Cerakote woes

H

hvguy

Inactive
Hi all, new here. I can typically google around and find a couple of opinions that give me a fairly certain answer to my problems, today just isn't one of those days.

I bought a new 2015 10" desert eagle the other day (2 months ago). After a day at the range with only about 32 rounds fired I decided to call it a day and head home. Seeing as that I had cleaned it the minute I got it, I opted to store it dirty for a few days until I got some free time.

A few days came and went, the time came to really dig in,clean it, learn about it, adjust a few things and really get to know it. To my surprise; the factory coating was rusting quick. Now, I live in south texas where its always humid and I understand that this will happen, however none of my other guns present this problem.... No big deal, Ill have it cerakoted.

This is where I need your help:
I took it to a fairly reputable shop (by reputable, I mean I google around and didnt see or hear anything bad about them) Chose the colors I wanted, explained how I want the finish and the process started. Once they did a test spray to get the color right, I opted to have my glock slide coated as well; seeing as its been my CCW for nearly 4 years and the finish is long gone.

They finished the glock slide first and still had a few parts to do on the deagle, so I picked it up, assembled it in my truck and wore it around for the next 2 days only to notice on day 2; the finish had worn off and had scratches from my plastic SERPA holster.

No big deal, maybe he screwed up, just so happens im human to. When I went to pick up the deagle I noticed the coating on the safety lever was easily scratched off with my fingernail..... this is when I presented the slide. He said it was my holster and I need to replace it. Funny how the factory coating lasted 2+ years without a scratch.

He re-coated it in what I belive is called moly-kote? Long story short, its ruined. Even where my shirt rubs against the outside (right handed) its rubbed off.

Back to the deagle: he re-sprayed the safety lever, the problem still exists, the gun lives either in a leather holster or its plastic case, it no longer functions correctly (failure to feed) and its only had 30 or so rounds cycled through it.

Now my question:

1. Is cerakote really this crappy?

2. Is moly-kote just as bad?

3. Do you think its the application or what; thats causing this problem.

These pictures were just taken:

Thanks again for all your help! Sorry so long winded.



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Personally, I hate the stuff! While I might not like the look of guns with a melonite type finish (i.e. Glock), it holds up. I prefer the look and feel of metal. I think these coatings completely devalue guns in the long run, look bad after substantial use and don't offer much protection either.

I just never got why people gravitate toward painted/coated guns. To each his own, I suppose. I have a couple of shiny stainless steel guns and some people scratch their head at why I would want such a thing!:D
 
Im not big on it either, especially on handguns. Much rather have a hard use finish, like Tenifer/Melonite, hard chrome, etc.

Rifles/Shotguns I will and do paint, but the usage is different, and the paint provides multiple pluses.
 
I guess you could call it character lol, and no they aren't certified. Well, I guess everybody has to learn their lesson, just hoping it doesn't cost that much.

The deagle isn't bad, but my glock is pretty much toast. I'll go by there tomorrow and see what the word it.

I had some bullet cases coated in ptfe. I 're sized them and they are pretty slick and don't scratch. I'm thinking of trying that next.
 
I'd call it improper prep.
With ANY finish or refinishing, if you do not degrease & properly clean, paint/finishes won't stick.
That's just painting basics 101...also kinda important for Bluing/etc...

The gunsmith may have skills, but Cerakote doesn't look to be one of them.

I'd take it as a lesson learned, and go find a CERTIFIED applicator.
 
Gee- it's paint. What did you expect?
Gun paint durability is only slightly greater than bluing.
Click to expand...
I've applied KG/Brownells Gunkote to many of my guns and none show that kind of wear. Even using kydex holsters.

This kind of stuff should be way more durable than your average 'paint'.
 
Cerakote is a ceramic coating, not paint. Doesn't rust. The factory finish shouldn't rust that fast either. Even in extreme humidity.
However, like hoghunting says, I'd bet it was done by a guy who bought the kit and opened a shop.
 
Cerakote is paint with ceramic powder added. The base is still a paint.
A true ceramic coating would have to be baked at over 2000 degrees for the ceramic to fuse.

Gun paints can be good finishes, but not as good as plating or nitriding. For the same or a little more money, one of these lifetime finishes can be applied.
If you want colors or camo, paint is your only option.
 
I have one pistol that has cerakote on it... a Sig 226 scorpion. Sure, it doesn't get abused or treated roughly, but I have had no issues, and find the finish tough.

Even the slide rails, after many hundreds of rounds, show only light wear.


Cerakote done right is very tough for an applied finish.

Plating type finishes will be tougher in the long run though.
 
That is the result of poor prep work. Cerakote is extremely durable when done correctly. If the parts are not properly degreased and bead blasted, the Cerakote will not have a nice, clean surface to adhere to and will scrape/peel right off.
 
I opted to have my glock slide coated as well; seeing as its been my CCW for nearly 4 years and the finish is long gone.
Click to expand...
Glock 3 or Glock 4?
I would be incredibly impressed if you wore out the factory finish of a Glock in that time frame with normal use. Even outright neglect usually results in limited finish wear on a Glock.
When you holster/un-holster a Glock the finish will wear somewhat at the contact points of the holster. This is just aesthetic and to be expected.

Unless it has the Glock 4 finish which isn't so well regarded.

I'd like to see a photo of a cerakoted EDC that 'looks like the day it was coated' after four years. I haven't been impressed with the photos I have seen.
 
Cerakote surface prep is far more complicated than most people think.
Too many non-authorized or untrained people just clean, bead blast, spray on the finish and bake. Then wonder why it isn't any good.

Take a read on the Cerakote web site on how THEY do prep and application and you'll see how involved it really is.

Cerakote is an extremely durable finish, far more than any other of the paint type finishes, but it's only as good as the person applying it. They say it's a polymer-ceramic coating. Most of the paint type finishes are epoxy paints:

http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/resources/files/Cerakote H_C Series Training Manual 82415WEB.pdf
 
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