Hey guys.  I have an m&p9c and some of the factory coating on the slide has come off from holstering and unholstering, and I can see the stainless steel.  Is it possible to get the factory coating redone?  Also, there is a custom gunsmith shop like a mile from my house and they will refinish the slide in cerakote for $65.  Is cerakote any good?

Thanks for the help!

New Question:

The local guys offer PVD coating from ionbond as well for $75 dollars.  I just emailed them to ask if they can do the flat dark earth color.   That is the one that comes on the VTAC m&p guns.  Anyone know about this coating?  I love the look of the FDE and kind of really want to do that now

Cerakote is good stuff but there is a guy who will put the factory coating back on (Melonite) for $80. Top notch stuff from Doug.  http://www.ateiguns.com/

Ok cool, so here is my next question: is the cerakote < melonite?  If it is, how should I save the money (shipping + $15 difference in base price) and cerakote it or should i pay the premium and get the melonite?  
1 consideration: I will keep wearing off the finish as I continue to carry the gun.

Melonite is a process where they take the parts to be coated and dipped into hot hot baths of liquid.



Cerakote is a ceramic based paint that is sprayed topically.

Melonite IMO should be a stronger finish.  I carry my M&P9c in a Raven Concealment holster everyday and my slide still looks like new.  If I were you, I would call up S&W and tell them that your finish is coming off prematurely and they might refinish it for you for free.  The worse they could say is no.

Thank you for the information.  I wish the local guy could do the melonite.  That would be the best of both worlds.  I guess I will save my pennies and ship off the slide for refinishing one day.

I used a little clp on my slide and worked my kydex a little to help resolve the wear issue. If mine gets bad I'll probably media blast it down to the stainless and have a bi-tone M&P. (Assuming I can do that) If the melonite is wearing off, the cerakote will wear off faster.

Bumped for new quesiton