Recurve Restoration

This is a tedious process. Think twice before painting your bow.
At GPTBC we strive for handcrafted perfection. We have a number of in stock bows and also do custom builds.
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[@DavidHBurkart]

Love these restorations/refreshments of classic bows. Thank you for sharing them. While I guess you never say never, and I have seen some nicely done paint on bows, I am not a fan of painting bows. If I needed concealment or wanted to reduce glare in hunting situations, I might temporarily use a sparingly applied camo tape on static areas (the light adhesive types). I have a 1970 Super K (50# @ 28) that is a dandy shooter. Originally setup with a calfskin-covered spring steel rest, I removed the rest and replaced with a calfskin plate, shooting from the shelf without any issues. Watching these videos really make me examine how my present bows were originally built. Appreciate the fresh look and improvements you bring to these old classics

[@greatplainsbow]

Awesome! Thanks for watching my channel!

[@sierraridgereaper]

1967-1/2 Super Kodiak, some of the best bear ever made. They would add spray paint camo for an extra $5.00 back in the day and that bow was $99 new straight from the factory...my 64 kodiak is a speed demon and probably the smoothest, quietest shooting bow Ive ever owned and I have over 40 of them total..

[@greatplainsbow]

Wow! That's a lot of bows!

[@Winireneb]

What a wonderful transformation!

[@LongBowMan89]

Great save on the ol super Kodiak! Came out amazing keep up the killer content 🏹🎯

[@caseysmith544]

That is a Kodiak Hunter or the later Kodiak at the time it came out after 1960 when the original design was changed for a flat front riser. The Super Kodiak is 52 inches this is 60 inches.

[@LongBowMan89]

@@caseysmith544 it's a super Kodiak they came in 60 and 64" this one is one the first years for them being all black. You can type in 1967 /1968 super Kodiak into Google you will see bows just like this. The Super K's never came in 52".

[@caseysmith544]

@@LongBowMan89 Oh wait that is the Magnum I was thinking of. Sorry, there are many models and design changes to the Kodiak to keep up with.

[@LongBowMan89]

@@caseysmith544 no worries Sir, there are indeed a lot of models Bear made. There are so many I can't really just pick one if I had to choose to shoot the rest of my life. But if I had to, it would be a Grayling Michigan made B wood riser with numbers 3 limbs lol.

[@EthanPageHunter]

First LOVE Super Kodiaks. Just neat bows and inherently accurate. Second, as a former military guy, I rattle can stuff consistently.. as I agree that on TRUE works of art it’s a painful thing. But at the same time these are our tools. Make them work for you. If that means painting a widow, stalker, GP and whatever. Paint that sumbuck. Make it yours. That’s just my two cents. Loving these restoration videos guys!

[@greatplainsbow]

Yes sir! That's what's great about the sport. Personalize it to fit you exactly!

[@steveechols8902]

Nice job Shane! Can't wait to see a transformation on another Bighorn. :)

[@DavidHBurkart]

I vote for that

[@johnbottone4996]

The Super Kodiak is the 57 Chevy of bows. It's the model that Bear's Super Kodiak T.D. was modeled after. An iconic bow! P

[@FrankPace54]

First number on the serial # is a 7. So it's a 1967 super kodiak, which was the first year they made the super kodiak series. They actually came out very late in the year and are referred to a 1967 1/2

[@caseya.4902]

That black and red bow at 27:12 looks fantastic!

[@barebows]

You saved this bow and you gived him is real dignity. Thanks for your work. Nice job .luis traditional archer. Mine is a super kodiak. Hallo from italy

[@greatplainsbow]

Thanks for watching!

[@earlunderwoodjr.6766]

I build custom musky lures. I like to use Scotch Brite pads for dulling the finish on my lures, before applying another coat of finish. They last longer, and remove 220 grit sandpaper scratch marks.

[@greatplainsbow]

Good idea

[@kurtmagoteaux7804]

Looks great I love these videos

[@Witzansky4]

I love watching these restoration videos you're making. Keep them coming.

[@greatplainsbow]

Thanks, will do!

[@bowsnature9336]

Same here

[@greatplainsbow]

@@bowsnature9336 got a pretty cool bow we're fixing to restore that'll be coming out in the next month sometime. Its a 48" Bear super mag. Check out the Great Plains Facebook page to see it

[@bowsnature9336]

@@greatplainsbow awesome can't wait for that one loving all the content your putting out it's all very well done

[@knifesharpeningnorway]

Awesome work

[@robertroth6521]

Another great makeover

[@davidswaboda4609]

Absolutely love this video, I would love to work with you, I was a painter for 32 years, did a lot of staining and wood finishing. I am looking into your bows time for a new one. 😁

[@tl-xr6ce]

Nice work, love your GSP’S too

[@ItsDburch]

Huh, ive only ever met one person who's also read Skunk Works. It really is a fascinating book.

