CERAKOTE COATINGS

Cerakote Coatings

GLOCKS | ARS | PATTERNS | COLORING

It’s also become quite popular, along with similar gun finish compounds like DuraCoat and so on. Up until the past couple decades, guns could be had (mostly) in blued steel or stainless, both of which hold up reasonably well against the elements and rust.

Bluing is a process of treating iron (or steel, an alloy of iron and carbon) to with a catalyst that creates a layer of magnetite – or black iron oxide – on the surface of the metal. It isn’t moisture proof, as blued steel needs a coat of water-repellant oil (such as a good gun lube or oil) to keep water out and rust from forming. Furthermore, it’s relatively easy and cheap compared to other finishes.

Blued steel, though, does have to be periodically re-blued. Gunsmiths commonly do it, but some people do it at home.

Stainless steel is an alloy of steel and – usually – chromium, which keeps oxygen out by forming a thin layer of chromium oxide on the surface, which is chemically passive – meaning it generally doesn’t react with anything else, especially air and water.

Obviously, passivity is a prized quality in gun finishes, as keeping rust at bay is the goal. Cerakote, and other finishes, helps in this regard.

Blued steel, though, does have to be periodically re-blued. Gunsmiths commonly do it, but some people do it at home.

Stainless steel is an alloy of steel and – usually – chromium, which keeps oxygen out by forming a thin layer of chromium oxide on the surface, which is chemically passive – meaning it generally doesn’t react with anything else, especially air and water.

Obviously, passivity is a prized quality in gun finishes, as keeping rust at bay is the goal. Cerakote, and other finishes, helps in this regard.

What Is Cerakote?

Cerakote is a proprietary finish, made by a company called Cerakote. The name is a portmanteau with the word “coat” changed to “kote,” because misspelling things is cool. (Though some cynical miscreants disagree on that point.)

Anyway, the finish employs ceramic (hence “cera”) particles as part of the solution. This creates a hard surface that resists scratching and other abrasion, such as if the pistol is dropped or otherwise impacted by something.

The purchaser can either get Cerakote guns from manufacturers – many of whom apply the finish at the factory – or apply it at home (or have a gunsmith do it) as an aftermarket upgrade. Manufacturers typically offer Cerakote finishes in some sort of tactical tan or green color, though many more finishes are available. Pick the finish you want; you can even use it to match your gun with other items.

That way, you could have a car in British Racing Green and then Cerakote a car gun finished to match – which would be classy.

What Does Cerakote Do?

Cerakote offers some distinct advantages over other finishes. First, the material has a good degree of lubricity, acting as a lubricant once the finish has been applied. A lot of users have found they need to use far less lubricant (if any) once their gun has been coated. Compared to other lubricants, Cerakote attracts far less in terms of dirt, dust and other particles, keeping the gun cleaner and ensuring better operation.

Cerakote is also a more effective barrier against oxidation and corrosion than bluing. This is advantageous for firearms that are carried in a marine environment (live on the coast?) or may be exposed to a lot of sweat (carry gun during hot summer months) or exceedingly hot and dusty (or the desert?) environments as well.

It can also look cool. While you can get a black coating that doesn’t look a whole heck of a lot different than black steel or polymer to begin with, plenty of other finishes are available too. Into Flat Dark Earth? They got it.

CERAKOTE GALLERY