Gunsmithing Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

[b7tac]

I am thinking about trying my hand with cerakote on my M&P .45 frame. I know on the slide media blasting is a must, but what about the polymer?

Can I just degrease really well and go for it? Or do I need to do a light media blast on the polymer frame?

 

[Mark Housel]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: b7tac</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am thinking about trying my hand with cerakote on my M&P .45 frame. I know on the slide media blasting is a must, but what about the polymer?

Can I just degrease really well and go for it? Or do I need to do a light media blast on the polymer frame? </div></div>

I don't know about <span style="font-weight: bold">required</span>, or not, but I have always lightly blasted polymer frames before Cerakote. These were all Glocks, but I suppose the material is very similar.

 

[Redcreek1]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

Yes, you should blast the polymer frame for maximum adhesion.

Turn you pressure down to the 40 -50psi range and give it a thorough blast, then blow it off with air really well.

Below is an M&P I just whipped up for myself. (Then a friend insisted he had to have it, seems to be my luck lately…)

Good luck.

-E

 

[b7tac]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

Thanks for the replies - let me ask you this now:

Since blasting the frame only require 40-50 psi, can I get away with using a small (6 gallon) compressor for the blasting?

 

[Mark Housel]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: b7tac</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the replies - let me ask you this now:

Since blasting the frame only require 40-50 psi, can I get away with using a small (6 gallon) compressor for the blasting? </div></div>
You might have to wait for it to fill more often but so long as you are able to maintain pressure at the blaster, then you should be GTG.

 

[Redcreek1]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark Housel</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: b7tac</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the replies - let me ask you this now:

Since blasting the frame only require 40-50 psi, can I get away with using a small (6 gallon) compressor for the blasting? </div></div>
You might have to wait for it to fill more often but so long as you are able to maintain pressure at the blaster, then you should be GTG. </div></div>

+1

 

[b7tac]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

[/quote] You might have to wait for it to fill more often but so long as you are able to maintain pressure at the blaster, then you should be GTG. [/quote]

My compressor is only 100psi. I don't mind waiting for the tank to refill as long as it works. Like stated earlier, I am only going to do the polymer frame lightly, so it shouldn't give me much hassle.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

Proper surface prep dictates 100-120 grit blast surface prep.
Here is a few polymer framed guns we did.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedCreek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, you should blast the polymer frame for maximum adhesion.</div></div>

RedCreek,

Is that bake or air dry? And if bake, what temp/time did you use. We use 375 for 45 minutes for actions, but I'm pretty sure that won't fly for plastic.

And have you painted the rubbery grips? Will they hold Cerakote? Slowly building up the nerve to do my pistol.

John

 

[Redcreek1]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrob300</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedCreek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, you should blast the polymer frame for maximum adhesion.</div></div>

RedCreek,

Is that bake or air dry? And if bake, what temp/time did you use. We use 375 for 45 minutes for actions, but I'm pretty sure that won't fly for plastic.

And have you painted the rubbery grips? Will they hold Cerakote? Slowly building up the nerve to do my pistol.

John </div></div>

John

The M&P is donein Cerakote H-Series Mil-Spec Green and Graphite Black. The backstrap is also coated and the cured Carakote makes the backstrap harder and provides a more aggressive grip when you coat over the stippling. Not all polymer frames can be baked, but all the major brand pistols, Glock, S&W, SIG, XD's, etc are fine to bake.

Bake for two hours at between 150 and 200 degrees and keep the frame well away from exposed burners if you dont have a professional curing oven.

Good luck.

-Ernie

 

[jrob300]

Re: Cerakote on M&P .45 frame

Ernie,

Thanks for the response. I will definitely try this. I have my son's 1911 and my EDC knife to do, so will shoot it at the same time.

John