[@greatplainsbow]

Yep. Love it!

[@hawkfeather8]

Excellent work on that black beauty 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@sigmanarchery54]

That turned out great 👍🏼. 🙏🏼

[@josephreichart7545]

Nice how you work ,Beautiful looking bow ,keep feeding moth treats to your dogs ,ive got old bow ,needs rework ,its a Nomad stalker

[@bigDbigDbigD]

I have refinished a number of bows myself but it is hard to find a good one at a decent price today. I enjoyed this video.

[@andreas7512]

Very good job...! What could you do if the limbs were twisted ? Could you fix that ?

[@greatplainsbow]

Yep

[@barbaragreiel4515]

Never paint a bow from Fred bear 😣😣the are looking so good i am Robert from Germany i got 27 Bears 😊 great job !!!!!!!!!!!

[@bowsnature9336]

Sell me some bear limbs that are not junk 😂 I've had bad luck

[@tmoanpumba5487]

With gummy paints, use a lacquer thinner then let it soften, then use a scraper or sharp knife and drag it over it.. Done a ton of bows this way..

[@aidendelong5869]

Hey that bow you talk about at 15 min the pain is enamel based. Most spray paints are. Heat will help peel it up great. I used enamel paints for my first guitar restoration, as they are easy to learn how to spray paint and have a proof look and appeal

[@greatplainsbow]

You mean oil based enamel? Most paints are either oil or water based, but I've never heard of enamel based

[@aidendelong5869]

Think like ace hardware spray paint. The paint primer combo cans that’s say satin enamel, the color, dries in 25 minutes or less kind of paint. It’s a very cheap kind of paint, nothing like the hvlp guns we have used and those mixed paints where we add a base or other mixable.

[@greatplainsbow]

@@aidendelong5869 well actually the oil based enamel spray paints are some of the most expensive spray paints out there as they are designed to be harder and more durable.

[@aidendelong5869]

Interesting. Where I am the varnish’s and other based ones are more expensive. Enamel spray paints up here are most always in stock and a few dollars cheaper. Have a good un.

[@Buildabar1]

Love the pointer pups I have. A couple running around under foot as we speak.the joys of a good bird dog..😂

[@greatplainsbow]

The best!

[@blakeumthun8128]

Holy Sh!t... That really came to life and looks gorgeous

[@adamhimelrick7236]

67 1/2 Black beauty!

[@caseysmith544]

One of the worst tip overlay transitions on modern bows is the RD Bones by Krammer Ammons Shatterproof Archery. Your company would have to fix the tip overlay with epoxy in the spot or a glued on piece of wood as the tip overly transition is that bad, sharp and too soon from the tip that removing material would not be possible.

[@chattahoocheeoutdoorsman4865]

The tiller looks off on them too from what I've seen. It's like they have a hinge at the end of the fadeouts.

[@anthonyforfare7223]

Maybe why they stopped making bows?🤔

[@jacobwilliams5271]

Why the hell would you put ugly camo paint on a bow that pretty in the first place.

[@lesharp5748]

Why not use gue be gone it will take the paint off and not hurt the original finish. I used it on my bear grizzly and it work great. Just put some on a rag and rub and wipe. Just saying.

[@greatplainsbow]

I'll check it out

[@charlesdudley5800]

O'Keefe working hands is really good stuff to help prevent your fingers from cracking

[@tomvawter4531]

Great job! 🏹👍

[@lancetranter5695]

Awesome

[@kennylainhart7148]

Looks like a super Kodiak

[@kurtmeister8308]

great job. Painting a bow is a crime in many states.

[@user-zg1zl9xx4t]

Hey, I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of glue that is that you’re using to fill those cracks and holes with when you sand it and then you drizzle that stuff on what is that I need some I’m doing a Kodiak stupor for a friend of mine it’s a 1953 I want to have the right stuff

[@greatplainsbow]

It's CA glue. Essentially just really thin super glue

[@the1000master]

can someone tell me if the tone shift of his voice is him doing it on purpose or if it's from bad audio quality

[@brianpalmateer2089]

Good afternoon, 12:07, 5-4-24. D u have a vid of how to do sanding w more common man tools?

[@greatplainsbow]

Yep, on the black hunter rework videos there's lots of footage of simple tools

[@APMHuntFish]

Great video! I have a blue stripe super Kodiak I’d like to have this done for. What finish spray are your using?

[@jadeddragon4254]

So the heat from the medallion removal will not delaminate the bow or warp it ? Great video 👍

[@greatplainsbow]

That is an excellent question and is also a valid concern for sure when working with older bows. The heat in that location will be just fine as it is not on any laminations and was held on the bow for just a brief moment. But you have to be extremely careful when heating up any area with gluelines or laminations. Thanks for watching!

[@reggiewhite8381]

Curiosity requires I ask since I have several older recurves and would love to get restored. What is the ball park cost to do one ?

