New to Cerakote

[Fire4718]

So I'm looking at wanting to do a very detailed and unique customization process for my Glock because in my opinion the standard factory issue is ugly as all hell (personal opinion as I know some like the look). With that being said, I want to know the possibilities cerakoting has to offer. Can you make specific designs? Can you do images? What's the difference between hydro dipping? Can you do both Cerakote and hydro dipping? Etc. For the concept I had in mind, I was looking at a skin I thought looks beautiful, albeit it only exists via a video game, but I think bringing it to life might be a very cool aesthetic I can bring to personalize this otherwise blank canvas.

Google search: Constellation MP5 weapon skin
Or you can Google search: Constellation F90 weapon skin

I chose these 2 as templates since they have a lot of polymer that accurately can represent what kind of design I'd like to give my Glock. Again, just questions relating to cerakoting or hydrodipping and certain trade offs that can occur.

[ar15barrels]

Cerakote is a 2 part epoxylike paint that is sprayed on.
So you can be creative as you are able with an airbrush.
Cerakote is cured with heat.
Cerakoat is ideal for solid colors or patterns that are usually done by masking and spraying multiple layers or freehand airbrush detail work over a base layer.

Hydrodipping is a printed film that is floated on top of a tank of water and then the part is pushed through the film to get it to adhere and the excess is trimmed off before the part is cured.is
Hydrodipping is ideal for images.

It is very unlikely that you would ever combine hydrodipping with Cerakote unless you were talking about hydrodipping a stock and cerakoating an action but those are separate pieces so it's not like you were really combining them because each part was run through only a single process.

[Fire4718]

Is hydrodipped prices more susceptible to wear? I hear cerakote is ceramic infused paint hence why its corrosion and chemical resistant. I assume hydrodipping doesnt share those same benefits?

[ar15barrels]

Is hydrodipped prices more susceptible to wear? I hear cerakote is ceramic infused paint hence why its corrosion and chemical resistant. I assume hydrodipping doesnt share those same benefits?

Cerakote is MUCH tougher than hydrodipping.
Cerakote is also MUCH thinner.
It does not build-up a part's dimensions enough to cause fit problems in most cases.

Hydrodipping is thick and chips easily in my experience.
You only use hydrodip on the OUTSIDE of things as it would be too thick for any internal parts of most guns.

If durability is a concern, Cerakote is the answer.
If graphics are more important than durability, Hydrodipping is the answer.

[Fire4718]

Is there realistically anyway to make a carbon fiber finish with Cerakote?

[ar15barrels]

Is there realistically anyway to make a carbon fiber finish with Cerakote?

Not inexpensively.

[Tasty]

Is there realistically anyway to make a carbon fiber finish with Cerakote?

Just about anything can be done with cerakote. It's literally paint. BUT, the more intricate the design the more expensive it'll be. When you start adding colors and designs, you're going to end up paying for more labor. Every color that's added to a careakote job is adding another round of masking, spraying and baking.

It just depends on how much you're willing to pay, and finding an artist talented enough to pull it off.

[Socalmp5]

You can do faux carbon fiber using tool box mat...
Custom paint technique for years.

Cerakote has an air dry line and very durable clear... mc161
You can dip them, then clear over it and it will very very durable...

Here are 2 times I used my automotive paint, airbrushed, then used the mc161 clear from cerakote over
It...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMAcBdtAiTj/?igshid=13yxhuaxtv0j7

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNNd_jxAmny/?igshid=n241ef1fx277

[Fire4718]

So wait, 2 things. A; Is it possible to create a carbon fiber frame altogether for a glock frame and B; there's a clear form of cerakote? So I could like paint whatever underneath the cerakote layer but still be able to see my design and such?

[Socalmp5]

So wait, 2 things. A; Is it possible to create a carbon fiber frame altogether for a glock frame and B; there's a clear form of cerakote? So I could like paint whatever underneath the cerakote layer but still be able to see my design and such?

[Fire4718]

Yes I saw them, I was just ques whether or not that was in fact what I was seeing i.e. a pre painted design and a clear form of cerakote to see it. Which is weird because I never knew there was such a thing as clear paint.