Cerakote or Duracoat ?

J

jetman

New member
You can get them both in an airdry form.
Both are applied with air and are similar in cost.
The Duracoat sounds a bit "Softer" and a bit simpler in the application.
Both have colors I like and can be applied over plastic as well as steel. Which one would you try and why?
 
Duracoat goes on a little thicker and is more prone to sharp scratches from sharp rocks etc. I Duracoated my Rem 870 for hunting and home defense and I don't baby it. It's held up very well and I think this is what it was designed for, the DIY guy with a rattle can. I would expect Duracoat to show chips/wear around areas like pistol/AR mag wells were metal mags hit the finish over time. But you can't make any marks at all with a fingernail. It's air cure but I did leave the parts in my hot car for a week or two before putting it back together. Perfect product for a beater AR or AK or shotgun etc.

Matte black Druacoat on metal parts only:
45522264284_9b3fc83575_c.jpg

45900944714_c1e29f08cf_c.jpg


Cereckote is a tougher finish and more $$. It's a thinner layer and shows imperfections more both in surface prep and spray pattern. I would for sure use Cerekote if I was paying a pro to have it done, or if I had an airbrush and compressor and oven. The bake on stuff is probably better.
 
Cerakote has an air-dry form too,
I have all but an oven.
I want to do it on my plastic stock too I'm thinking 500* is over the limits of plastic.
Duracoat has a heat-set form too...
 
I have rifles that are cerakoted; Not impressed at all. I'm sure it provides corrosion resistance where applied. However, I had one rifle I was using this Fall that was slung over my shoulder as well as my hunting pack. The zipper on the backpack scratched the coating off of my barrel.

Knowing both will scratch off, I'd go with the cheaper option. If really wanting superior corrosion resistance, I think you have to look at something like salt bath nitriding or Black/Green T. It has to be something that embeds into the steel and isn't a layer. Just my $.02.
 
I used to self apply Duracoat, built an oven, and even used heat cure Duracoat. When I started using Cerakoate you could tell the difference between the two regarding abrasion resistance. Unless Duracoat has changed some things in their mix, I've found Cerakote to be better.
 
Back
Top