I bought a new Stag Model 3 for the purpose of having it Cerakoted. I’ve read a lot about Cerakote and I’ve tried other finish products like Duracoat, so I wanted to see how Cerakote stacked up.
Here’s a video review including some tests I conducted of the finish including a salt bath, leaving the upper outside in the elements for 3 weeks without lube, a heat test, etc.
I really really really like Cerakote. I had a Sig P229 Elite Dark that I carried for over a year as my EDC. It was starting to show wear on the Nitron and the aluminum frame so I shipped it off to Jim Lynch at http://www.dvcguns.com/
He did an outstanding job and I couldn’t have been more satisfied. I carred the gun daily for an additional six months and it was just starting to show wear. The cerakote is soem very durable stuff.
nice review. very thorough and the use of the thermometer was a good add.
not to let this devolve into “what color should I paint my gun” silliness but I noticed the color seems to be more of a match for the Aimpoint and rail covers than the Magpul components. IME, these components are similar to the Vltor FDE, which I use.
can you tell us what the specific name of the color was and are there any others that you considered?
I’ve had a 1911 and an AR cerakoted (two different companies did the work), and both look great; it seems quite the durable finish! Haven’t put them through the stresses YOU did, but it’s nice to see the finish holds up that well - thanks for going the extra mile on that for us!
They told me (Cerakote) on the phone that they were using a licensed Magpul color set when I told them I wanted something FDE. Reviewing their colors on their website they only list Magpul OD green and foliage green - no mention of FDE. Either it’s so new (which could be) that it’s not listed on their site yet or they used their Coyote color. I only gave them the direction to make the parts a flat brown, FDE if they had it.
It comes pretty close to matching the Magpul stock in color. The stock is just a shade darker, but it’s hard to notice in person.
Threads like these are why I’ve made up my mind to go with the Cerakoat for my latest toy build. I’m sure the rattlecan crew will be along soon, but after already investing the amount of money I have, cheaping out at the end seems silly. I was reading a magazine last night that mentioned a rifle being Cerakoated in Magpul FDE, I’m assumng it’s a pretty new color as that was the only one I’ve seen so far like that…and it was nice.
The PMAG’s have always resisted dropping free, even on my 6920. They come right out if I do the rotational flick or if I have the magazine perfectly horizontal to the ground. They don’t fit in the mag well tightly or anything.
Very well done. I had a set of Borla headers for my Jeep Cherokee done in silver Cerakote. The coating discolored a little, but never flaked, peeled or burned away even after tens of thousands of miles which included many long hours wheeling in the Mojave Desert. It resisted damage from mud, slush, dust, pond scum, road salt and everything else I drove my Cherokee through. It was my daily driver as well as weekend warrior. If anyone is familiar with the Cherokee, they’ll know it’s infamous for high underhood temperatures. Not only was I impressed at how well the Cerakote help up, but was amazed. It far surpassed my expectations
Yes, the finish is capable of withstanding most common gun cleaning solvents. Here’s a test that should help shed some light on how Cerakote holds up to various chemicals.
I suppose I can see its merit as an external coating, but what I don’t see is the desire to use it on the BCG and FCG. I understand that Cerakote has “dry lubricity,” but if that’s what you’re going for, why not NiB or NP3 etc? (Not that I’m convinced any of that is needed or even beneficial at all). Either of those are more slick and durable for that application.
I would certainly consider Cerakote for external use on exposed rust prone areas of various guns, but I personally don’t want it inside my AR’s.
