About our Firearms Refinishing Process
Inspection
Before we do anything, we will inspect your weapon for safety
and proper functioning. Weapons that are not safe to handle or
to fire will be returned to the customer. Alternatively, with
the customers authorization, we will have our gunsmith repair
the weapon before refinishing.
Disassembly
Where necessary, the weapon will be completely disassembled.
AR15 uppers have to have their barrels removed from the upper
receivers. 1911's and any other type pistols will be completely
stripped. Notes will be made where parts may require replacement
or service. Alternatively, customers may choose to send us
disassembled weapons, with or without internal parts. Once the
weapon is disassembled, we remove the front and rear sighs -
where applicable.
Degrease
Your
weapon and each of its parts will be individually degreased by
hand and brush to ensure that any carbon buildup or heavy grease
deposits are removed. This ensures that our blast media does not
get contaminated by oil - thereby ensuring perfectly clean
surface area to accept Cerakote™.
Acetone Bath
After degreasing, we will bathe the parts and firearm in an
acetone to remove any degreaser and to further clean the
steel surfaces.
Aluminum Oxide blast booth
All weapon components that are being coated will be stripped
by the use of aluminum oxide. We use this medium because the
aluminum oxide prepares the surface structure of the steel by
opening its pores. Bead blasting by glass media does not open
the pores and would not meet our rigorous quality requirements
for adhesion. Aluminum that has been hard anodized is treated at
low pressure to lightly scuff the surface as to not reduce the
effect of the surface hardness.
Spray
Freshly
blasted parts are strung on wire or placed in custom jigs and
immediately sprayed to minimize exposure to air and entrapment
to moisture. Each part is hand sprayed by HVLP gun, including
the smallest pins. We do not dip or use other methods of
Cerakote™ application. This is the most laborious part of the
process and takes the most time and concentration. Years of
practice and hundreds of satisfied customers results in
perfection each and every time.
Rack & Bake
After the application of the appropriate color, the weapon and
it's parts are hung by wire or placed on our jigs to eliminate
any surface contact and put in oven to bake according to
prescribed requirements.
Assembly
After
the parts cool, each part is inspected for proper coverage, look
and feel. Any part that does not meet our rigorous criteria for
perfection is stripped and submitted to the procedure again.
Your weapon is then assembled by our gunsmith and checked for
proper functioning.
|
|
Colors and Patterns
CIF may also apply a two tone refinish where the frame and slide may be of different color, or a different sheen of the same color. Extra charges may apply.
*Our stocking colors are H-146 graphite black, and H-265 FDE. Other colors can be applied by special order. Such request may delay the delivery of your weapon based on the color availability and supplier stock.
Special Order
Colors (some may be in stock)
Cerakote™ "H" Series Specifications
The "H" series was designed as a two part thermal cure system. It provides a very high quality, long lasting finish with high corrosion resistance. It offers unsurpassed levels of abrasion resistance and hardness because of the two part component system.
» Viscosity #2 Zahn cup of 13.0 sec
» Optimal film thickness
1.0 mil
» Passes the 5% salt spray test (ASTM B117) in excess of 2,500 hrs
» Pencil scratch hardness
(ASTM D3363) 7h
» Adhesion cross cut tape
(ASTM D3359) 5B
» Mandrel Bend (ASTM D522)
180 degree rotation with no coating loss
»
Impact
160/160 inch-lbs
» Heat stability of 525 degrees f for extended periods without failing



















