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Rifle Scopes Cerakote Scope

Hosshunter

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 9, 2012
105
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52
North Texas
I'm sure this has been mulled around many times over, but I'm going to ask for some guidance on Cerakote application to scope bodys. I plan on coating my S&B PMII and don't want to make any mistakes that can be avoided. Any feedback would be great. Links to instructions/videos would be even better.
Pictures please!
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

Send it off to someone that knows what they're doing!
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

I'm pretty skilled with my hands. I'm and Airframe and Powerplant tech that knows his way around a machine shop. I've always been a DIY guy and take pride in the finished product. I just wanted some feedback on experiences. So enlighten me, point me to your "someone who knows what they're doing"?
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

this is one I just had done for a customer of mine by Todd(30calsniper) here on the hide.



"I just quoted the post"


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: onedayer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lazy the 5-25 TPAL is unbelievable mounted it on the Surgeon this afternoon.. unbelievable... thanks again</div></div>


USOScopeCerakoteJob046.jpg

USOScopeCerakoteJob039.jpg

USOScopeCerakoteJob045.jpg


She's beautiful Pat!



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cowboy Joe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought my US Optics from Lazy, you will not find a better person to deal with! He is the best. Buy with confidence!
Cowboyjoe</div></div>

Joe, Thank you so much for your kind words.

BTT, have more ready to ship out</div></div>
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

Looks nice! kind of what I had in mind for my S&B. I like keeping the original graduations on the turrets without having to go over the them with a paint marker.
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

make sure whatever you do, use the C-Series paint and not the H-series paint.

I would heed the advice to get it done by someone.
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">make sure whatever you do, use the C-Series paint and not the H-series paint.

I would heed the advice to get it done by someone. </div></div>

Amen to that.

Just take your time masking it off and making sure that you are thoroughly, and cleanly masking off the portions of the scope that you don't want painted (i.e. glass).

If you don't have experience, or the equipment to spray cerakote, it's best to send it to someone.

Branden
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

You have to heat Cerakote to cure it right? Man I'd be scared to heat a scope up to 250F or really anything past 180F.. you would run the risk of melting seals or liquifying grease or at the least blowing some of the nitrogen charge and forming a vacuum when it cools then possibly pulling humidity in past the seals. I'm just trying to think of all the bad things that can happen when heating something that isn't meant to be exposed to high temps
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

Most people use the C Series (air cure)Cerakote. I here that it's not a durable than the H series but harder than anodizing. I had the same concerns until I found out about the air cure type.
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

I have used duracoat which if using the air cure cerakote its about the same.

Knowing your way around a machine shop doesnt have anything to do with cerakote or duracoat

I have been painting automotive finishes for about 10 years has a hobby and playing with an airbrush for about the same amount of time.

You need to use quality tools to do the job right. Also with any paint project 90% of the finish is in the prep.

This was me goofing off a few weeks ago. Nothing special and not an example of fine work but hey its a 10/22.

1022.jpg



All that being said my next job is going to ARP also known as ontargetcustom.net here on the hide. Even though I know my way around these types of things. I'm not going to risk screwing up thousands of dollars of gear.
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sprayed99</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

1022.jpg

</div></div>


That looks bad ass! Nice work bro
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

I've done the H-Series Cerakote per their recommendations on a GRSC 1-4x scope. I only took it up to 170 or 180 degrees F, which is what your scope is supposd to be able to withstand if you leave it in the sun.

The air-cure is another easy rattle-can option.

I do a ton of prep before Cerakoting, focusing on degreasing, handling with gloves, acetone bath, and hanging in my spray cabinet that I built. I have a ton of hooks made specifically for the cabinet and the oven, and transfering between the two is one of the most critical points where patience and more patience is your friend.

DSCF0286.jpg


For a scope, it's good practice to clean the lenses with manufacturer recommended procedures. I use a dry optics brush, and a clean micro-fiber lens cloth.

DSCF0292.jpg


I remove the batteries from the illumination module, and the spare batteries which are in the GRSC knob caps.

I then make foam inserts for the ocular and objective ends, wedge them firmly into place, and wipe down the exterior body of the tube with a cleaner, then remove any residue with acetone on a micro-fiber cloth that doesn't shed lint or fiber.

I hung the GRSC in my cabinet with the mount, and air-brushed it with FDE, checking with intense, full, white light and daylight to ensure coverage. I then carefully removed the lens foam inserts, as I didn't want foam melting in the oven. It is very tricky dealing with a sprayed, un-baked part, as a smudge has to be baked, then ground off, and re-sprayed. I used tweezers to remove the foam inserts as the scope hung in the cabinet, thereby avoiding any smudging of the surface.

I then transfered to the oven, and baked at low temp for maybe 45 minutes.