[@greatplainsbow]

It depends. Starts at $200 and tops out around $350

[@reggiewhite8381]

Thank you, I will be in contact@@greatplainsbow

[@BrotherFin]

How much you charge to restore a similar bow with a similar paint job?

[@greatplainsbow]

Probably around $250

[@matthewyu3531]

For your health, please wear a mask while working.

[@charlesdudley5800]

Just picked up a vintage Root Brush Master from the late 50's early 60's. Would it be worth it to have it restored? Great work btw. That bow turned out beautiful.

[@greatplainsbow]

Thanks! It depends on how much the bow is worth to you. It doesn't really matter how much you could sell it for. If you really love it then it's always worth it to make it brand new

[@charlesdudley5800]

@@greatplainsbow I only paid 50.00 for it. It's my first recurve. Waiting on a new string to come in the mail. What does it cost to restore it to new. That would determine if it's worth it to me. I'm on a budget.

[@greatplainsbow]

@@charlesdudley5800 It would depend what all you want done on it. Email me some pictures and I can give you an estimate. [e-mail]

[@charlesdudley5800]

@@greatplainsbow Just got off work. Will do that when I get home.

[@user-oj9ld2nl3v]

What do you spray it with on these refinished bows?

[@tonycooper2962]

Hi what paint did you use for finish

[@greatplainsbow]

Ml Campbell Krystal conversion varnish

[@ourmontanahome7291]

I have a 68 Bear Super Kodiak recurve. It looks like the one you are refinishing. Mine is still shootable but has a few vertical stress cracks on the belly of the bow, 3 on top limb, 2 on bottom limb all are below the fade outs. How much do you charge to refinish a bow? Thanks

[@greatplainsbow]

I charge $150. Thanks for watching!

[@ourmontanahome7291]

@Great Plains Traditional Bow Co. Great do I just box it up and mail it to you? It would be the first part of July. Mine doesn't have paint. Lol Thanks

[@jakesmith6337]

What is the finish you spray on ?

[@AlessandroBergomi]

What did you use to spray it?

[@greatplainsbow]

M.L. Campbell Krystal post catalyzed conversion varnish through an HVLP at 60 psi

[@mikeneuburger3989]

There is actually no way to date a Bear recurve made after 1969 by looking at the serial number

[@mikeneuburger3989]

But if it started with a 7, it’s a 1967

[@Sirsellalot]

What do you spray it with??

[@chazatkinson]

I don’t like people spray painting their bows!! An allure of traditional archery is seeing the wood !!

[@greatplainsbow]

Yeah I agree, but it's really all about the enjoyment of the sport and if it's making the sport more enjoyable for the person to camouflage their bow I get it

[@knifesharpeningnorway]

Btw i dont want my bow tasting like moths and stawberries and cream. If you can do my bow with the texas barbecue and bacon flavor it would be appreciated 😂

[@greatplainsbow]

For sure! We'll make that happen!

[@knifesharpeningnorway]

@@greatplainsbow hehe now with proper bbq rub from great plains

[@dannyfoster1623]

You need to learn the difference between electric and pneumatic .

[@greatplainsbow]

Class is in session. Let's hear it

[@stevelewis7263]

I wouldn't do any work on a STRUNG bow

[@greatplainsbow]

Good deal

[@rauliuonac7542]

👏👏👏👏👍

[@DIXIECRAWLER13]

All for painting cheap bows but not those pieces of art

[@johnnybrown3445]

Awesome. This is good stuff! I sent you an email about a Browning bow I'd like some work done to. Let me know if you are interested.

[@greatplainsbow]

Hey Johnny, thanks for watching! I may have missed your email. I'll check my folders and get back to ya. Shane

[@johnnybrown3445]

I actually sent it from your website.

[@bigdstraditionalbows3077]

Has no taste just sayin. I’ve done it

[@LongBowMan89]

😂 😂

[@shaneewell7404]

Hey Shane. Love your work. I'm sanding down and refinishing a few old recurves for my sons. What is the best finish you can recommend? I have a cup gun so I can spray two part finishes etc... Thanks so much. Shane

[@greatplainsbow]

You'll have the best luck with M.L. Campbell's Krystal conversion varnish. It's a post catalyzed finish and VERY IMPORTANT the product number of the proper catalyst is C1491

[@greatplainsbow]

Use the gloss coats (C14518) to build up the hardness and put the dull (C14512) on for your hunting finish

[@Shootemfulloholes]

Very good, i was actually very intrigued to hear what you had to say about this bow and how it shot. I've been watching many of your videos and i must say they are very refreshing to watch. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication.

[@shaneewell7404]

Beautiful job! May I ask specifically what finish you applied to this bow?

[@kendion4597]

Kodiak bow. I hate painted

[@user-oj9ld2nl3v]

What do you spray it with on these refinished bows?

[@greatplainsbow]

M.L. Campbell Krystal conversion varnish