Grizzly Makeover

[bctgrad]

Searching my local Craigslist about a month ago I came across an ad for a "Bear recurve" with no additional information.  I responded to the ad and after a few questions were answered discovered that it was a 49# '66 Grizzly.  The draw weight was a little light, but the seller was only about 5 miles from me and the price was right so I told him I'd take it.  The bow turned out to be a factory camo model and appeared to be in decent condition from my initial quick inspection.  When I got it home and looked closer, I almost regretted buying it.  The edges of the limbs were almost completely stripped of paint and looked like they had been drug behind a truck.  Some of what I thought were scratches started to look more like cracks.  I decided that if I wanted to shoot this bow I was going to have to get the paint off and make sure that everything was ok underneath.  

I started with LT420 on the limb edges and all of the possible cracks.  After it set up I began stripping the paint with acetone and scotch brite pads and finished up with sandpaper.  After everything was stripped and sanded I was shocked to see that all of the scratches actually were scratches and there wasn't even a single stress crack under the paint.

I ordered a new set of decals from Al Hartford and started applying the wipe-on poly.

This was my third attempt at refinishing a bow (first Bear) and second try at applying decals (first time didn't go so well).  Big thanks to Al for the great decals and detailed application instructions.  Also thanks to bowdoc for all the "how-to" posts – especially the coin removal thread.

Made a new string and got her strung up but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet – hopefully this weekend!

Sorry for the poor quality pics.  My wife & daughter are the photographers in the house, I should have had one of them take the pictures.

Before:
 

 

After:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for letting me share,
Brian

[4runr]

Beautiful!

Well done Brian!

[mwmwmb]

nice job. good looking bow.

[Jon Stewart]

Beautiful looking bow.  what wipe-on poly did you use for the finish and how many coats?

[bctgrad]

I used Minwax Wipe-On poly (gloss) and stopped at 6 coats.  This was the first time that I've used the wipe-on stuff and found out that it really runs if you put it on too heavy.  I had to sand off several runs in the riser and re-apply.  I guess you need to keep the coats pretty thin and watch the edges for drips.

[d. ward]

looks better then new outstanding work.bd

[highlife]

I've never liked factory camo paint .... natural wood in my opinion is the best camo of all.

Great job.

[Bjorn]

[OldSkoolArcher]

I have a factory camo grizz on the way, depending on the condition of the camo I might follow suit.

[Hoof]

Sweet Brian! lots of pretty grain hidden away there...Great Job!

[Al H]

Beautiful bow there Brian.  She really looks sweet.  Love the natural wood.  

[yellow bow]

[bowhunterfrompast]

Brian...you turned that beast into a beauty  

[KENDALL TECHAU]

Really nice work Brian !!