Top Benefits of Cerakote on 1911 Pistols
Cerakote is a durable ceramic finish that adds a unique style to your firearm while protecting it from normal wear and tear. Master Gunsmith Cliff Diseker, from Lone Star Gunsmithing and Cerakote, shares the top benefits of having your pistol professionally Cerakoted.
Like bluing, nickel-plating and parkerizing, cerakote protects metal gun parts from corrosion. However, unlike these traditional finishes, it can also be done in a wide range of colors and patterns.
1. Prevents Rust
Whether you have a new or old gun, the best way to prevent rust is with Cerakote. Cerakote is a ceramic-polymer composite coating baked 
onto metal gun parts to offer chemical, abrasion and corrosion resistance. It’s available in hundreds of colors and patterns and can even act as a dry film lubricant, keeping gun surfaces cleaner. Cerakote is also much more durable than bluing, outperforming it in Taber abrasion tests.
While Cerakote won’t restore pitted metal to its original finish, it will stop rusting in its tracks, dramatically improving the look of your gun and helping prevent future deterioration. It’s also water and sand-resistant, making it an excellent choice for shooting in harsh environments.
To prepare the gun for cerakoting, it’s disassembled and soaked in a degreaser to draw out oil and impurities. The pieces are then sandblasted to bare metal and hand sprayed with the desired color. The gun is then baked in an oven to cure the coating.
If you’re interested in a particular design or camouflage pattern, it’s important to discuss this with your smith before beginning the process. A good smith will ensure your gun is properly prepped to avoid issues such as air pockets or blemishes that could compromise the integrity of the finished product.
2. Custom Colors
Cerakote can be used in a wide variety of colors, giving gun owners a chance to customize their firearms and give them a unique look. It also protects the firearm from environmental damage, such as rust and corrosion.
Firearms are exposed to a lot of different chemicals, including cleaning solvents, oils and dust. These can damage the finish and leave behind a sticky residue. The ceramic polymer coating on a Cerakote-finished gun resists these chemicals, making it more resistant to abrasion and scratches than standard finishes like bluing.
Additionally, a gun with a Cerakote finish is less likely to show scratches or wear when handled, which can give away the owner’s position in a concealment situation. It also has hydrophobic properties, which means it repels water and other liquids, keeping the firearm cleaner and less prone to corrosion.
Guns with a Cerakote finish can also resist thermal distortion, which is when the firearm expands or contracts after prolonged exposure to heat. This makes the weapon less prone to warping or becoming misshapen after extended use, which can make it difficult to shoot accurately.
The process of having your gun Cerakoted is relatively simple and affordable. Master gunsmith Cliff Diseker at Lone Star Gunsmithing and Cerakote says he starts by disassembling the firearm, dumping each part in non-chlorinated commercial grade degreaser cleaner for 60 minutes to degrease it and aluminum oxide blasting down any parts he doesn’t want coated with 100-grit media. Once the parts are cleaned, they can be air-cured or oven-cured depending on their temperature tolerance.
3. Reduces Wear and Friction
Guns can take a beating in the field, at the range, or just during everyday use. They’re subjected to abrasions, heat, impact, chemicals, and humidity, all of which can cause parts to wear out or damage. Cerakote can help protect these components from wear and tear, extending their lifespan and helping them perform more reliably.
When applied to metals, Cerakote is incredibly durable and scratch resistant. It can also reduce friction between moving parts, which can increase accuracy and extend the life of your firearm. Cerakote has a coefficient of friction that is 80% less than stainless steel, making it a great option for guns with rotating components like slides and bolts.
Cerakote is also incredibly resistant to chemicals, including WD-40, mineral spirits, denatured alcohol, gasoline, diesel fuel, brake fluid, and paint stripper. This makes it a great choice for protecting your pistol from the elements, keeping it looking great for years to come.
You can also customize your pistol with Cerakote to make it truly your own. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to choose the perfect look to match your personality and style. It can even be etched, stenciled, or engraved to create custom graphics and patterns such as carbon fiber, American flag, wood grain, simulated alligator skin, and digital camo.
4. Easy to Clean
Unlike traditional bluing that can chip, scratch and peel, Cerakote is hard-wearing. It also has a high impact resistance and is able to tolerate extreme temperatures. This is a good option for gun parts that experience a lot of wear and tear, such as triggers, mag releases and pins. Cerakote can be applied to a wide variety of metals, plastics and polymers. It can even be applied to wood products, though they may require a different series and curing process.
Cerakote can be etched, stenciled and laser engraved to allow you to personalize your firearm in a unique way. This is a popular choice for discerning shooters who want to make their firearm stand out from the crowd. It can also be paired with hydrographics to create patterns such as carbon fiber, American flag, simulated alligator skin and digital camo.
