore.
Good luck !

Interesting.

I use to work at a custom Rifle shop.

I ran a couple doz bear and zwickeys through the glass beader and them stuck them in the bluing tank.

They were already sharp so it didn't take hardly any time on the file to get a good edge back.


I thought they were pretty cool looking. Especially on a matched set of arrows.


I couldn't recommend it for any practical reason.

I have glass blasted old heads before with no ill effects. It is a great process for removing the old paint and/or glue.
Never done any Bear heads, but have done Ribteks, Magnus, Ace, and Zwickey. Brings them "back to life", so to speak.
I agree that spray paint is the way to go when repainting them. A good hot blue would look way cool as well.

BP

What is this "Zip Strip" you guys mentioned. After I wrote this I got to thinking about it and decided to go with spray paint as well. The original color looks like its just standard issue OD Green but I may go with red to match the front crown I'm thinking of doing on my POC's. Thanks for your help fellas.

Hi temp engine enamel works great to repaint with.  Comes in many colors and resists burn off when using hot melt.

Come on man, this isn't a fashion show...sharpen them up ans shoot 'um...

To each his own...good luck!

Clean them up with steel wool and solvent and shoot Them why frig with paint put a little vasaline on for rust prevention ,,   :confused:

C'mon Curt...Critters may be offended if ya shoot em with an "ugly" broadhead! Gotta please the masses, ya know? lol

Just funnin' with ya Dozer. Good luck, let us know what all you do to them, and post pics!

What Guru said. They'll look better with bood on'em. Heck, they look as good as mine; I have been shooting these for forty years, lol.  Grant

As old collectible broadheads, they will be worth more in orginal condition, even if they are marked up and oxidized with age.

I have a bunch myself and would not think of refinishing them.

Better of left alone.

You may want to try (cad-plating) them. We use it when restoring cars, it is a liquid you dip them in while being electrically charged with a battery. It is the gold color used on master cylinder caps and disc brake backing plates. The kit is pretty cheap, you can google it and check them out..Roy

I agree with leaving them just as they are.  

Fresh red blood is the only thing that will make them look better.

Trap

Just FYI...those are 1960 Bears.

I bought a small "rock" tumbler at Harbor Fright, tumble them for a couple of days then paint.

Ron and Jack... I suspected these were older heads and that the thread starter had on clue... that's why I moved the thread here. Thanks.