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3/29/2016 8:57:31 AM EDT
I had a gun shop build me an ar and in the process, I decided to have them cerakote it a bright orange. The first time I picked it up, each piece was multiple shades of orange, so I toke it back. This gun shop is using another person/business to do there cerakoting. After they have had the rifle  for another 4 months, they call and tell me it is ready. The day before I am going to get it, I get a phone call saying that the cerakote is flaking off easily and that its been cerakoted 5 times already and this will be the last time the cerakote guy will try. The cerakote guy blames the bright color and that it uses too much hardner. What's everyone's thoughts on that? I was saying bad materials or poor prep work? Also, any kind of damage with it being coated 5 times? I'm assuming he blasted it each time but that is just an assumption. I haven't seen the rifle in awhile, but was concerned with the blasting degrading the lettering. This is an sbr and I have my stamp already, so I can't just toss it and start over

I am pleased with the gun shop, as they have done everything possible to try and make me happy. They have been using this cerakote guy for awhile now, and I even have some other rifles he has cerakoted and they seem to be holding up well

Thanks
Trey
3/29/2016 9:24:51 AM EDT
[#1]
Wow.  Do you have any pictures of the first time you when to pick it up?

What parts of the rifle are getting coated?  Most surfaces that are coated wont interfere with function.  As long as the blasting was done correctly it shouldnt be an issue.  But considering it has been done 5 times, I am guessing the guy doing it, isnt a pro.  So at this point I would be worried.  Sounds like you need your rifle, a refund, and to find someone better to do the work.
3/29/2016 9:58:50 AM EDT
[#2]
The upper and lower receiver, the barrel and the buffer tube are being cerakoted orange.  I don't have a good pic that shows the color difference from the first time I picked it up. The guy doing the cerakote has a full time business doing this and has been doing there riffles since before I started buying from them. I started this rifle in July of last year and he had been doing there stuff prior to that.
3/29/2016 10:58:23 PM EDT
[#3]
Guy doesn't know what he is doing.....period.  I have been spraying Cerakote professionally for over 6 years and we never have this problem.  Time to find a new applicator.
3/30/2016 7:04:05 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
Guy doesn't know what he is doing.....period.  I have been spraying Cerakote professionally for over 6 years and we never have this problem.  Time to find a new applicator.
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And time to have it media blasted again, and possibly think about another color if there in lies any truth in that particular shade.
3/30/2016 8:48:33 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:

And time to have it media blasted again, and possibly think about another color if there in lies any truth in that particular shade.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Guy doesn't know what he is doing.....period.  I have been spraying Cerakote professionally for over 6 years and we never have this problem.  Time to find a new applicator.

And time to have it media blasted again, and possibly think about another color if there in lies any truth in that particular shade.


That is what I was hoping to find out here, if there was any truth in his claim of the color having too much hardner causing the miss matched colors and lack of durability.

Thanks
Trey
3/30/2016 10:43:24 AM EDT
[#6]
I don't have much experience with cerakote specifically, but bright orange can be a pain over a black base.

You might want to have him spray a grey or white base, and then apply the orange.

A white base under a bright orange made a huge difference in a rattle can project I have done in the past.
4/21/2016 6:41:07 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:


That is what I was hoping to find out here, if there was any truth in his claim of the color having too much hardner causing the miss matched colors and lack of durability.

Thanks
Trey
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Guy doesn't know what he is doing.....period.  I have been spraying Cerakote professionally for over 6 years and we never have this problem.  Time to find a new applicator.

And time to have it media blasted again, and possibly think about another color if there in lies any truth in that particular shade.


That is what I was hoping to find out here, if there was any truth in his claim of the color having too much hardner causing the miss matched colors and lack of durability.

Thanks
Trey


If it has too much hardener that would be on him. It gets mixed right before it's applied, and Cerakote publishes the recommended Cerakote/Hardener ratios. The amount of hardener also affects whether it's a matte or shinier finish. I think more hardener makes it more glossy.

It also seems an odd explanation as to why different parts are a different shade of orange. Why would he paint it with different batches of mix? Once mixed it's only good for a couple of hours so I don't understand why he wouldn't mix enough to paint it all in one shot.

From Cerakote's website:

NOTE: If the proportions of Cerakote to Hardener are incorrect, or the combination of Product and Hardener are not thoroughly mixed, the final product will be splotchy at best because the coating mixture was uneven, and your work will be wasted.

Cerakote/Hardener Ratio
Matte finish 24:1
Satin finish  18:1
Semi Gloss  16:1


4/22/2016 5:19:58 PM EDT
[#8]
I'm not a pro, but have done dozens of firearms.  This guy is a hack.  Hardener is mixed right before spraying and would only cause it to be shinier.
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