Cerakote

Cerakote is a popular thin film ceramic coating used on firearms. Cerakote is available in several coating types, they are:

      • H-Series – Cerakote H-Series is an oven cured line of ceramic-polymer hybrid coatings that are designed to provide unmatched performance with an attractive and desirable finish.
      • C-Series – Cerakote C-Series is an air cured line of ceramic coatings that are intended to be used on parts that will sustain temperatures greater than 500°F or parts that cannot be oven cured (e.g. full auto barrels, full auto suppressors, scopes, etc.).
      • Elite Series – Cerakote Elite Series is an oven cured line of coatings that take the industry-leading performance of Cerakote H-Series coatings to the next level by improving hardness, abrasion resistance, and lubricity, all in a thinner application.
      • Gen II NiR – Cerakote Gen II NiR is a next generation visual and near-infrared signature management coating that is available only to military and law enforcement agencies.

related:

service:

      • Classic American Gunsmith offers Cerakoting services. More information on those services can be found here.

gunsmithing note(s):

      • When tacking out Cerakote, these are the times I start with:
        • Polymer: 180°F for 8 min (it can extend to as much as 12 minutes total, I still test for tackiness at 8 minutes)
        • Aluminum: 200°F for 8 to 9 minutes
      • The buttpads on Magpul STR Carbine Stocks warp at 180 degrees in the EZ Bake.1

footnotes/sources:

  1. The EZ Bake or EZ Bake Oven is the nickname we use for the shop built Cerakote curing oven we use.