Everything You Need to Know About Cerakote: The Ultimate Ceramic Coating
When it comes to protecting your equipment, tools, or even firearms, durability and longevity are essential. One product that has been gaining popularity for its ability to enhance both aesthetics and performance is Cerakote, a high-performance thin-film ceramic coating. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what Cerakote is, how it works, and where it's used.
What is Cerakote?
Cerakote is a ceramic-based coating that is applied to a variety of materials, including metals, plastics, polymers, and even wood. The coating is designed to provide superior durability, corrosion resistance, and wear protection, all while being thin and lightweight. Despite its thin application, Cerakote offers excellent protection against harsh environments, chemicals, scratches, and even high temperatures.
It’s a popular choice for industries that demand high-performance coatings, and it can be used for a wide range of applications—from firearms to automotive parts to industrial tools. Essentially, Cerakote offers a versatile solution to improve the lifespan and aesthetics of various products.
How Does Cerakote Work?
Cerakote is a ceramic-based polymer coating that bonds with the surface of the material it is applied to. The coating is typically applied via spraying, but it can also be dipped or brushed on. Once the coating is applied, it undergoes a curing process, usually in an oven, where the polymer and ceramic particles bond at a molecular level.
The result? A hard, durable, and smooth surface that provides excellent protection without adding much weight or thickness. It’s a great option for items that undergo frequent wear and tear, as it helps prevent corrosion, reduce friction, and make cleaning easier.
Benefits of Cerakote
There are several key advantages to using Cerakote, whether you're applying it to firearms, automotive parts, or tools:
- Durability: Cerakote offers exceptional resistance to scratches, chemicals, and extreme conditions. It can withstand heat, humidity, and UV rays without deteriorating.
- Corrosion Resistance: One of the standout features of Cerakote is its ability to resist corrosion. It’s perfect for items that are exposed to moisture, saltwater, or other corrosive environments.
- High-Temperature Resistance: Cerakote is known for its high-temperature stability. Some formulations of Cerakote are capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1800°F (982°C) without degrading or losing their protective properties. This makes it an ideal coating for high-heat applications like automotive engine parts, exhaust systems, and firearms exposed to rapid temperature changes.
- Aesthetic Customization: Cerakote comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, allowing for personalized designs. It’s a popular choice in the firearms industry for custom gun coatings, but it’s also used in automotive parts and sporting equipment to enhance their appearance.
- Lightweight: The thin-film nature of Cerakote means that it doesn’t add significant weight or bulk to the object it’s applied to, making it an ideal option for applications where weight is a concern.
- Easy to Clean: Cerakote’s smooth surface makes it easy to clean and maintain, which is important for products exposed to dirt, dust, or chemicals.
Where is Cerakote Used?
Cerakote’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of industries and applications, including:
- Firearms: One of the most common uses of Cerakote is in the firearms industry. It helps to protect guns from rust and wear while offering a variety of colors and finishes for customization. Whether you’re looking for a matte finish or a sleek, glossy look, Cerakote provides a long-lasting solution.
- Automotive: Cerakote is used in the automotive industry for parts like engine components, exhaust systems, and wheels. Thanks to its high-temperature resistance, it can endure the extreme heat generated by engines and exhaust systems without breaking down or fading.
- Industrial Tools: Many industrial tools and machinery parts benefit from Cerakote's resistance to abrasion, corrosion, and chemicals. It’s especially useful for items that are frequently exposed to harsh conditions.
- Sports Equipment: Cerakote is also used on sporting goods such as bicycles, golf clubs, and knives. Its scratch resistance and ability to endure rough handling make it ideal for outdoor gear.
How to Apply Cerakote
Cerakote application requires careful preparation and attention to detail. While the process can be done at home with the right equipment, many people opt to have it applied by professionals. The general process includes:
- Surface Preparation: Cleaning the surface thoroughly to remove any oils, dirt, or other contaminants.
- Application: Applying the Cerakote coating using a spray gun or other tools.
- Curing: The item is baked in an oven at a specified temperature to cure the coating and bond it to the surface.
While the process may seem simple, it requires precision to ensure the coating adheres properly and performs optimally.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to improve the durability of your automotive parts, firearm, or industrial tools, Cerakote is a reliable and versatile solution. Its ability to provide superior protection while maintaining a thin, lightweight profile makes it a standout option across various industries. And with its exceptional high-temperature resistance, Cerakote can handle the most extreme conditions without breaking down.
If you’re interested in boosting the longevity and performance of your equipment, consider giving Cerakote a try. With its proven benefits, it’s no wonder this ceramic coating continues to grow in popularity.
Q: You can Cerakote threads??
A: YES. And here’s why you should!- Cerakote is extremely thin. Going on at about .5 to 1 mil thick
- Does not require zinc or phosphate pre-treatments
- Low coefficient of friction
- 9H hardness
- Excellent abrasion resistance
- Extreme chemical resistance
- Over 4000+ hours in a salt spray chamber without failure
: 3/4” plain 307A hex bolts coated in Cerakote E-100 Blackout
Cerakote: The Ultimate Ceramic Coating