Cerakote process

[jforbush]

So I was asked to do a run down on the process.......

1.  Complete dis-assembly
2.  Degrease
3.  Heat to get all the hiding grease out of the item
4.  Degrease again
5.  Tape off and plug any and all areas you doing want stripped and coated
6.  Media blast with 100/120 grit aluminum oxide
7.  Blow off with air making sure not to touch with bare hands.....completely clean.
8.  Rack
9.  Mix Cerakote in proper ratio 
10.  Spray Cerakote with good quality HVLP gun
11.  Let flash cure
12.  Put parts in oven and sure accordingly
13.  Once parts cure in oven remove and let cool
14.  Reassemble and fit all parts and pieces back together   

Prep work is key.....you must be very careful to make sure the part getting coated is clean.  That means 0 grease, fingerprints, and the surface is roughed up enough to get a proper bond.  Quality tools and equipment are important as well.   If you are going to do any coating other than the one piece here and one piece there then invest in good equipment. When I first started I was using okay equipment. As I upgraded equipment I saw a world of difference from the okay stuff to the quality stuff.   

[Steinar]

I have exactly zero interest in trying to do this myself, but I'm wondering, what temperature is used in the oven, and how long do the parts stay there? I always get a little paranoid when people put heat treated steel in an oven. 

[jforbush]

For metal you are looking at 250 F for 2 hours.  This will have zero effect on a heat treated blade.....done tons of knives.

[Steinar]

You're talking to a European, I assume you mean Fahrenheit?

Anyway, 250 F should certainly have no effect. Celsius would be borderline for at least some steels, I think...

[jforbush]

I fixed that....yep, Fahrenheit. 

[Craig]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting 

[Gryffin]

So I was asked to do a run down on the process.......

Wow. I see why you'd want to work in large batches where possible.

[borgwarrior]

Can't wait to see the results live! 

[Steinar]

I fixed that....yep, Fahrenheit.

Thanks, this is very informative!