Cerakote????

[mauser284]

First off, I am hopeful that I don't get banned for being "off topic", so if I do then everyone can have a nice life....cerakote is used on a lot of gun finishes, so maybe I am not too terribly out of line and here's my question: can anyone buy it or do you really have to do something special to be able to use the stuff??? I have heard that you have to go to their "school" to learn how to use it {mix in hardener, spray it on and throw the part in an oven??} and so you can purchase the stuff from a dealer. Don't get me wrong, I am not against going to school for anything, as long as it's really necessary and not just a jack for more money.
I like cerakote, it does what it is supposed to, but I just don't know about paying money to "join a club" so I can buy it, if that is true. Can someone please give me the straight scoop on cerakote??? Thanks in advance and any information is greatly appreciated.

You clearly did not try googling "Cerakote for sale or Buy Cerakote" "How to Cerakote at Home" and on and on. Not a difficult thing to do since you found your way to this forum and posted. I think you will get faster results using google. This site is fantastic for things not easily googled! You can even see people on youtube walking you through the process. You can also go directly to Cerakotes web site. It took a while for Cerakote to catch on in the beginning it was sold directly to individuals long before it caught on with professionals. Almost all coating even if they require heat to cure have a preferred heat an time hold and modifications that allow one to use lower heat for longer hold times to accommodate materials that are heat sensitive. For instance most powder coating call for levels of heat that will cause a trumpet to fall apart because the solder flows at the recommended curing temp. So you still need to put the same energy total into the finish to cure it so you use a lower temp for long total time so that the total input energy is the same but over a longer time so the trumpet does not fall apart in the oven! So almost all coating have a sweet spot and lot's of possible modifications to that process that will still produce a fantastic result. This is not specific to Cerakote either it is surface coating in general especialy ones though that have some form of catalyst for proper curing.Ultimately if you have questions the company supplying the coating should be asked directly. Hope this helps!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You clearly did not try googling "Cerakote for sale or Buy Cerakote" "How to Cerakote at Home" and on and on. Not a difficult thing to do since you found your way to this forum and posted. I think you will get faster results using google. This site is fantastic for things not easily googled! You can even see people on youtube walking you through the process. You can also go directly to Cerakotes web site. It took a while for Cerakote to catch on in the beginning it was sold directly to individuals long before it caught on with professionals. Almost all coating even if they require heat to cure have a preferred heat an time hold and modifications that allow one to use lower heat for longer hold times to accommodate materials that are heat sensitive. For instance most powder coating call for levels of heat that will cause a trumpet to fall apart because the solder flows at the recommended curing temp. So you still need to put the same energy total into the finish to cure it so you use a lower temp for long total time so that the total input energy is the same but over a longer time so the trumpet does not fall apart in the oven! So almost all coating have a sweet spot and lot's of possible modifications to that process that will still produce a fantastic result. This is not specific to Cerakote either it is surface coating in general especialy ones though that have some form of catalyst for proper curing.Ultimately if you have questions the company supplying the coating should be asked directly. Hope this helps!

Kinda rough talk for a guy with 37 posts- just sayin.

 

[mike a]

Kinda rough talk for a guy with 37 posts- just sayin.

Took a lot of space too. He should contribute.

 

[nicholst55]

Is that the same as something called Gun Kote? Had it on a handgun once and acetone took it right off so I Sent R Back and had it nickel plated.

No, it's not the same. Much more durable than GunKote, IME.

 

[Mark W]

There’s an article in this months issue of Shooting Illustrated about DIY Cerakote.

 

[msinc]

Is that the same as something called Gun Kote? Had it on a handgun once and acetone took it right off so I Sent R Back and had it nickel plated.

If acetone took Gun-Kote right off then it either wasn't Gun-Kote or it wasn't applied correctly. It has to go on in a very thin layer, like just enough to cover. If you add too much thinner to it then it can compromise the materials ability to stick and set up good. You're not really supposed to have to thin it, but it helps to keep some of the matte finish colors flat. Been a while, but if I remember right they want you to apply and cover thin, but in one coat. You're not supposed to keep going over and adding coats.
Gun-Kote, while not as tough and durable as Cerakote, is still pretty tough. I have used it quite a bit and it would be okay for what I presently need except that it doesn't really come in a lot of colors. What always impressed me about it was it's ability to stay in high wear places like 1911 frame and slide rails.

There’s an article in this months issue of Shooting Illustrated about DIY Cerakote.

Thanks for posting this sir....I will definitely check it out!!

 

[antelopedundee]

If acetone took Gun-Kote right off then it either wasn't Gun-Kote or it wasn't applied correctly. It has to go on in a very thin layer, like just enough to cover. If you add too much thinner to it then it can compromise the materials ability to stick and set up good. You're not really supposed to have to thin it, but it helps to keep some of the matte finish colors flat. Been a while, but if I remember right they want you to apply and cover thin, but in one coat. You're not supposed to keep going over and adding coats.
Gun-Kote, while not as tough and durable as Cerakote, is still pretty tough. I have used it quite a bit and it would be okay for what I presently need except that it doesn't really come in a lot of colors. What always impressed me about it was it's ability to stay in high wear places like 1911 frame and slide rails.



Thanks for posting this sir....I will definitely check it out!!

It was done long ago by a gent named "Doc" Jones out of Palmdale, CA. I had read about him in a magazine article. The rest of the work was excellent.