CERAKOTE AIR-DRY CERAMIC COATINGS Reviews & Ratings

State-of-the-art, Cerakote™ Firearm Coatings provide a durable, weather- and corrosion-proof, ceramic-based protective finish that resists scratching, chipping, and abrasive cleaning solvents. Hardener and paint chemically bond into an ultra-thin coating that adheres to almost any surface for a clean, professional finish. Apply with your airbrush or HVLP touch-up gun for a smooth finish. Air Dry requires no baking and is tack free in 40 minutes, completely dry in 24 hours, and fully cured in 5 days.

SPECS: Air Dry Kit - Premixed and includes 4 fl. oz. Cerakote, (1) funnel filter, and instructions. Finishes up to 6 handguns or 2 to 3 long guns.

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3 Stars

Reviews Summary

Cerakote Air-Dry Ceramic Coatings generally impress users with their ease of application and aesthetic finish, though durability remains a point of contention. Many appreciate the air-dry feature, especially for non-bake applications, while others cite issues with thinness and color accuracy. Proper preparation emerges as crucial for optimal results.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Ease of Application

60%

Reviewers frequently highlight the product's user-friendly nature, noting that it can be applied easily using airbrushes or even simpler sprayers, with minimal requirement for mixing. Many first-time users report successful experiences, emphasizing how straightforward the process is when following instructions properly.

Durability Concerns

40%

While some users praise the durability of the Cerakote finish, a significant number express dissatisfaction, citing wear-off in high-friction areas. Comparisons to other coatings, particularly those that must be baked, often reveal that the air-dry version falls short in toughness, especially from a professional standpoint.

Color Accuracy

30%

A notable number of reviews mention discrepancies between the expected and actual colors of the finish. Common feedback indicates that certain shades appear lighter than anticipated, leading to mixed feelings about color consistency and accuracy in relation to Cerakote's color charts.

Proper Preparation

50%

Many reviewers stress that thorough preparation of surfaces is critical to achieving the best results with Cerakote. Those who follow detailed cleaning and sanding procedures often report satisfying outcomes, reinforcing the notion that preparation significantly impacts the product's performance.

Cost Effectiveness

25%

Several users mention the price point of the Cerakote, describing it as reasonable for a good quality coating compared to other options available in the market. Although some find it on the higher side, they generally accept it as a worthwhile investment for do-it-yourself firearm refinishing.

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Cerakote Works.

Like one of the other comments, it turned out a lot lighter than I thought by looking at a color finish from the Cerakote webside, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. It's more of a normal TAN color than a Flat Dark Earth. Other than that, I have nothing bad to say about it. I've been using the H series Cerakote for a while and wanted to try this stuff on a scope and a suppressor. The finish is matte and very smooth when run through my HVLP air gun at 18-20psi. I'm only on cure day 2 so excited to test everything out on day 6.

Doesn't match "Coyote Tan" nylon gear.

I have a TAG Banshee plate carrier, HSGI mag pouches, and a Condor hydration carrier, all are called "Coyote Tan" by their respective manufacturers. The color of the "Coyote Tan" Cerakote is sort of close to the Condor nylon, but much lighter in color than the TAG and HSGI nylong. The Cerakote is sort of somewhere between Khaki and brown. Not really what I expected. I sprayed the Cerakote on with a Testors Aztek airbrush. It goes on like most any paint. Doesn't require mixing with a hardener, which makes it really easy. The durability of the finish holds up much better than Duracoat, which I tried a couple years ago. It will wear off in spots where there is metal-on-metal contact, such as slide rails but is pretty abrasion resistant. Leather does not seem to do any harm. For a do-it-yourself finish, it holds up very well, and is easy to apply. It is fairly expensive, but is not out of line compared to good automotive paint. Just wish the "Coyote Tan" color was more in line with the industry standard.

So easy a caveman could do it!!

I used this for the lower on one of my glocks. You have to make sure you put 2-3 coats on for it to actually be dark earth. Once i figured that out it was exactly what my glock needed to make it stand out in the crowd!

Great Buy

I used Cerakote's Dark Earth as one of a three color digital camo pattern on an AR I'm building. It does on so easy it's shocking. I'm going to do a 10/22 in solid Dark Earth pretty soon. There is a review here that says that the Dark Earth is not dark enough. That gave me great pause when I was choosing which colors to use. I went with it anyway, and am happy I did. I don't know if Cerakote changed the formula or what, all I can say is that it looks fine to me. In the attached picture, you can see the Dark Earth and compare it to the Dark Earth pistol grip which is from Ergo. Looks good to me.

Great Buy

I used Cerakote's Olive Drab as one of three colors in a digital camo patern on an AR build I'm currently in the middle of. I also used Brownells' camo stencils. This product goes on so easily it's scary. No mixing of hardeners, no thinning of the product necessary, just put it in your airbrush and spray. Even if you do overspray a little, Cerakote seems to spread out and goes on smooth. My one and only issue about Cerakote air-dry is also one of my praises. The product was so thin, (waterlike actually) that when used with stencils, the product can bleed under a stencil and makes it vitally important that the stencils are on well, with no gaps. I've attached a photo, hopefully it's viewable. Not sure how durable the product will be, I'll do write-up on that when It's been on for a while.

Product works very well

Bought and used to refinish an old rough looking 1911. Did a quick metal prep sprayed it on with an airbrush. It layed on evenly and was very easy to use is a better finish than I figured it would be and made my pistol look very nice will be buying more.

First Time User

I sprayed my first gun with the air dry Cerakote and it worked great. I should have practiced a bit like the instruction say but for a first ime it looks perfect. It is very thin and I did get one small run. Its day two after the application and I installed the bolt cycled it a number of times and not a scratch. Coupled with an HS Precision stock and my M70 looks like a customer gun. I am buying more today.

DARK EART AIR CURE-VERY DURABLE!

Don't let the Air Cure make you think this stuff isn't durable. I've been using the oven cure, it's great stuff. But I have had some hit and miss results with it. This stuff is very easy to apply. It sprays VERY thin. Think water color paint. You HAVE to turn down the amount of material in your gun when applying, and move fast. When dried, after the appropriate period listed in the instructions-it's VERY durable. I wouldn't hesitate to use it. I had originally used too much material and thought I'd hose it off while it was still wet (with some non-chlorinated brake cleaner). This was two minutes into the original coat. The brake cleaner didn't even do anything to it, nothing! Not even discolor the finish. I couldn't believe my eyes. It's a great option for people without a oven.