Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Cerakote or anodize

I have a bottom metal that needs to be refinished, which is more durable?

Anodizing, especially Type III hard anodizing (like an AR15) is much more durable than any paint( includes Cerakote).. Type II decorative anodizing ( can be glossy like a scope tube) is also better. However, anodizing is more expensive than painting.

RAN

Ive been applying Cerakote for a long time now. It holds up pretty well even under holster wear in a kydex holster. Also how much more would that cost is it worth it?

Anodizing is much more durable. What exactly are you trying to do? How is the bottom metal currenly finished? I assume it’s aluminum if your asking about anodizing. If it’s Aluminum and has been previously anodized, it can’t be re-anodized.

Taking you mean aluminum, between anodizing and Ceracoat I choose one of Brownells spray epoxies. Cheaper, easier, less hassle and pretty durable, much more so than your average hardware store spray paints. That's for average use firearms of course. I particularly like the one you cure in an oven.

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Stopped in to Brownell's web site and it looks like the baking lacquer is being discontinued. PTFE/Moly Oven Cure Gun Finish appears to be their replacement but it's new to me. Alumna-Hyde II would be my second choice. Easy to touch up when it does wear as they all do eventually.

Hint: When you're done painting immediately invert the can and clear the nozzle or you'll be soaking the nozzle in acetone. The paint contains more solids than any other spray paint I've used, which is good, but really makes the nozzle want to clog up.

Sir, that is incorrect. I have had several parts over the years stripped of old anodize and reanodized.

Sort of— the existing anodized surface would have to be mechanically removed before a part could be anodized again. Anodizing is not an applied coating. It's controlled oxidation.

I think I'm going to go with anodizing, anyone have a recommendation from someone they have used?

Too bad you're not close. I'm taking another lot in a couple days. Problem is the minimum lot charge.

The anodize person that I have used for 38 years has stripped the old anodize in their tanks and then anodized them to the color I wanted.

I have used US Anodizing with good results. Another I have seen is http://techplate.com/firearms.htm. I have no experience with them, but the website looks impressive.

RAN

Could I ship my floorplate to them to get in on your lot? Im looking for the color of a rust blue finish?

Yes, it can.

Too late this time. Dropped off my parts this morning. Will get them back on Friday. You may get a better match with a good Cerrokote job.