Gunsmithing Unique Cerakote Question

[buds444]

I know this is against the typical procedure but I would like to know none the less.

With H series is it possible to let the coating dry overnight and then proceed to cure it in an oven without having to hang the parts carefully. This would make life much easier for small parts and little things that are a pain to hang.

I know what the instructions say and that I'd have to worry about dust and particles messing it up while drying but I'm very curious to know. Thanks for the help.

 

[Redcreek1]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

You idenified one of the main issues which is dust and dirt getting on the coating.

The other is having metal elements of rack in direct contact with the part as it cures, which could cause marks or other discoloration of the Carakote.

However, I hear of people doing it that way and getting away with it...

 

[heycorey]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

When painting with duracoat, I found it useful to sink small parts (like screws and such) into floral foam blocks. With screws, you don't want the threads getting coated anyways. And you can do a bunch of small parts at once. Jam them in the foam, spray them and then put them in the oven. If you want to the whole part, wait for the first coat to cure, then turn the part around and repeat.

I don't think that kind of foam would hold up to the higher cure temps for cerakote, but there might be another type of material that you could use to the same thing.

 

[buds444]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

Think using a different substrate to rest the part on would help? Say rather than using the metal racks use a piece of wood?

 

[blksno]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

I have a very similar question I just sent directly to NICs.

I want to know if it's better to bake each layer of a camo pattern as it's completed OR if it would be better to just let it air cure for a few hours, and then apply the next layer and so on and so on eventually baking it one time at the end.

 

[buds444]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

Not interested in placing anywhere while wet. I wish to dry hanging after I paint. Then once dry bake to cure. Question pertains only to h series cerakote.

My question regarding using a different material to place an already air dried piece is in response to redcreek mentioning there may be issues with discoloring or marks.

 

[Redcreek1]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

Brandon,

One of the good things about coating is that you can re-coat...

So, I would try it and if it works great, if not blast it back down and try something different.

If I were going to set it on a metal grate to bake, I would bake it at a lower temp longer and see if it works.

-E

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

We hang our parts to spray them. It's only natural to hold them by the hooks and place them right into the oven as soon as it's sprayed. For little parts we wire them all together like a daisy chain. Little screws just get a twist of wire around them with a space and a twist around the next little thing. Might have 20 parts on one wire. I don't get how you're spraying your parts where you want to set them on something before you cook them.

 

[buds444]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

More curiosity than anything. Also I'm just breaking into h series and only have a little midget oven which makes it tough to hang stuff easily. Possible, just not easy. So if it were possible to take let's say a glock barrel, coat it and dry it hanging, and then once dry just lay it in my oven and cure it, I'm all about that. I'm gonna try some testing this weekend if I can pull it to see how it turns out. I'll report my findings.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

No need to lay it down. Put the rack in your kitchen oven as high as you can. Put a hook through one of your rubber stoppers and hang it short under the top rack. I did a bunch of pistols in the kitchen oven. My question is if you don't have a proper oven what are you using to blast your parts with? 120 grit Aluminum oxide was the hardest thing I found to come up with.

 

[buds444]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

Blast cabinet was easy and my first purchase. Duracoat and C Series cerakote require it so it was a no brainer. The oven is proving more frustrating, but i'm getting there. I just need to break and build my own.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

At one time we were suspending 18" barrels horizontally in the kitchen oven. Cewrakote bakes VOC free so no smell no nothing. Perfectly safe in your wifes cake oven.

Shawn

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hired Gun</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> 120 grit Aluminum oxide was the hardest thing I found to come up with. </div></div>

I JUST found a local distributor who has every media type under the sun and will fill a flat rate box to keep shipping low. I just bought some 120 garnet to try and had enough cash left out of a $20 for a cheeseburger.

I am sure I can't post his info without a schlap, but I will share if interested. Dude also has some blast cabinet upgrades that have good reviews.

 

[buds444]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

I've just been using harbor freight 80 grit and been very pleased. A little lower pressure and so far I haven't had any issues.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

I would be interested in any blast cabinet mods. What can he do for one?

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Unique Cerakote Question

I will screw it up if I try to repeat it. Basically he mods the valves and gun to a hvlp style. He mods the hopper to a bottom feed so about 4lbs of media will cycle.....and some other stuff. He is all about media blasting. I stopped by his shop and he made me feel like an idiot pertaining to blasting.....and we have been blasting for 25 years....lol.

I do not have his card on me but I will pm his info to you. I believe if you search for tacoma inc or tacoma company it gets you to his stuff. He is in mead Washington