want 2 refinish a tigercat

[gsdmikko]

hi all, a friend gave me an old bear tigercat and it definitly needs to be refinished..was wondering "HOW-TO" strip then refinish,,and what to use to strip it with..has beautiful wood and dont want to mess it up..thanx for any info..jamie

[bjansen]

I would recommend the following:

1.  Tape off any areas you would like to save (i.e. decals..or serial #'s, etc).  
2.  Sand the old finish off with 120 grit, then follow up with 220 grit (even lightly over the areas you taped off to fade the edges into the newly sanded surface.
3.  Get a little bottle of Tru-oil and apply the first couple coats on the wood (working it into the open pores and sanding with light grit sand paper or 0000 steel wool between coats).
4.  Once the pores are filled, coat the bow with tru-oil, sanding lightly with 0000 steel wool in between coats.  Do about 5 light coats.  
5.  If you prefer less sheen, you can then take some Satin Helmans Urethane (green can)and put a light coat overtop the tru-oil.  
6.  Post some pics!

[gsdmikko]

thanx very much..Will give it a try

[2treks]

I just did one for a customer and will try to post pics later today. Good luck with your tigercat. they look nice when finished.
Chuck

[Jason Scott]

I would just light sand and wipe it down with acetone then spray several coats of the satin spar urathane and that's it. No sanding between coats. Wait an hour between thin coats.