The last time I shot with the scope, I was getting .5 MOA vertical spread, and maybe .75-.8 MOA horizontal with a beater 5.56 carbine that has an AR Performance melonited barrel in it, pushing 69gr SMK's on top of N140 or TAC IIRC.

For the S&B with the rubber mag ring, I would highly suggest going the air-cure rattle can route. You would probably warp the rubber magnification ring, which needs to be taped off anyway.

Yes, I did the painful work on the blaster in the pics as well, which took 10 days of full-time slave labor. I won't do one of those again unless I get a sado-masochist streak and feel like punishing myself for no good reason.

DSCF0289.jpg
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

I've worked with cerakote about 6-7 times now and it's not hard by any means, but like others have said...the prep work is what will decide if you do well or real shitty.

I would not want to have my first attempt at cerakote, be on a scope of that quality. Practice a few times on something, even if it's just scrap metal. Make sure you remember to spray it heavy enough to give it a wet look, but NOT so heavy that it starts to run. It's a pretty fine line, but too much will run, and not enough will give it a slightly rough texture. Hard and smooth is what you're after.

There is nothing about the job that requires sending it to a "pro" unless you simply don't have the equipment, or desire a detailed fancy pattern and arent "artsy".

I would always suggest the C-Series (air cure) for doing an optic, but you could get by using H-Series if you so choose. I've seen a lot of numbers floating around the net about a temp and a time to bake it...but I would suggest calling NIC's and getting their recommendations on doing a scope. My last contact with them, suggested 1/2 the temp for twice the time...but don't take my word for it. Call them or stick with air cure.
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

LRRPF52 and c_bass16 - That is the kind of feedback I was looking for! Yes, I understand that you can screw up a scope really easy but I wanted some insight on some various experiences. To tell you the truth, I have be eyeing some of the fine work of the referrals above and might just save myself the headache and ship it out but your votes of confidence are keeping me on the fence. It looks like a fun project. Knock on wood - I've had excellent results on every "amateur" gunsmithing project I've taken on and with some patience i think I can pull it off. Thanks again!
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hosshunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">LRRPF52 and c_bass16 - That is the kind of feedback I was looking for! Yes, I understand that you can screw up a scope really easy but I wanted some insight on some various experiences. To tell you the truth, I have be eyeing some of the fine work of the referrals above and might just save myself the headache and ship it out but your votes of confidence are keeping me on the fence. It looks like a fun project. Knock on wood - I've had excellent results on every "amateur" gunsmithing project I've taken on and with some patience i think I can pull it off. Thanks again! </div></div>

If you do not have any of the spray equipment please PM me and maybe we can get together and I can let you use my stuff since you are also in North TX
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

Thanks for the offer. I just might take you up on it! I'm jut up the road in McKinney. I have a Badger due action airbrush at my shop but not a LPHV/touchup gun. I am hearing those are better for Cerakote.

My biggest question is how you guys have dealt with the weeping of o-ring grease (particularly at the magnification ring)after degreasing without drying out the rings. I realize I can remove turrets and mask but some stuff is just not going to be coming apart.

Also thinking that a sacrificial lens shade might be the ticket for handling and standing it up for curing. I guess I could mask that too and save it if I don't put any holes in it.
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hosshunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the offer. I just might take you up on it! I'm jut up the road in McKinney. I have a Badger due action airbrush at my shop but not a LPHV/touchup gun. I am hearing those are better for Cerakote.

My biggest question is how you guys have dealt with the weeping of o-ring grease (particularly at the magnification ring)after degreasing without drying out the rings. I realize I can remove turrets and mask but some stuff is just not going to be coming apart.

Also thinking that a sacrificial lens shade might be the ticket for handling and standing it up for curing. I guess I could mask that too and save it if I don't put any holes in it. </div></div>

personally I use Iwata airbrushes. Yes a small touchup gun is the ticket for larger items. I use a SATA minijet that really does a killer job. I just degrease well and let air dry. Then I use acetone and a wipeall. Last I swipe over the item with a tac rag and then get to tossin paint around.

In all honesty PM "ARP" and ask him for a price. You will be surprised at his pricing vs the cost for you to do it. You wont save much by doing it yourself. I could easily paint my new rifle myself but factoring all the costs it was not much more to send it to him and keep me from possibly fubar'in all my gear up.
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

US Optics offers to Cerakote their scopes as an option.
Does any know if it is an Air Cure process or the Oven Baked process.

Also is the Cerakote option that US Optics performs on their scopes tougher than the Type III anod. they do??
 
Re: Cerakote Scope

I do not know what type of Cerakote they use but I would hope they go with the oven baked as they can cure the individual pieces before assembly. Maybe running the post up the list will get you some more informative answers.