Cerakote applicators, any tests bare steel vs parkerizing base?

[Pa. Patriot]

Recently started applying Cerakote.
I have always applied KG products over parkerizing where possible. Over K-Phos where not (SS, Aluminum).
It simply holds up better that way.

Now I spoke with NIC Industries regarding applying cerakote over parkerizing but they had no testing or recommendation regarding application over park and suggested that if I try it to give them some feedback...

Well I plan on applying to samples and testing, but in the mean time I am looking to see if any of you have some comparitive experiences to share.

So, anyone apply cerakote over park?
Application go OK?
Hold up as well or better than over bare steel per the NIC instructions?

Thanks in advance

 

[ralfus]

Patriot,
I have no experience with Cerakote to contribute but can you advise how much of a difference you have found using K-phos as a base with the KG coatings? I am tempted to use it but didn;t know if it was worth the extra cost. do you airbrush it on? Any tips would be much apprecieated.

 

[Pa. Patriot]

As metioned, KG is definitely best applied over park. And I apply over kphos on metals that dont park (SS/al)

I do this because in my testing, with steel, I found that the best adhesion was over park, second best was kphos over alox blasting prep (close second) and last was bare blasted steel).
Testing was performed on identical samples of steel.

In practical use it definitely helps on SS. But I have my doubts on aluminum. I haven't had the time to test but I suspect it doesn't give much if any boost to aluminum.

In the end I just always use it when I cant park the substrate.
I apply with an airbrush and it is very economical that way.

 

[GeorgeR]

Cerekote

I'd be really interested in your Ceracoat experiences. I am a full time refinisher, using TR gun kote www.tenring.com for three or four years, and its the best I've ever found. NIC sent me a batch to try, and I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
As far as liquid phosphatizing first, its made all the difference with TR Gun Kote and I'd never do a job with using it first.

 

[Pa. Patriot]

I did receive a email reply from another professional whom stated he saw little if any increase in adhesion and wear qualities applying cerakote over park.
I have not conducted my own side-by-side tests yet but I am inclined to believe it. While I have not directly compared, I have done several pieces without park base coat and a couple scrap pieces at the same time. I performed my own scratch tests on the scrap pieces and the stuff appears to be as tough as KG over park but without the park base.
Here is a handgun I did. It is two tone. Graphite black on the aluminum frame, controls and sights. Socom Blue on the slide. I have asked the customer to provide feedback as to the wear qualities.

 

[js2013]

I used Cerakote (Graphite Black) on a 1911 and was impressed. I applied it over bare steel so I can't help you with the steel vs Park question but so far it's wearing very well for me. I even applied it over the feed ramp thinking I'd have to polish it back down to bare metal to get reliable operation but that wasn't the case. Even the cerakote over the feed ramp is holding up well.

BTW your work is excellent..