There are several ways to protect a firearm and give it a new look. But what exactly is the difference between Cerakote® and, say, Duracoat, bluing or nitriding? In this article we compare the best-known finishes side by side.
Cerakote®: ceramic coating, cured in the oven
Cerakote® is a polymer-ceramic coating that is sprayed on as a thin film and then cured in the oven. The layer is about 25 microns thick, thin enough for the tight tolerances of a firearm. Cerakote® is wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant and withstands oils and solvents.
A big advantage is the choice: the colour range has more than a hundred colours, and two-tone, camo or a custom design is possible. Cerakote® adheres to metal, but also to plastics, polymers and wood.
The downside: it is a professional finish. Degreasing, blasting and oven curing are needed for good adhesion. That is why a certified company applies it.
Duracoat: air-drying coating
Duracoat is a two-component polymer coating and a well-known competitor of Cerakote®. In terms of durability they are often described as comparable. The big difference is curing: Duracoat air-dries, and it can take weeks before the layer is fully hard. Cerakote® is ready straight after curing in the oven.
Because Duracoat cures without an oven, it is often used by hobbyists and for parts that cannot handle heat.
Bluing: the classic finish
With bluing, the steel surface is chemically converted into a thin oxide layer. It gives the familiar deep black to blue-black colour of classic hunting and sporting firearms.
Bluing looks great, but it is vulnerable. It wears with use and offers only moderate protection against rust, so a blued barrel needs to be oiled regularly. Bluing only works on steel and offers no colour choice.
Phosphating (parkerizing)
Phosphating, also called parkerizing, is a chemical immersion process that forms a matte grey to black phosphate layer on steel. It has been used on military firearms since the First World War.
It is a functional, robust finish that holds oil well. But the colour choice is limited, and without oil it offers little protection against rust.
Nitriding (Tenifer, Melonite)
Nitriding introduces nitrogen and carbon into the metal at high temperature. This makes the surface harder and more resistant to wear and rust. Manufacturers use it under brand names such as Tenifer and Melonite, for example on pistol slides.
Nitriding is a factory treatment, not a colour layer: you cannot choose a colour or design with it. You can, however, give a nitrided part a Cerakote® coating.
Powder coating
Powder coating is ideal for things like bicycle frames, wheels and garden furniture. It is less suitable for firearms: a powder coat layer is considerably thicker than Cerakote®, which can cause problems with tightly fitting parts.
Comparison at a glance
| Finish | Colour choice | Protection | Materials | Curing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerakote® | More than 100 colours, two-tone, camo | High: resistant to wear, rust and chemicals | Metal, plastic, polymer, wood | Oven, ready right away |
| Duracoat | Many colours | Comparable | Metal, plastic | Air-dried, can take weeks |
| Bluing | Black/blue-black | Low, oil regularly | Steel | Chemical process |
| Phosphating | Grey/black | Moderate, with oil | Steel | Chemical process |
| Nitriding | None (metal colour/black) | High, hardens the surface | Steel | Factory process |
Which finish suits you?
Want a classic look on a hunting rifle and don’t mind the maintenance? Then bluing remains a beautiful option. Looking for a finish that can take a knock, protects against rust and comes in any colour? Then Cerakote® is the best choice.
At CamoGun we apply Cerakote® as a recognised and certified company. Read more about Cerakote® at CamoGun.
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