Why Choose Cerakote?
Cerakote has revolutionized the world of protective coatings. Known for its exceptional durability, resistance to corrosion, and aesthetic versatility, it’s a favorite among firearm enthusiasts, automotive professionals, and anyone seeking a superior finish. This guide provides a detailed roadmap on how to apply this remarkable ceramic coating, ensuring you achieve professional-grade results. We’ll delve into every stage of the process, from preparation to curing, empowering you to transform your projects with a long-lasting, high-performance finish.
Compared to traditional methods like paint or anodizing, Cerakote boasts significant advantages. The coating forms a remarkably thin, yet incredibly strong bond with the substrate. This thin profile doesn’t compromise the dimensions of the item being coated, a critical benefit in applications with tight tolerances. The real strength of Cerakote lies in its resistance to abrasion, impact, and chemical exposure. This protective layer withstands harsh environments and everyday wear and tear, prolonging the life of your equipment. The aesthetic benefits are also noteworthy. Cerakote is available in a vast spectrum of colors and finishes, allowing for customization and personalization. Whether you’re looking for a tactical matte black, a vibrant custom color, or a camouflage pattern, Cerakote offers unmatched design flexibility. This article will guide you in understanding the importance of applying a Cerakote coating.
Getting Started: Preparation is the Key
A successful Cerakote finish relies heavily on proper preparation. This stage might seem tedious, but it’s the foundation for a flawless, durable coating. Taking shortcuts here will lead to disappointing results, so patience and meticulousness are essential.
Gathering Your Materials and Equipment
The first step is assembling everything you’ll need. This includes your chosen Cerakote coating, the necessary equipment, and various cleaning supplies.
The Cerakote Coatings: Cerakote offers a range of coatings, with the most popular being the H-Series and the Elite Series. The H-Series provides excellent performance and durability, while the Elite Series offers even greater resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and UV exposure. Select the series and color that best suits your project’s needs. You will also need to consider the amount of Cerakote needed for the project and the type of finish. Always have more than you think you need, and choose wisely.
Essential Equipment: A high-quality spray gun is vital. An airbrush is suitable for smaller projects, while an HVLP (High-Volume, Low-Pressure) spray gun is recommended for larger items, offering better control and coverage. Regardless of your choice, select a spray gun with adjustable settings to control the flow rate and fan pattern. An air compressor is a must-have, providing the air needed to power the spray gun and a blast cabinet (if needed). Make sure to use a moisture filter and regulator to ensure a consistent air supply. You must also have a blast cabinet for surface preparation. This is essential for creating the anchor pattern that Cerakote needs to properly adhere. Choose appropriate blasting media, like aluminum oxide or sand, ensuring you select the correct grit size for your item. Don’t forget the mixing equipment like measuring cups, mixing sticks, and a scale. Remember to use a scale to measure the exact amount of Cerakote and hardener. This is important for achieving the optimum result.
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety is paramount. Always wear a respirator equipped with appropriate cartridges to filter out fumes and particles. Protective eyewear (goggles or a face shield) will shield your eyes from airborne contaminants. Gloves, preferably nitrile, will protect your hands from the chemicals involved.
Cleaning Supplies: These items are crucial for removing contaminants that can hinder adhesion. You will need a quality degreaser or solvent (such as acetone), and plenty of lint-free cleaning cloths or rags to wipe away any debris. A lot of issues can happen in the coating process, so ensure that you work in a clean, well-ventilated area, and avoid doing it in the rain or wind.
Surface Preparation: The Foundation of a Good Finish
Preparing the surface properly is the most critical step. Any imperfections or contaminants will compromise the final finish. A smooth, clean surface ensures optimal adhesion and longevity.
Disassembly: If your project involves disassembling an item, like a firearm, carefully document the process. Take photographs, make notes, and label all the parts to ensure easy reassembly. Ensure you have the necessary tools to do this, like the proper wrench or hex keys.
Cleaning: Before any surface preparation, thoroughly clean the item to remove all traces of oil, grease, dirt, and other contaminants. Use a degreaser and solvent, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This step ensures that the blasting media can effectively create an anchor pattern for the coating. The blasting process and the coating will only work well if you take this step seriously.
