Gunsmithing Preparing aluminum for Cerakote

[wchartz]

What is the proper way to prepare hard anodized aluminum for Cerakote?

 

[mildot326]

First wash or "degrease" the part, for "prep" sand blast using 100 grit, dial down the psi to 20-25(steel is 90-100 for comparison), if the part had lots of oil, off gas it in the oven for about an hr before painting. You only need to lightly "scuff" the part, don't go crazy and try to remove all the anodizing. Just look for a light change in the color, this part is hard to explain in writing. BTW once you sand blast don't handle the part with you hands, use gloves till it comes out of the oven. Cheers

 

[finefire]

Anodizing produces a very rough surface during the change from AL to oxide - generally the higher the voltage, the rougher the finish - true type 3 is, generally, very rough - take a look with a microscope . For T3, we degrease & final wash with alcohol. We have never had "flake off" which is the true indication of poor surface binding.

 

[Rockfish Dave]

Anodizing produces a very rough surface during the change from AL to oxide - generally the higher the voltage, the rougher the finish - true type 3 is, generally, very rough - take a look with a microscope . For T3, we degrease & final wash with alcohol. We have never had "flake off" which is the true indication of poor surface binding.

+1 To his comment.