Cerakote FAQs

What is Cerakote?

 

Cerakote is not a paint. Cerakote is a Polymer-Ceramic coating that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers, and wood. It is extremely resistant to heat, scratching, chemical, and UV damage.

Cerakote offers several series:

H-Series — The unrivaled leader in thin film protective coating

  • Oven cured, fully cured once cooled

  • Can withstand 350 to 500 degrees F (depending upon color)

  • Available in over 100 colors

  • Perfect for tight tolerance applications

  • Common Uses: Automotive, firearms, aerospace, knives, eye wear, consumer electronics, wearables, salt water applications and much more.

E-Series — Unmatched abrasion, corrosion and chemical resistance

  • Oven cured, fully cured once cooled

  • Can withstand 350 to 500 degrees F (depending upon color)

  • Limited color availability

  • Perfect for tight tolerance applications

  • Common Uses: Automotive, firearms, aerospace, knives, eyewear, consumer electronics, wearables, industry valves, oil & gas, salt water applications, and much more.

C-Series — Great option for parts that cannot be oven cured

  • Air cured, fully cured in 5 days

  • Formulated to withstand temperatures up to 1800 degrees F

  • Over 50 colors available

  • Not optimal for tight tolerance applications

  • High Chemical resistance

  • Uses: automotive, wheels, exhaust systems, firearm parts, architectural, lighting, hardware, optics and much more.

Cerakote Vs…

 

Which coating is better? See how Cerakote stacks-up against common finishes found in a variety of industries.

ANODIZING | BLUEING | CORROSION | HIGH-TEMP POWDER | NITRIDE | PVD | TEFLON® | XYLAN®

What is the Cerakote application process?

 

All oven-cured series:

  1. Disassembly — every spring, pin, nut, and screw.

  2. Degreasing — the parts to be coated are given an acetone bath to remove surface dirt, grease, and oil. Then they are baked to draw oil and impurities out of the pores of the metal. This process is then repeated, as many times as necessary, to ensure all contaminants are removed.

  3. Surface Prep — the surface is blasted with fine aluminum oxide to remove all coatings and provide a clean surface for Cerakote to adhere to.

  4. Coating — parts are sprayed by a Cerakote-trained certified applicator, using equipment and techniques specified by Cerakote. Cerakote is applied to .001” thickness, so it will not interfere with tolerances.

  5. Baking — parts are hung in an industrial oven and baked to Cerakote specifications.

  6. Curing — once cooled the parts are completely cured.

  7. Inspected — parts are visually inspected for proper coating thickness and consistency. If parts do not pass the quality inspection the process is repeated at no cost to the customer.

  8. Reassembly — the firearm is reassembled, and returned to the customer.

IMPORTANT: Markings — any markings that are painted or lightly laser etched will be lost during the cleaning and coating process. Serial Numbers are normally deeply engraved and can be read through the coating.

Do I need to disassemble my gun?

 

Yes and no — Do it yourself or have us do it.

Before applying a coating, it is necessary to completely disassemble all firearms. This entails removing all internal and external parts from frames, receivers, and slides, as well as removing sights and extractors from pistol slides.

We have teamed up with Big Iron Outdoors to offer professional Gunsmith Services. You have the option to either perform the disassembly yourself or have the gunsmith do it for you.

The disassembly fees normally range from $10-$25.

Will it change the function of my gun?

 

Absolutely not! Just keep in mind that while Cerakote is a very thin layer, some parts with tight tolerances might feel a bit sticky until they're broken in. We recommend shooting one to two boxes of rounds to help everything smooth out.

And if that doesn't do the trick, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us or bring it back, and we'll take care of it for you.

Is Cerakote durable—will it scratch?

 

Cerakote will gradually wear off from dropping on concrete, blasting, hitting with a metal punch, or continuous rubbing. However, it will take longer to wear off compared to traditional bluing, parkerizing, or other finishes.

Check out the product testing videos at Cerakote.com.

What chemicals can I clean my firearm with after Cerakote application?

 

Don't worry, any firearm cleaner or lubricant won't harm the Cerakote finish. Once we're done with your project, feel free to even use acetone or brake cleaner (just don't soak it!)

How long will it take to Cerakote my gun?

 

We want to make sure your gun gets the attention it deserves! Typically, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks to complete a project, though more intricate patterns may need up to 30 days.

Please keep in mind that we often have a backlog, so there may be a bit of a wait before we can get started on your project. For the most up-to-date turnaround time, feel free to get in touch with us. If you'd like to minimize the wait, we can schedule an appointment and reserve a spot for you in our queue. This way, your firearm can stay safe at home until it's ready for us to work our magic on it.