Gunsmithing Cerakoting over Electroless Nickel ???

[Hellbender]

I have an aluminum framed Officer's Model Colt that I had electroless nickeled (E.N.) many years ago.

I want to Cerakote this pistol, but blasting off the old E.N. is NOT an option. The E.N. is in good shape, but discolored from years of sweat. I don't want to chemically strip the whole pistol.

It would be impossible to blast off the old E.N. in all the holes and crevasses, and anything left would peel at the edges.

Is there some kind of a mild acid etch I could do, instead of blasting, to prep the pistol for Cerakoting?

I may just hand scuff the outer surfaces with a Scotchbrite pad if I have to.

Any options and all opinions appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[nzgrip]

Re: Cerakoting over Electroless Nickel ???

No need to completely strip the nikel, you just need to lightly blast it to take the shine off so the paint will stick. Could just scotch brite it, but easier to blast it to get into all the tight spots.