Cerakote Finish

[priler]

I've noticed that cerakote is becoming more common, even right from the manufacturers.

anything that should and shouldn't be done or used with this finish? does something like regular Hoppe's 9 affect it in any way? what about harsher/stronger stuff?

I know you can gouge it but can some chemicals mar it?

any of you send something off to have it done, what's been your experience?

 

[Pat Riot]

I had a Winchester 94AE Cerakoted. The finish holds up nicely and it looks great. Hoppe’s No. 9 doesn’t hurt it and I have used the Hoppe’s Copper Solvent on the barrel once. No issues.

Mine was done by a shop in Sacramento about 7 years ago.

I did have the entire gun done including all parts (except I missed one pin). The only problem I had was the bolt was a bit tight in the receiver and I had to “polish” it s little to get it to moves easily but that was the only issue. It made me feel good to know my gun was that tight.

If you go on the Cerakote site...here. Check this out:
https://www.cerakote.com/testing/

 

[Jesse H]

Like most paints and finishes, it's all in the prep work. No issues with common cleaners and solvents.

Have 2 personal guns cerakoted. One is a G19 that's carried daily and it's getting a little holster wear. My 22/45 is just a range pinker and it's still flawless.

Have a 6920 that was factory FDE and it's got some wear from getting used at work. SWAT was then issued SOLGW rifles which are also cerakoted and they're holding up just fine.

Of the common finishes they seem to be the most durable.

 

[Mn Fats]

Cerakote is tough stuff. Hoppes #9 will have no effect on it. That is, if it was Cerakoted properly.

Have 2 personal guns cerakoted. One is a G19 that's carried daily and it's getting a little holster wear.

Why would you Cerakote a Tenifer treated Glock? The Cerakote will wear much faster. Not being smart, just curious.

 

[labnoti]

So how thick is a cerakote finish and how well does it work on the inside of an action? Certainly, the bore isn't coated, so would a cerakoted carbon steel barrel be more likely to rust than a stainless steel one? I'm genuinely clueless about cerakote, so my questions aren't facetious. I've handled a few cerakote guns like a Nosler. I've also sort of gravitated towards stainless steel because I like how easy they are to clean and how small blemishes can just be buffed out. I had a blued gun that had a burr on it. It was brand new so the manufacturer fixed it and refinished the whole gun. Stainless would have been so much simpler. I sometimes wonder how good of an alternative cerakote would be.

 

[Jesse H]

Why would you Cerakote a Tenifer treated Glock? The Cerakote will wear much faster. Not being smart, just curious.

Had it milled for an RMR which meant there was bare metal so cerakote was the best option.

 

[dfariswheel]

So how thick is a cerakote finish and how well does it work on the inside of an action? Certainly, the bore isn't coated, so would a cerakoted carbon steel barrel be more likely to rust than a stainless steel one? I'm genuinely clueless about cerakote, so my questions aren't facetious. I've handled a few cerakote guns like a Nosler. I've also sort of gravitated towards stainless steel because I like how easy they are to clean and how small blemishes can just be buffed out. I had a blued gun that had a burr on it. It was brand new so the manufacturer fixed it and refinished the whole gun. Stainless would have been so much simpler. I sometimes wonder how good of an alternative cerakote would be.

Since Cerakote IS a coating, and WILL wear off in some areas exposed to abrasion, a Cerakoted barrel will be less rust resistant then a stainless barrel, IN THE AREAS WHERE IT'S WORN THROUGH.
Stainless steel is Stain-LESS, not totally rust proof. Even stainless steel will rust.

Cerakote is superior to common blued steel and parkerized steel, of course much less wear resistant then stainless steel or a hard chromed gun.

The inside is typically not coated with Cerakote, it's primarily an external finish but can be coated in some interior areas.
It's applied in a very thin coat running from 0.5 to 1.0 mils thick.
It's so resistant to chemicals, the only viable way to get it off is to bead blast it off. Virtually no common chemical can attack it.

The durability of the coating depends on the correct application.
Application is WAY more complicated the just degreasing, bead blasting, and coating.
Cerakote is very specific down to the TYPE of bead blasting media used. Use the wrong type and the coating won't adhere properly.

The Cerakote site has a lot of info, including a tutorial on the involved process of application....

https://www.cerakote.com/

 

[tarosean]

I have 2 rifles and 3 pistols that are cerakoted. Only one was sent off for it to be coated. The others came from the factory. (all High-End)

My opinion is that its fine for rifles. Sucks for pistols that see holster use.