Cerakote is a thin-film ceramic coating used primarily for firearms, knives, tools, and other metal, plastic, wood, or polymer items to provide durability, corrosion resistance, and a custom finish. It’s a type of ceramic-based polymer coating developed by NIC Industries.

Key Features of Cerakote:

• Highly resistant to abrasion, wear, impact, and chemicals.
  
• Protects metal surfaces from rust and oxidation.
  
• Available in a wide range of colors and finishes (Matte, Gloss, Metallic, etc.).
  
• Applied in very thin layers (~0.001”–0.002”), preserving tolerances for mechanical parts like firearm slides, threads, etc.
  
• High-temp Cerakote formulas can withstand extreme heat, used in automotive and exhaust parts.
  
• Bonds well and doesn’t crack under normal use.
  

Common Uses:

• Most popular in the gun community for custom finishes and protection.
  
• To improve grip, appearance, and lifespan.
  
• For components exposed to heat or wear.
  
• Phones, tumblers (e.g., YETI), sunglasses, tools, etc.
  

Here’s how durable Cerakote really is, based on key performance metrics:

1. Abrasion Resistance

• Cerakote can withstand tens of thousands of abrasion cycles in industry-standard tests (like ASTM D4060).

• Elite Series offers even better abrasion resistance—up to 60x more than typical coatings like bluing or anodizing.

2. Corrosion Resistance

• In salt spray testing (ASTM B117), Cerakote coatings have been shown to withstand over 2,000 hours of continuous salt fog without rust.

• That’s 10x–100x better than traditional finishes like bluing or Parkerizing.

3. Impact Resistance

• Designed to absorb shocks and impacts without chipping or cracking.

• Performs very well in drop tests and handling stress.

4. Chemical Resistance

• Highly resistant to solvents, oils, cleaners, fuels, and saltwater.

• Won’t break down or discolor when exposed to common chemicals used in harsh environments.

5. Heat Resistance

• Standard Cerakote (like H-Series) can handle up to ~500°F.

• C-Series (high-temp) can withstand 1,800°F, making it suitable for engine parts, suppressors, and exhausts.

Cerakote offers over 200 colors, ranging from tactical and military-style tones to bright, custom, and metallic finishes. These colors are available across different Cerakote series (H-Series, Elite, C-Series, etc.), and some are exclusive to specific uses like high-temp or polymer applications.

Abrasion Resistance

• Cerakote: Superior. Designed for high-wear surfaces like firearms and tools.

• Powder Coat: Good, but can chip or scratch under heavy wear.

Chemical Resistance

• Cerakote: Excellent. Extremely resistant to solvents, oils, and cleaning chemicals.

• Powder Coat: Decent, but some chemicals (like brake cleaner or strong solvents) can damage it.

Corrosion Resistance

• Cerakote: Outstanding. Ceramic-based, and often outperforms powder coat in salt spray tests.

• Powder Coat: Also good, especially with proper substrate preparation and primers.

Impact Resistance

• Powder Coat: Generally better at withstanding blunt force without cracking.

• Cerakote: Can be brittle under impact, especially if applied thickly or improperly.

Finish & Thickness

• Cerakote: Thin, uniform finish (~1 mil), ideal for parts with tight tolerances.

• Powder Coat: Thicker (~2–4 mils or more), more forgiving for covering surface imperfections.

Factors That Affect Cerakote Wear:

Surface Prep & Application Quality

• Poor preparation (e.g. not sandblasting or degreasing properly) can cause premature failure.

• A properly applied Cerakote job should bond tightly and last years.

Usage

• High-friction areas (like firearm slides, holsters, or moving parts) will eventually show wear.

• Hard impacts or abrasion can wear it off over time, especially on corners or edges.

Thickness

• Cerakote is applied very thin (~0.001”) to preserve tolerances. That makes it durable but not invincible.

Environment

• Harsh environments (e.g., saltwater, heat, chemicals) will challenge any coating, but Cerakote is among the best for holding up in these conditions.

Wear Characteristics

• Cerakote tends to wear evenly and slowly—no large chips or flakes like some paints or powder coats.

• When it does wear, it’s usually more like a gradual smoothing or fading, especially on contact points.

Cerakote can be applied to a wide range of materials, thanks to its unique ceramic-polymer composition and thin-film properties. Here’s a list of what it can (and can’t) be applied to:

Materials Cerakote Can Be Applied To:

Metals (most common use)

• Steel (stainless, carbon, tool)

• Aluminum (common for firearms, car parts, etc.)

• Titanium

• Magnesium

• Copper

• Brass

Proper surface prep (e.g., sandblasting with aluminum oxide) is essential for adhesion.

Plastics & Polymers

• Some high-temperature, high-strength polymers like:

• Nylon

• Polycarbonate

• Some reinforced composites (e.g., glass-filled nylon)

• Used on things like polymer firearm frames, holsters, and tool handles.

Not all plastics can withstand the cure temperatures (~150–300°F), so testing is essential.

Wood

• Yes, Cerakote can be applied to wood, though it’s less common.

• Works best if the wood is sealed and properly prepped.

• Often used on custom firearm stocks or decorative items.

Ceramics & Glass

• Can be applied to glass, ceramics, and even carbon fiber, especially for decorative or non-structural parts.

• Requires specific prep and may not adhere as well as on metals.

What Cerakote Should NOT Be Applied To:

• Low-temp plastics (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene) – they’ll deform or off-gas during curing.

• Rubber – not heat-resistant and Cerakote won’t bond well.

• Fabric or foam – too porous and flexible.

• Silicone – extremely non-stick surface; Cerakote won’t adhere.

Cerakote typically cures to about 0.0009”–0.0012” thick (H-Series), making it one of the thinnest yet most durable finishes available. It’s especially favored in industries where both appearance and precision matter.

No, Cerakote is not just for firearms. While it’s popular in the gun industry, Cerakote is widely used in many other industries and on all kinds of products due to its exceptional durability, chemical resistance, and thin application.

Firearms (Most Common Use)

• Slides, barrels, frames, suppressors, optics

• Used for protection against corrosion, wear, and to customize colors/patterns

Automotive & Powersports

• Valve covers, exhaust components (using high-temp C-Series), wheels, suspension parts

• Resists heat, oil, brake fluid, and road salt

Tools & Knives

• Blades, handles, multitools, axes

• Offers corrosion resistance and long-term wear protection

Outdoor Gear

• Fishing reels, flashlights, hiking equipment, camping tools

• Excellent for saltwater or extreme environments

Consumer Electronics

• Custom PC builds: GPUs, cases, heatsinks

• Game consoles, phones (for modders)

Bicycles & E-Bikes

• Frames, forks, cranks — durable, lightweight finish that resists chips and scratches

Home & Lifestyle

• Faucets, light fixtures, cabinet hardware

• Furniture frames, grills, and even tumblers (like Yeti cups)

Military, Aerospace & Industrial

• Used on aircraft parts, drones, robotics, and even medical devices

• Known for extreme environmental resistance

Cerakote is versatile and used far beyond firearms. It’s ideal for any application needing a thin, durable, chemical- and corrosion-resistant coating — whether that’s a gun, an engine part, a knife, or even a coffee mug.

Getting an order going is easy, just send an email to info@weichelcoatings.com. Be sure to outline all details and requests, and we will take care of the rest.

Lead times can vary based on the specifics of your request and current production volume. The best way to get an accurate timeline is to send us an email with your project details, we’ll respond promptly with a customized estimate.