Cerakoting Baer 1911

[jcaoloveshine]

Pistol has about 5000 rounds through it, wondering if there's any issue with cerakoting tighter toleranced pistols?

There's some slide/frame play now, but it still locks up quite well. Looking to hear from anyone whose had a tight 1911 cerakoted and if there were any reliability issues after.

[skosh69]

Contact Rob at ACW, Alchemy Custom Works. Rob and the gang are the best at working over Baers. http://1911doctor.com/

[DarkSoul]

I've coated 1911s on all ends of the spectrum, on looser guns like a Rock Island, they actually can to some extent get a little tighter because of the Cerakote buildup. On tight guns, Baer, Wilson, STI etc, they either need to have the rails masked, or be lapped back in. It's not too much of a time suck either way, but it will add a bit of expense.

[nahpungnome]

I had my Baer PII hard chromed by Baer and it's pretty nice if the color doesn't bug you. I only did it because the inside of my magwell started to rust a bit. Otherwise I was fine with the bluing and I like the way it wears.

What color were you thinking of getting the Cerakote? If it's black, you may want to look into Severn's Hard Hat treatment/Melonite.

I was pondering Robar NP3, but after speaking with Rob at Alchemy, he said it scratches easily and suggested hard chrome or Hard Hat/Melonite.

[darkjedi351]

I had OC custom coating cerakote my SA loaded 1911 black on the outside and microslick on the inside.
it's slicker than snot on a glass door knob!

[dls]

I coted my super-tac with ionbond,if you're doing black,it's an excellent option.
And I think they have a few other colors now also,like FDE and others.
Way more durable than cerakote.,the barrel and ejection area are still
Un-scratched, cerakote would be worn off.

[SkyHawk]

I have a late 90's Sig P226 40SW that I just picked up and need the frame only refinished. I was also going to cerakote but wondered about masking off the rails.

I was going to change the color of the frame to FDE, so I would prefer to spray the rails too if possible. Won't be touching the slide or barrel though...

[DarkSoul]

I have no experience with ionbond, but from what I have read, it seems like a lot of hype, on several other forums, I have read many reports of it scratching easily and in some cases flaking off. This is only what I have read, I encourage you to do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

One thing I would suggest, is to look at the wear and tear on said guns. If they are only ever bench shot (no holster wear, never "abused" so to speak, not much of a test).

I have been using Cerakote for many years now, and I can say from personal experience, it's pretty damn tough, it certainly isn't perfect, but then again find something that is, but it has held up better than anything else I have used previously.

On the cost issue, from what I can see, it's about twice the cost of Cerakote (just the coating cost, not including disassembly/reassembly etc).

Last, color selection, if your after black or FDE, or maybe one or two other colors available in ionbond, sort of a moot point, but if you want something else, almost infinite choice of colors in Cerakore.

Again, I am of course somewhat biased, so I encourage you to bust out your best Google-fu and see what you can find for yourself.

And for what it's worth

http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/resources/files/testing/Abrasion.pdf

[dls]

I have no experience with ionbond, but from what I have read, it seems like a lot of hype, on several other forums, I have read many reports of it scratching easily and in some cases flaking off. This is only what I have read, I encourage you to do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

One thing I would suggest, is to look at the wear and tear on said guns. If they are only ever bench shot (no holster wear, never "abused" so to speak, not much of a test).

I have been using Cerakote for many years now, and I can say from personal experience, it's pretty damn tough, it certainly isn't perfect, but then again find something that is, but it has held up better than anything else I have used previously.

On the cost issue, from what I can see, it's about twice the cost of Cerakote (just the coating cost, not including disassembly/reassembly etc).

Last, color selection, if your after black or FDE, or maybe one or two other colors available in ionbond, sort of a moot point, but if you want something else, almost infinite choice of colors in Cerakore.

Again, I am of course somewhat biased, so I encourage you to bust out your best Google-fu and see what you can find for yourself.

And for what it's worth
http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/r...g/Abrasion.pdf

It seems I've read some of that on forums also.

But they also ionbond industrial parts and use it for internal engine part coatings. I guess if it's done correctly,it must be doing ok. Like I said, my 1911 is completely coted berral and all,and is not worn even on the berral lock up area. Granted, I have less than 3000 rounds through it.

I only have cerakote on 3 ARs. its scratch from mounting optics bipods and VFGs and wears on the ejection deflector area and pivot points. Not a big deal,but it is what it is.
They put ionbod on BCGs. I doubt cerakote would hold up to one day of that.

That's just my experience with both coatings.

[jcj]

I wouldn't...I had a Baer that was so tight, you needed to pull the hammer back to rack the slide.

If the new ones are anywhere close, you could be inviting problems.

[L84CABO]

I had my Baer PII hard chromed by Baer and it's pretty nice if the color doesn't bug you. I only did it because the inside of my magwell started to rust a bit. Otherwise I was fine with the bluing and I like the way it wears.

What color were you thinking of getting the Cerakote? If it's black, you may want to look into Severn's Hard Hat treatment/Melonite.

I was pondering Robar NP3, but after speaking with Rob at Alchemy, he said it scratches easily and suggested hard chrome or Hard Hat/Melonite.

Still watch your magwell. It's a high wear area and you can wear through the chrome. Ask me how I know.

[krisjon]

At it's most basic level, cerakote is fancy, baked-on spray paint that has a tendency to go on less evenly than other metal treatments/coatings. I would tread lightly with cerakote on a tight gun and if you do go with it, use a very experienced applier/shop. It seems everyone is doing cerakote these days and most of the jobs I see are poorly done.

Might want to reach out to Rob at Alchemy (http://1911doctor.com/).
He used to work for Baer, as well as Springfield Custom Shop, and could probably recommend the best coatings and sources for your Baer.
If anyone knows, it's him.

Don't mess up a good gun.

[heidad01]

At it's most basic level, cerakote is fancy, baked-on spray paint that has a tendency to go on less evenly than other metal treatments/coatings. I would tread lightly with cerakote on a tight gun and if you do go with it, use a very experienced applier/shop. It seems everyone is doing cerakote these days and most of the jobs I see are poorly done.

Might want to reach out to Rob at Alchemy (http://1911doctor.com/).
He used to work for Baer, as well as Springfield Custom Shop, and could probably recommend the best coatings and sources for your Baer.
If anyone knows, it's him.

Don't mess up a good gun.

^^^ This

I would not get cerakote on anything high end. May be on a RIA or similar inexpensive guns with very cheap finishes to begin with. That is because anything is one step up.

Cosider Hard Chrome, NP3, Ionbond, Electroless Nickel plating, or other high end plating processes for a high end guns. Talk to Tecplate in Anaheim, they have several high grade processes that will be adequate for a LB.

[Snoopy47]

[darkjedi351]

^^^ This

I would not get cerakote on anything high end. May be on a RIA or similar inexpensive guns with very cheap finishes to begin with. That is because anything is one step up.

Cosider Hard Chrome, NP3, Ionbond, Electroless Nickel plating, or other high end plating processes for a high end guns. Talk to Tecplate in Anaheim, they have several high grade processes that will be adequate for a LB.

Griswold bros would disagree with you since they use it on their hi-end bolt guns