'66 Kodiak refinish

[C Kerley]

I tried something different on the lower limb.  I had read to use a knife to remove the finish.  I wasn't real keen on that idea, but I did try it to get off that top "gummy" layer on the lower limb.  I started out using really light pressure and then figured out what worked.  It did work, but not much less time, and only saved the constant tearing off of new sandpaper.  I made sure to keep away from the edges also.    

 

[C Kerley]

The bow limbs had some hair sized white marks in them, but Whip's suggestion worked out really well.  Some sanding following this and they just disappeared.  

 

[C Kerley]

I'm done with the removal of the finish, and am now just smoothing it up.  I went from 100 grit to 400, and will probably cut off the whiskers with 800.  

All sanded clean of the old finish...
 


That paste looking residue is from the wet sanding with 400.  
 

[C Kerley]

Those holes are still there, but not nearly as obvious.  

 

[C Kerley]

Whip pointed this out to me.  It looks like sometime in the past 44 years it took on a small injury.  I put a bow stringer on it and flexed it through it's normal range trying to open it up.  That I could see it didn't, but while it was flexed I put superglue all over it.
   

[C Kerley]

The top decal is on, although I didn't notice until I'd put finish over it that I didn't get the little "R" beside the Kodiak.  I messed up the bottom one on the first attempt.  I think I pressed down too hard as I was transferring it.  I sanded it off, put a fresh finish over the spot and will try it again when it dries.  If you'll notice, my "paint room" is pretty casual.  That is a dog lead rope with a twist-tie that fits the string groove perfectly!
 

 

[C Kerley]

Doug this is what I was telling you about on the phone.  I just use an old T-shirt sleeve, and the first 4-5 coats use just enough to make it look wet.  If you put too much on it those first coats tend to kind of streak and dry in lines.  About every 2 or 3 coats I'll sand it with 400, then 800, and give it about a dozen coats total.    
 

[The Great Jashu]

That wipe on poly does a nice job too. I have never put on a dozen coats though. Usually just 4. I envy your enthusiasm for sanding by hand. I use a d.a. sander, but am very careful with how far I go. Then sand it by hand. Looking good so far, cant wait to see it finished. Sounds like you will be able to comb you hair in the finsh when its done.

[yeager]

Looking good so far....can't wait to see the final result.  Like Kerley and Jashu,  I used Minwax wipe-on poly on a '58 Kodiak Special and a '64 Kodiak.  Works great.  I used coffee filters to apply as they tend not to leave any lint.

My "64 Kodiak:

 

[59Alaskan]

Thank you for this thread.  Great job!

[d. ward]

very nice looking work bd

[ckruse]

Coming along very nicely! CKruse

[C Kerley]

Today is hole repair day.  I've had good luck using this in the past, so I'm going with my experience on this one.  I mix common craft paint to the desired color and just put a drop on top of the hole.  I sometimes take a really, really small wire to kind of coax the paint down into the hole also.  As the first coat dries it will slowly sink in the hole too, and it will take a few coats to level off.  This is the second coat and you can see my sanding marks with 400 grit.  

As the paint on the bow dries I put that aluminum foil in the freezer.  Then when I'm ready for another coat, I just thaw it out and don't have to remix paint to the exact color again.  

Yeager I'm gonna remember that coffee filter trick, I'm about to start a '73 Super K after I'm done with this one.

 

[The Great Jashu]

That should be a real close color match.

[C Kerley]

Well, one step closer to the finished product...

 

[C Kerley]

[C Kerley]

As on the belly, those holes are still there, just not quite so obvious.  I still have to put the stabilizer thread and the coin in.  I need a drill press to open the hole on the stabilizer just a tad, and to also drill the coin hole a fraction of a millimeter deeper.  I've also bought two different gold paint pens at Michaels and Hobby Lobby, and neither have been what I needed.  I think I'm gonna have to get one of those pens you dip in the ink and write it out (caligraphy?).    

 

[C Kerley]

But the best part of being at this stage of the game....instead of looking at it in some form of construction I get to see it throw some arrows!!

 

[Whip]

Looking mighty fine Carlos!  

[Big Bird]

you did a awesome job on that bow.