Gunsmithing Ceracote on a bolt?

[eddybo]

Okay first thanks for all the help you guys have given me thus far. Even though I am just a hobby gunsmith I still want to do as good a job as I possibly can, yall have been a big help.

Okay can you ceracote bolts? Does it stick or scratch off, will it gum up the works? I kryloned one once big mistake I do not want to repeat. The one I kryloned was a PTG bolt that I had reamed the action for which may have created soem of the problem but it gummed things up pretty bad.

 

[ccannon121]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

I had mine ceracoted and it really changed the smoothness but seems to be getting smoother the more i use it. Just my .02

 

[Hateca]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Cerakote will change the tolerances and you need to be careful. Custom actions such as the GA Templar, Phoenix, and some others are that have especially close tolerances. Factory rifles don’t have a big problem.

If it’s a custom action it can be done but the coating will be thin on the bolt. Yes it will wear off, it's metal to metal contact any finish will come off over time, even factory finish.

When first applied it will change the feel of the bolt and action, more so in custom actions like I mentioned. Over time and a few range trips this will smooth out. It will not gum it up like Krylon.

 

[eddybo]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Thanks for the info. I did not want to be polishing this stuff off I am assuming it is a bit harder to remove than krylon.

Another question does ceracote adhere to highly polished or blasted barrel better. I am assuming blasted would be better, right?

 

[Hateca]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Blasted. If you get it too think on the bolt you can take a green Scotch-Brite pad and smooth it out and polish it down until the bolt work more freely.

 

[Hustamuff]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

blasted is definitely better. Just make sure you dont hit the bolt face or back of the lugs when you do so. I blast my bolts very lightly with 180 grit alum ox. The cerakote lays down smoother on a smoother surface, hence the bolt will run smoother.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

NIC reccomends 120 grit. I wouldnt use anything finer.

Look for a thickness of .001" on bolts

I aggree about not doing the rear of lugs or face as even .001" is a big deal. But, I did do my rifles bolt face and lugs and it's great.

 

[eddybo]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Thanks for chiming in AZPrecision, I see you have done a few of these.

I indexed the brake on the gun that is going to be my first victem last night. so tonight It will probably get sprayed and baked. Any other tips, anyone?

Btw what do you wash this stuff up with. I have not read any data sheets or even the instructions yet.

 

[Hustamuff]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Best I have found to clean parts with is the purple automotive degreaser stuff. Sams club sells some good stuff. Then clean all your paint gear with acetone.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

After sand blasting? Isopropyal Alcohol, 90% is best. You cant have any residue

And yea clean your paint gun with acetone. Be sure to take it apart completely. HVLP, .8mm tip, using about 25psi depending on the gun.
I flush the gun with alcohol after acetone too. Iso alcohol is the cleanest solution I know of. Evaporates and burns 100% clean.

Post some pics when done!

 

[eddybo]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

The finish turned out great......except I missed a spot. can I touch it up or do I have to remove everything and start over.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Typicaly, start over.

Bolts are a horse of a different color because of tolerances. You can try to put another coat on, but it's likely to raise the thickness too much.

We have three bolts here that are getting fully Cerakoted tomorrow. I'll post some pics if I remember to take them.

We measure bolt diameter with a micrometer, then blast and coat, then mic it again after it's cured. The total diameter of the bolt can not increase by over .002"(.001" on each side) or we blast and start over.

 

[PCR]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eddybo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for chiming in AZPrecision, I see you have done a few of these.

I indexed the brake on the gun that is going to be my first victem last night. so tonight It will probably get sprayed and baked. Any other tips, anyone?

Btw what do you wash this stuff up with. I have not read any data sheets or even the instructions yet.</div></div>

Clean your spray gun inside and out with acetone. I do my best not to get it on anything. Bad for the liver, kidneys and nervous system. It has a health hazard rating of 3 out of 4... not good stuff to be messy with. I wear long sleeves, powder free surgical gloves and a cartridge filter respirator.

NIC recommends you keep it refrigerated but not with your food.

 

[eddybo]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Thanks for the info, especially the heath hazards.

I missed a spot on the barreled action, not the bolt. Bad light, thought I had it, then I ran out of color. It left a place that is lightly covered but noticable down the side of the barrel.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Here's some pics of freshly painted bolts.

Coating bolts isn't easy. The perfect thickness, you can damn near see through with colors like Tan and even OD green.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

I should mention that Brad Johns(my father) does 90% of the Cerakote work for AZ Precision, and did the above work.

Thanks
Keith Johns

 

[PCR]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eddybo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the info, especially the heath hazards.

I missed a spot on the barreled action, not the bolt. Bad light, thought I had it, then I ran out of color. It left a place that is lightly covered but noticable down the side of the barrel.</div></div>

It's easy to miss a spot and good lighting in my booth is my biggest problem so I added additional lighting today. My next project will be an oven and start H series... Love Cerakote!!

 

[HotIce]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Roger on smoothing over time. My Templar did not feel slick at all at first (Cerakote), but it's getting progressively better.
Last time I have a bolt coated.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

 

[TaylorM]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

Quick question not wanting to hijack thread. I have blasted and coated rifles before with no problems. All have been blued or SS. Recently I purchased a new Rem. SPS Varmint with a horrible finish on it. It's more parkarized than blued and I was wondering as course as it is do I need to blast or just degrease and spray?

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Ceracote on a bolt?

For Cerakote, always blast with 120 grit aluminum oxide