Cracks in Clear Coat on Limbs

[LoneRanger]

Hello all. I have a "new" '59 Kodiak, manufactured in 2015 that I have been shooting for the past few years. I've noticed recently that there are what appears to be cracks in the finish in the fadeout area of the limbs, both top and bottom (see attached pic). The bow seems to shoot just fine, really just a visual defect best I can tell. The bow is 45#@28" and I draw right at 28". I'm just curious if anyone else has seen this sort of thing before, and if it should be cause for concern?

[deerfly]

I would contact Bear, those lines look a bit too symmetrical and parallel from each other to me. I wouldn't expect finish to fail so perfectly. Might be some kind of stress issue with the glass below.

[Orion]

Just in the finish, IMO.  I've seen that kind of finish cracking on a lot of older bows.  Thought that newer finishes were a bit more flexible.  If it bothers you, it might be worth bringing to Bear's attention.  They may refinish it for you. Or not. 

[Bigjackfish]

I have a 64in Grayling Green Super Kodiak made in 2012 that has lines like yours it is in the finish and is inherent in Bear bows .

[kennym]

I think Bear would want to know about it whether you want it fixed or not...

[McDave]

It’s not uncommon for the finish to crack on old bows, but 3 years is not old and the finish should not have cracked, as long the bow has been kept at reasonable temperatures.

[LoneRanger]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I'll let Bear have a look for themselves here at Kalamazoo in a couple weeks.

[kenneth butler]

It seems like way too many Bears do that. All of my older Bears did  but none of the other brands. I hoped they had got it figured out. >>>----> Ken

[Hud]

Since it is winter, I am reminded of a Super Kodiak that developed cracks in the finish when I took it out from a warm tent on a cold day and strung it before it cooled. I have a picture of Fred Bear looking out from his tent at the snowfall, his 59 Kodiak strung and leaning against the tent.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

It's called crazing I think. Very common with old bear bows, it seems to me like they have the replicas more close to the originals than they thought.

[LoneRanger]

I just wanted to share an update on this as I showed my bow to the folks from Bear at Kalamazoo this past weekend. The punchline - Bear will stand behind their product. They confirmed that what I'm seeing are cracks in the finish only, and not detrimental to performance or durability. They said what others on this forum have mentioned, that many older models had this same thing happen. They do still see an occasional bow or two that they make nowadays do the same thing, and are not entirely sure why that is, though they mentioned variation in finish coating thickness or humidity level as possible contributors. All that said they will gladly take the bow back and refinish it at no charge, and any bow they've done this to in the past has not had it happen again.

So there you have it - excellent customer service as others have mentioned and a company that stands behind their product. I will, however, finish my winter league with the bow before it goes back to Bear :-D.

[Krex1010]

My 1970 super K has those same lines...not sure when they appeared, they were there when I bought it a few years ago. The bow still shoots fine.

[Trenton G.]

My abbott longbow has lines like that all up and down it. Scared the heck out of me the first time I saw it.

[wapitishooter]

I have a bow made by custom bowyer where lines run up the limbs at fades. Doesn't seem to affect it at all and they haven't got any bigger. Is there any way to fix them. Like trying to lightly sand them and respray with spar urethane would that last?

[supernaut]

Really good to here they are standing behind their product. Thanks for the update sir!

[Bigriver]

As you found out, it is a finish problem. I have finished well over 100 bows, and have had that happen once in a while. It usually happens on recurves, right around the point where the limbs flex the most (normally on the back).

 It is caused by by a few things, either the finish is over catalyzed and becomes more brittle than it should, the finish is too thick, or the limbs are too polished and the finish is not adhering. Seeing the Bear bows, I think it is too heavy. Finish thickness is really critical with new coatings.

The good thing is it is easily repairable, glad they are standing behind it. Bear has certainly had problems with finishes, hope they get it worked out.

[Matt.76]

I just bought a 2021 59 kodiak, my first ever trad bow! I’ve had it for two days shooting the string in and yesterday noticed these very cracks in the clear coat that you have posted about Lone Ranger. To say that I was horrified would be an understatement, instead of purchasing cheap I thought I’d invest in a 5 year relationship with a quality bow. It doesn’t look like paying more results in quality I’m afraid.

I reside in Australia and my dilemma is that as soon as I report the issue no doubt the bow will be required to be sent back resulting in a 3-6 months turnaround with the bow. Your post has provided some comfort that it is an identified issue that hopefully will not deteriorate and affect the bows operation or performance.

Since this post was first made and the repair was carried out I’m wondering if the issue displayed itself again?

[Matt.76]

As you found out, it is a finish problem. I have finished well over 100 bows, and have had that happen once in a while. It usually happens on recurves, right around the point where the limbs flex the most (normally on the back).

 It is caused by by a few things, either the finish is over catalyzed and becomes more brittle than it should, the finish is too thick, or the limbs are too polished and the finish is not adhering. Seeing the Bear bows, I think it is too heavy. Finish thickness is really critical with new coatings.

The good thing is it is easily repairable, glad they are standing behind it. Bear has certainly had problems with finishes, hope they get it worked out.

If left untreated is the issue likely to result in any failure to the finish or limbs?

[kenneth butler]

 wapitishooter  I agree with every one here on the crazing in the finish, how ever in my
refinishing experience vertical cracks are usually in the glass.  I hope that is not the case for you but get it checked out.  Many bows with those cracks do continue to be shot without any harm. If it is in the glass they go clear through & refinishing won't help.   Ken

[Bow man]

Common Bear problem caused by them using a subpar bow finish. This is happening on a lot of newer bear bows as well as older ones