Still confused about Cerakote?

Cerakote Series

Cerakote comes in a few varieties, they differ in the application process and the final properties of the finish. Cerakote H-Series is the standard for firearm applications, it is oven cured and is available in hundreds of colors. The Elite or E-Series is a step above, offering the highest level of abrasion, corrosion and chemical resistance. Other varieties are also available for objects which cannot withstand oven curing, parts which are exposed to sunlight and even automotive engine parts which need protection for extreme temperatures.

To learn more about the Cerakote varieties and to see the available colors, visit the Cerakote website below.

Cerakote Types & Colors

NIC Industries developed Cerakote in the 1980s, here's how they describe it:

Cerakote is a Polymer-Ceramic Composite coating that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers and wood. The unique formulation used for Cerakote ceramic coating enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion/wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, impact strength, and hardness. Each of these properties is rigorously tested to guarantee that Cerakote products remain at the forefront of the ceramic coatings market. Cerakote ceramic coatings utilize state-of-the-art technology to out-perform any competitive coating in both laboratory settings and real world applications.

What makes Cerakote the best?

Cerakote Elite Series Characteristics

Superior wear resistance
Unmatched corrosion protection
Leading impact and scratch resistance
Maximum hardness and flexibility
High surface coverage
Smooth consistent finish
Low dry-film thickness for tight tolerance applications
Low coefficient of friction

How it works

Application Process

A perfectly bonded, durable and good looking Cerakote finish is the result of a professional application process. Our shop is equipped with specialized tools and equipment and our staff is factory trained for Cerakote applications.

Disassembly

A complete breakdown will be necessary. With the proper set of tools, we will disassemble the firearm down to every last pin and spring. Every piece will be examined to make sure there are no problems before proceeding to the next step.

Degreasing

The next step is cleaning the parts thoroughly and placing them in an acetone bath to soak for 30 minutes in order to completely remove any oil residue.

Sandblasting

Preparing the surface by blasting it with aluminum oxide in our blasting booth is crucial to achieving optimal coating adhesion. Some parts will also require a “Gas Out” phase, which consists of heating the parts in the oven to evaporate leftover moisture and bring out any remaining oils, if oil is visible the part is degreased and the process is repeated until no oil residue is visible.

Masking & Hanging

If the project includes any customization such as camo or other patterns, the stencils will be cut and applied. Areas which cannot be coated will be plugged or masked and the part will be hanged and racked, lined up for the next step.

Spraying

The Cerakote is shaken, measured, mixed and loaded in the spray gun. The parts are blown off with compressed air to make sure there are no residues and finally the Cerakote is applied meticulously to each part. The parts are set aside for a few minutes before the next step.

Curing

For the series which require it, the parts are moved into the oven and cured for 1 – 2 hours at the specified temperature, about 120°C for metals and 65°C for plastics and wood. For parts which require air curing they are left to dry at room temperature for up to 5 days to fully cure.

Final Inspection & Assembly

Parts are taken off the hangers and laid out for a final inspection. If there are any imperfections found, the parts will go through the process again until the best possible finish is achieved. Once everything is evaluated and good to go, the final assembly is done and functionality is verified.