Firearms Coating

[Just Jeremy]

Prep Work

For Cerakote, what finish should the raw aluminum have? ...I'm in the process of finishing an AR 15 80% Lower, and would like to have it Cerakoted when the machining is done.

 

[Just Jeremy]

Thickness

Thank you

When I machine my 80% Lower, how much oversize/undersize should I allow for Cerakote?

 

[AllenM]

.0015 to .002 is sufficient. Unless you plan on using a colr with a high amount of white pigment.......... then maybe .010.

 

[Just Jeremy]

.0015 to .002 is sufficient. Unless you plan on using a colr with a high amount of white pigment.......... then maybe .010.

What sort of prep needs to be done? I have the New Frontier Armory 80% Lower. Their machining was definitely intended for fast production, then it appears to have just been tumbled in some big media.


At any rate, I have a lot of hand finishing to do. Is it best to final prep with a blast media, or would a 400 or 600 Grit sand paper finish be plenty good?


I don't know much about Cerakote or it's properties, such as flow or fill, etc.


Thanks for your time.

I finally figured out what was blocking Cerakote's website, and I found lots of good info here: https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/resources/files/Cerakote H_C Series Training Manual 22316WEB.pdf

 

[AllenM]

It is necessary to sand blast it. not bead blast. You can get away with using play sand. I use 90 grit aluminum oxide to blast with.
Cerakote needs to have a surface to bite into. If you go to Cerakotes website they have instructions for the whole process