What's under a CZ-75's polycoat?
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JohnBT
Member
I also have one of the Military models marked '96 that I bought in '99. It hasn't chipped or even worn much. Even if it chips, it's parkerized underneath.
www.cz-usa.com/faq/
The polycoat is an electrostatically applied powder coat that is baked OVER a parkerized phosphate finish.
www.cz-usa.com/faq/
The polycoat is an electrostatically applied powder coat that is baked OVER a parkerized phosphate finish.
Walt Sherrill
Member
According to CZ, the treatment under Polycoat is Parkerizing. (Manganese phosphate?) If you see silver under a chip, you're looking at an enamel-covered gun, and not one that has been Polycoated.
For the past six or seven years, the polycoat finish on CZ has proved to be VERY durable. And it's easily touched up with any matte black auto body touch up paint. (Get a spray can, spray some onto a piece of aluminum foil, and use this thinner paint [than what comes in the touch up bottle] and a fine brush to cover the scratches or chips. It's not easily chipped or scratched, but idiot marks do occur.
Interesting side note: unlike some gun makers, the CZ nickel finish is NOT applied over a copper base -- but directly onto the metal. No problem with micro-cracks in the nickel finish and copper solvents.
The old polycoat finishes (8-9 years ago) were more-easily scratched or chipped, and the old enamel finish was a joke.
The new polycoat is as durable as most other finishes out there, and arguably shows wear less easily than the SIG or Glock finishes.
Thanks guys, that helps a lot.
I am really wanting a CZ-75, and am relieved to know CZ phosphates the steel before applying the polycoat. I have a SIG 220 with K-kote, which is phosphated under the coating, and small wear spots and chips are hardly noticable. It sounds like the newer CZ-75B's are done in a similar fashion. While the older models were coated over bare steel, or enameled.
Is there a way of determining by inspection what the finish is on a CZ-75B, if one were to spot a used gun on the market?
I am really wanting a CZ-75, and am relieved to know CZ phosphates the steel before applying the polycoat. I have a SIG 220 with K-kote, which is phosphated under the coating, and small wear spots and chips are hardly noticable. It sounds like the newer CZ-75B's are done in a similar fashion. While the older models were coated over bare steel, or enameled.
Is there a way of determining by inspection what the finish is on a CZ-75B, if one were to spot a used gun on the market?
Walt Sherrill
Member
Until recently -- I haven't examined any of the newest models -- the year of manufacture (really, the year it was made ready for export) can be found in a small oval stamp on the slide, at the ejection port. If the gun is relatively new (last 7-8 years), you should have no problems with the finish. And if you get satin nickel, no problems or concerns.
The older models typically have silky smooth triggers, no firing pin block, and are a joy to shoot. A few parts are starting to get rare for some of the older models (mostly related to safety mechanism on some models). I don't mess with the old ones any more, as new ones can be made to be just as smooth.
As I've noted before, you can touch up minor nicks or scratches with matte black auto body touchup paint. You won't see many unless you make a habit of dropping the gun on gravel driveways or concrete.
The older models typically have silky smooth triggers, no firing pin block, and are a joy to shoot. A few parts are starting to get rare for some of the older models (mostly related to safety mechanism on some models). I don't mess with the old ones any more, as new ones can be made to be just as smooth.
As I've noted before, you can touch up minor nicks or scratches with matte black auto body touchup paint. You won't see many unless you make a habit of dropping the gun on gravel driveways or concrete.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
The newest pistols don't have the oval stamp, at least my PCR doesn't. CZ hasn't updated their FAQ page to deal with that.
Buck Nekkid
Member
Of course if you want to avoid finish issues, get one of the very cool CZ 75's in stainless steel! I've got a polished one, but a lot of folks really like the "Limited Edition" that is very, very cool:
Walt it's so good to see your posts. We've missed you over on the CZ Forum.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I missed the obvious. On the right side of the slide in front of the ejection port is the two digit date stamp on the newer guns. Ooooops.
Cactus Jack Arizona
Member
"The polycoat is an electrostatically applied powder coat that is baked OVER a parkerized phosphate finish."
Hmmm. Sounds good. I think I'll try that with an Iced Tea to wash it down.
Sorry John, couldn't resist that one.
Hmmm. Sounds good. I think I'll try that with an Iced Tea to wash it down.
Sorry John, couldn't resist that one.
ol' scratch
Member
A garter belt and fishnet stockings 
.
.Jonah71
Member
I have the 2003 75B with the OD green frame. It doesn't have a chip on it. Just one small barely descernable scratch. Seems to be a very good paint job. It does get banged around a bit so maybe one of these days I can tell you what it looks like under that ugly green.
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