Cerakote on polymer frames.

[_TomT_]

Hi, debating if I wanted to cerakote some of my polymer pistol frames. Anyone have any experience with having their Glocks, HK, etc. cerakoted? Kinda want to know if anyone experience any problems, things like it flaking off, areas left uncoated or discolorations? Also how durable has the job been for you and if you can recommend an applicator in the SoCal area.

[glock_this]

Here is my XDsc ckoted FDE.

1 thing I found, with FDE, any cuts or nicks in the frame will stand out in FDE and not really seen in black. So, be aware of that. Had I considered that, I might have tried to fix a few little dings.

In the end, ckote is about as good as it gets for aftermarket. It is, however, still paint so it can be damaged. Whereas a factory color might be IN the polymer so the polymer is FDE so a nick or cut or scrape just reveals more FDE. A nick or cut or scrape in ckote will reveal the original color.

But anyway, ckote is the way to go generally.

[CodyGT46]

I don't know of any places in SoCal to have your cerakote done, but I can attest to it being pretty tough and works well on polymer guns. Like glockthis said if you go a lighter color you will see nicks and stuff on your gun if it has some.

I went a different route than than most, I decided to have my Glock 19 done in arctic white, I call it the storm trooper.

[_TomT_]

Both look really good, I really wanted to get my Glocks done in FDE after I do a grip reduction. I just am a little hesitant because I tend to not baby my guns that much.

[fmunk]

Hi, debating if I wanted to cerakote some of my polymer pistol frames. Anyone have any experience with having their Glocks, HK, etc. cerakoted? Kinda want to know if anyone experience any problems, things like it flaking off, areas left uncoated or discolorations? Also how durable has the job been for you and if you can recommend an applicator in the SoCal area.

It's fine on polymer. http://occustomcoating.com. For other authorized applicators use this link on the Cerakote site: http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/resource/locator/.

Cerakote applies thinner than any other paints (Duracoat, Gunkote etc) and is far more durable. This isn't to say it will never chip or flake off with heavy use. It will. It just won't do so as easily as the others. You are probably now hesitant knowing it can still wear off. Don't worry. You really have to beat on it to induce wear. Plus, this is how you have to look at it, imperfections add character. If you want it to stay pristine, don't shoot the gun. But, then, what's the point of having a gun and not shoot it?

[_TomT_]

It's fine on polymer. http://occustomcoating.com. For other authorized applicators use this link on the Cerakote site: http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/resource/locator/.

Cerakote applies thinner than any other paints (Duracoat, Gunkote etc) and is far more durable. This isn't to say it will never chip or flake off with heavy use. It will. It just won't do so as easily as the others. You are probably now hesitant knowing it can still wear off. Don't worry. You really have to beat on it to induce wear. Plus, this is how you have to look at it, imperfections add character. If you want it to stay pristine, don't shoot the gun. But, then, what's the point of having a gun and not shoot it?

Ahh, thank you. Well I own metal guns, I know how easily those scar up. I guess I'll try emailing them, they seem to be very well reviewed going from a few posts here on Calguns.

[fmunk]

Ahh, thank you. Well I own metal guns, I know how easily those scar up. I guess I'll try emailing them, they seem to be very well reviewed going from a few posts here on Calguns.

Call them. They get tons of emails per day and too many things to Cerakote. Guess which they'll get to first.

[glock_this]

This guy did mine. He is in "socal" but you are in LA and I am in SD.

[ramathorn]

It works great. If you holster a lot it will wear but that's to be expected, any finish will.
I just recoated this one with Cerakote (Tungsten) about five or six months ago. No wear spots yet and its holstered daily.

[_TomT_]

Call them. They get tons of emails per day and too many things to Cerakote. Guess which they'll get to first.

I'll call them and see if I can mail in the frame. Question, do they want me to strip the entire frame or will they be able to do that. I wouldn't worry about stripping a Glock but a VP9 is way more complicated.

[darkjedi351]

I had Griswold bros I ventura and oc custom coatings cerakote a couple of guns. the coating on my bcm grip and magpul stock still look like they did 4 years ago when they were first coated. I'd say it's durable enough.
I stripped everything down before mailing or dropping off the parts but that's just me.

[fmunk]

That depends entirely on how they'd like to work. If they have to strip, I'd imagine they'd charge you a disassembly fee. If I were you, I'd do the stripping and only send in the item(s) you wish to be coated. Less chance for someone else to lose your parts.

Here is my M&P 45. Not done by OC Custom Coating but by Hal's Customs (who is no longer in business). Stippling is done by damatocustomstippling.com in Arizona. As you can see, 4 years later the cerakote still look fresh. I have used OC Custom Coating recently (near xmas) and while their prices are not the lowest, their work and customer service was top notch.

[_TomT_]

I had Griswold bros I vetura and oc custom coatings cerakote a couple of guns. the coating on my bcm grip and magpul stock still look like they did 4 years ago when they were first coated. I'd say it's durable enough.
I stripped everything down before mailing or dropping off the parts but that's just me.

I might drive up on my days off to see Griswold Bros, I saw some of their works on the Cerakote website, looks pretty great.

[Ironmaiden66]

Polymer is one of cerakotes best friends. You can even get away without bead blasting with polymer and just rough the surface up a bit with some light sand paper, degrease thouroughly and your good to go in my experience. Bake at 180 degrees for 2.5-3 hours.

[_TomT_]

That depends entirely on how they'd like to work. If they have to strip, I'd imagine they'd charge you a disassembly fee. If I were you, I'd do the stripping and only send in the item(s) you wish to be coated. Less chance for someone else to lose your parts.

Here is my M&P 45. Not done by OC Custom Coating but by Hal's Customs (who is no longer in business). Stippling is done by damatocustomstippling.com in Arizona. As you can see, 4 years later the cerakote still look fresh. I have used OC Custom Coating recently (near xmas) and while their prices are not the lowest, their work and customer service was top notch.

Great looking pistol, can't wait to get my VP9 done in a similar fashion. I am trying to figure out the colors HK used for their tan/brown however. HK calls it baby diarrhea, I can't seem to find it at the cerakote website.