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4/4/2012 8:27:59 AM EDT
I have my Pre B CZ75 from Robertson's and am looking forward to refinishing it. I've done refinishing work on a couple of Russian capture 98K's and am very happy with the results from stripping, polishing and using cold blue. With the Pre-B I've decided on a paint type refinish and am looking at Cerakote. Here are a few questions:

Will the cheap paint gun such as the one Cerakote sells work with a standard Sears Craftman air compressor?

While I'm sure the fine results and reputation Cerakote has comes from their oven cure coatings, has anyone used their air dry coatings? I've had great results baking some M4 add-ons using Brownells Aluma-Hyde and baking it in a toaster oven to harden,  could I bake the air-cure Cerakote to harden it more? Is the oven cure simple enough to mix and bake?

Is Cerakote such a complicated, specialty type finish that a neophyte, gun part replacer, refinisher such as myself could never hope for decent results and will need to pay a professional gunsmith for a Ceracote refinish or resign myself to a more simpler finish such as Gun-Kote or Aluma-Hyde?

I appreciate any suggestions and answers, also I did use the search engine with negative results for answers.

Thanks.
4/4/2012 11:38:30 AM EDT
[#1]
I've used the air cure but it can be baked to speed up the curing.  It seems thicker than Dura-Coat.  All in all I wasn't as impressed with it as I thought I'd be.  Project turned out alright but Dura-Coat self lubing looks as good in my opinion.
4/4/2012 7:05:07 PM EDT
[#2]
If you can spray paint with a can of Krylon you can Cerakote. Best to use cheap spray gun. Cerakote ruins a gun very quickly.
4/4/2012 8:04:12 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
I have my Pre B CZ75 from Robertson's and am looking forward to refinishing it. I've done refinishing work on a couple of Russian capture 98K's and am very happy with the results from stripping, polishing and using cold blue. With the Pre-B I've decided on a paint type refinish and am looking at Cerakote. Here are a few questions:

Will the cheap paint gun such as the one Cerakote sells work with a standard Sears Craftman air compressor?

While I'm sure the fine results and reputation Cerakote has comes from their oven cure coatings, has anyone used their air dry coatings? I've had great results baking some M4 add-ons using Brownells Aluma-Hyde and baking it in a toaster oven to harden,  could I bake the air-cure Cerakote to harden it more? Is the oven cure simple enough to mix and bake?

Is Cerakote such a complicated, specialty type finish that a neophyte, gun part replacer, refinisher such as myself could never hope for decent results and will need to pay a professional gunsmith for a Ceracote refinish or resign myself to a more simpler finish such as Gun-Kote or Aluma-Hyde?

I appreciate any suggestions and answers, also I did use the search engine with negative results for answers.

Thanks.


Cerakote is can be tricky to apply.  When sprayed it looks dry, touch it and you'll find out it's not.  The oven cure is more durable.  I use air cure on stocks oven cure on metal.  Cerakote is not as thick as Duracoat unless you want it to be.  Cerakote is more durable then Duracoat.  Cerakote air cure fully dries in 5 days where Duracoat takes three weeks.  Use the smallest gun tip for best results.  I suggest you try this on something you don't care about for practice.
4/5/2012 10:50:46 AM EDT
[#4]
The secret to Cerakote is to blast with Alum Ox 100~120 grit.
Any compressor will work as it is not high pressure but you might want to use a moisture filter.
I use an air brush from Harbor Freight and it works fine.
Prep is EVERY thing.
Good Luck.
4/22/2012 10:49:11 AM EDT
[#5]
Thanks for the info. and suggestions. Another question: Do I have to roughen the surface by blasting and therefore either pay to have it done or invest in blasting tools? Or will hand work with various grits of sand paper work?
4/22/2012 11:10:27 AM EDT
[#6]
You definately want to blast prior to application. If you cant do it at home find a brake shop with a blast cabinet use 120grit alum oxide. Once cleaned and blasted DONT touch with bare hands!!!! CeraKote Ambient or "C" series is easier to apply than the thermal or "H" series (no mixing involved. As stated prep is everything. Light even coats are the key until complete coverage is achieved. Remember thicker doesnt equal better. Also I cant stress enough to wear protective equipment when spraying.
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