I have a 57 kodiak special and would like it refinished. It is perfect except bubbles in the finish. Just would like to see who you guys had them done buy and some pics. TY John

I have a few before and after pictures on my website at this link.
http://www.prairietrad.com/page30.html

I redid a Ben Pearson Colt that was pretty "tired" with satin MinWax Spar Urethane that I thinned by 20% and brushed on.  Rounded the riser with a rasp while I was at it.  I took off the old finish with 220, followed by 400 and finally 600 grit on the riser except over the writing area (which I tried to blend/feather in).  Then I wiped between every second coat with 0000 steel wool.  Came put pretty good, though I did have a time getting a dripless finish.  Last two coats (of eight) were thinned 30% or so.  I wiped two thin coats of boiled linseed oil on the limbs more as a touch-up using just hand rubbing and then buffed it up with a cloth when dry.  Came out nice.

   

   

   

   

   

   

Stumpkiller,that came out real nice.great job!

Very nice job stumpkiller wish you had a before pic. Whip how long have you been refinishing.

Whip has a solid reputation here and all good.

Stumpkiller:  

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
I have a few before and after pictures on my website at this link.
 http://www.prairietrad.com/page30.html  

WOW. Those look amazing. What's the average cost that goes into doing that?

JP, I talked with Whip and his wife at Denton hill.I also saw some of his work firsthand.You can't go wrong if you send your bow to him.Great people.

Stumpkiller, that looks very nice!  Good job!    

Jeeps, I had done some for myself previously, but I've been doing it as a business for a little over a year now.

Refinishing is not exactly rocket science.  It does take an investment of time to sand the bow down well, and then it is a matter of what finish you will be happy with.  Some people like to do their own, others don't.

I've seen some very nice looking results from a rattle can, or from wipe on finishes like TruOil.  They might not be quite as durable in the long run than a high quality spray, but they can be redone anytime.  

One caution I would have for spraying some finishes is not to apply too many coats.  It might look good at first, but may not tolerate the flexing in the limbs that bows are subjected to if too many coats are used or if the coats are applied too thickly.

Pergradus, the website link also includes the pricing of refinishing.  That will take care of most bows unless extra work is needed such as replacing tips or overlays, decals on the old Bears, etc.