Gunsmithing Cerakote Working Temperature Range

[samb300]

I have a bit of an odd question regarding Cerakote (the standard version, not the special high temp series).

Would it cause any issues to heat a part and hold it at temp, at or slightly higher than the curing temp? i.e. oven cure temp is 250F, could I put parts that are already coated in an oven at 300F for an hour without degrading the Cerakote?

I have a couple parts that are cerakoted and bonded together with epoxy. I'd rather not use a direct flame like a propane torch, since that will exceed the max temp of 500F given as the working temp range. So I'm thinking of throwing them in my oven for 30-60 minutes at 300F since the epoxy max temp is 250F.

Let me know if you have any insight! Maybe Cerakote can be held at its cure temperature indefinitely and I'm overthinking it.

Thanks,

Sam

 

[hino895]

Yes you’re over thinking it.
300 degrees won’t effect already cured Cerakote.
I’ve never tried cooking off Cerakote, I might have to try it one day.

 

[cannoncrossfire]

I've blow torched cerakoted parts until they were cherry red. The Cerakote turns to a fine powder that you can wipe off. It still 'stains' the metal though so would still require blasting before new Cerakote application.

 

[Wannashootit]

Sure can...but consider a heat gun for this job. Much quicker...

 

[ugsly308]

Your exotic colors can darken at higher temps 300+ I cure at 250 for 2.5 hours and have never had a problem for 7 years. You'd be fine to throw it in the oven but it may smell bad if that epoxy starts to smoke.

 

[samb300]

Your exotic colors can darken at higher temps 300+ I cure at 250 for 2.5 hours and have never had a problem for 7 years. You'd be fine to throw it in the oven but it may smell bad if that epoxy starts to smoke.

Awesome, thanks for the info!

 

[ophious]

I'm confused here. Cerakote H series is supposed to be cured at 300F for 1 hour for metal components...…..

 

[samb300]

I'm confused here. Cerakote H series is supposed to be cured at 300F for 1 hour for metal components...…..

The question isn't on curing. It's if you have a part that has already been Cerakoted and cured, can you put it back in an oven at the curing temp and not affect the coating? I wanted to be sure that if I took my coated part and put it in an oven at 250F (potentially more than once) that the coated wouldn't get ruined.

I'm not an applicator, but the Cerakote training manual online says 2 hrs at 250F for the standard cure, or 1 hr at 300F for the quick cure.

Based on the responses I've gotten, I should be fine to put the parts in the oven at 250F-300F for an hour.

 

[ophious]

Yeah man, you can keep it in there all day if you wanted to.

 

[ophious]

Also, I think the 250 was based on an old training manual. I think they are pretty much preaching 300F now.

https://www.cerakote.com/resources/...LITE_H-Series_Training_Manual_WEB_1-17-17.pdf

 

[samb300]

Also, I think the 250 was based on an old training manual. I think they are pretty much preaching 300F now.

https://www.cerakote.com/resources/...LITE_H-Series_Training_Manual_WEB_1-17-17.pdf

Cool, thanks!

 

[Wannashootit]

That sure is interesting...I rarely used the 250/2hrs (why would I want it to take longer??) Anyway, I wonder if the elimination of that temperature is due to a formulation change.