Abrasive Blasting (if needed): The purpose of blasting is to create a textured surface. This is called the anchor pattern. This texture provides a mechanical bond for the Cerakote. Aluminum oxide is a popular blasting media. Start with a lower pressure and gradually increase it until the desired surface texture is achieved. Blasting pressure and the angle that you blast at can make a difference.
Final Cleaning: After blasting, another round of thorough cleaning is necessary. Use a solvent such as acetone, and ensure the item is free of any dust or blasting media residue. A lint-free cloth is essential for this step.
Applying Cerakote: The Coating Process
With the surface meticulously prepared, you’re ready to apply the Cerakote coating. This section guides you through the critical steps involved in achieving a professional-looking finish.
Mixing the Cerakote
Precise mixing is crucial to the final result, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.
Mixing Instructions: The Cerakote mixture ratio will vary depending on the product and hardener used. Typically, it will involve combining Cerakote with a specific hardener at a particular ratio, which you’ll find on the product packaging. Use accurate measuring tools, and stir the mixture thoroughly, ensuring a uniform consistency. Once the mixture is combined, it has a limited pot life. Work quickly and efficiently to apply the coating before the mixture thickens or starts to cure. Keep in mind that the pot life varies depending on the temperature.
Spraying the Coating
This requires practice and a steady hand. Even, consistent coats are essential.
Setting Up the Spray Gun: Adjust your spray gun to the recommended pressure. The right settings are determined by the spray gun, and the product instructions. Start with a lower pressure and increase gradually until you get a good atomization and fan pattern. The fan pattern refers to the shape of the spray coming from the nozzle. You should have a consistent, even pattern for optimal results.
Spraying Technique: Apply thin, even coats, overlapping each pass by about 50%. This helps prevent runs and sags. Move the spray gun at a consistent speed, maintaining a consistent distance from the surface. Remember to spray wet coats and allow the coating to flow out a bit. Avoid spraying too heavily, as this can cause runs. The amount of coats you apply will vary depending on the product, but typically two or three coats are sufficient. Allow the specified flash time (the time between coats) before applying the next coat.
Inspection and Troubleshooting: During and after application, inspect the coating for any imperfections. If you notice runs, sags, or orange peel (a textured surface), you may have applied the coating too heavily, or your spray technique may need adjustment. If a problem arises, it is often possible to lightly sand the problem areas (after the Cerakote is fully cured) and reapply the coating. If you have runs, lightly sand them down. Practice makes perfect.
Curing Cerakote: The Final Step
Curing is the final step, transforming the wet coating into a durable, protective finish. Proper curing is critical for achieving the desired properties.
Preparing for Curing
Ensure the coated item is free of dust, debris, and any other contaminants. The item must be fully coated, and the process must be performed in the right environment.
Curing Process
The curing process involves heating the coated item in an oven at a specific temperature and for a specific time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The oven must reach the required temperature and must be able to hold that temperature throughout the curing cycle. Once the item is cured, let it cool completely before handling it. Do not rush this step, as improper curing can lead to a subpar finish.
Post-Curing Inspection
Once the item is cooled, carefully inspect the cured coating. Check for any defects, such as blemishes, imperfections, or inconsistent color. Ensure the coating is hard and durable. If the finish is not perfect, you may be able to lightly sand and reapply the coating to those areas.
Final Steps and Finishing Touches
With the Cerakote cured and inspected, the project is near completion. Reassembly and a final assessment will complete the process.
Reassembly
If you disassembled the item, now is the time to reassemble it. Take your time and use caution to avoid scratching or damaging the new finish. Inspect the item as you put it back together.
Cleanup
Proper cleanup is vital for maintaining your equipment and ensuring future success. Clean your spray gun, blast cabinet, and other equipment. Following these steps will help you maintain the results you’ve achieved.
Conclusion
Applying Cerakote is a rewarding process that, with practice, can yield impressive results. The key is to meticulously follow each step, from preparation to curing. Remember that patience and attention to detail are crucial. Don’t hesitate to practice on scrap material to hone your technique before tackling a more important project. As you grow more comfortable with the process, you can experiment with different colors and designs, opening up endless possibilities for customization. Consider consulting the Cerakote website for more in-depth guides, videos, and support.
Hopefully this “How To Do Cerakote” guide has helped you on your journey. Remember to practice to master the process and enjoy the results.
