You can Cerakote your crossbow. Cerakote is a polymer-ceramic composite coating or ceramic-based finish. Using its thin-film ceramic coating technology, you can ensure that your weapon looks good while still maintaining its functionality, durability, and efficiency.
Cerakote is one of the best and most efficient coating materials you can use on your crossbow. People use this coating on various things used in active activities, including firearms, cars, electronics, crossbows, etc.
Cerakote is so widely used on various products that it comes with no surprise that it has a high standard for durability, lightweight, wear resistance, and customization. With Cerakote, you can prevent any premature corrosion of your crossbow and minimize any significant wear and tear. With this level of protection, you can comfortably hunt in any environment without worrying about going home with a damaged weapon.
Cerakote also makes it easier for you to customize your weapon. You can choose from their wide range of colors and designs. You can Cerakote any part of your crossbow, so you don’t have to worry about your color combination being off. The coating also sticks to any surface as long as it isn’t rubberized.
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What are the advantages of using Cerakote?
Coating your crossbow with Cerakote gives it more protection while making it pleasing to the eyes. Cerakote is customizable and lightweight. It also has many colors and can protect your weapon from corrosion and wear and tear.
External factors such as grasses, bushes, trees, or anything around you can damage your crossbow when chasing after prey. This incident can cause your weapon’s coating to chip off. It would be best to have a coating that could withstand all the wear and tear caused by external elements, especially when hunting in the wild.
With Cerakote coating, your weapon will have an extra added layer of protection. It helps avoid premature corrosion of your crossbow and minimizes any significant wear and tear. You can save money from minor weapon repairs in the long run.
Furthermore, speed and crossbow weight are also essential factors to consider to be successful when hunting. For instance, you should be able to move as quickly as possible if you need to pursue a game or escape when an unexpected danger arises. A heavy crossbow will put you at a disadvantage in terms of speed.
It’s a good thing that Cerakote is lightweight. Cerakote does not add a lot of weight to your weapon compared to other coating materials, so you can barely feel the difference in its weight with or without the coating. As a result, you don’t need to adjust to the weight of your crossbow when you’re using it.
Cerakote is also customizable to choose the colors and patterns for your crossbow. Now, your crossbow can be stylish, functional, and durable at the same time.
What can you use to clean an item coated with Cerakote?
You can use a simple cloth and rubbing alcohol to clean any item coated with Cerakote. Avoid scrubbing the coating with steel wool or wiping it down with harsh solvents like brake cleaner.
The application or coating process of Cerakote has 9 phases. This lengthy process results in a durable coating. Hence, it is not easy to reverse the process or remove the Cerakote from an item.
However, despite its promise of durability and longevity, it’s still essential to properly take care of your items to extend their shelf life.
For items coated with Cerakote, a non-abrasive or microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol is enough to clean and maintain them. If you have no alcohol on-hand, you can also use a small amount of acetone. Just remember not to use harsh solvents like brake cleaner. Also, avoid using steel wool to scrub the surface.
What material can you coat with Cerakote?
You can use Cerakote to coat a wide variety of materials, such as metal, plastic, carbon fiber, polymers, fiberglass, aluminum, wood, and fabrics, to name a few. People use Cerakote on various products, so it is no surprise that this coating is compatible with many materials.
There are different Cerakote series meant for specific materials. For instance, the C series is compatible with fabrics, plastics, and electronics, while the H series is compatible with weapons like knives and firearms.
While preparing the parts of your crossbow for coating, some materials also undergo a specific preparation process. You can ensure that each piece is safe and taken care of during the 9-phases-long coating application process.
Do you need to be certified before using Cerakote?
You need to train to become a certified applicator of Cerakote because the coating is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) finish. Hence, those who wish to become accredited applicators must attend a 2-day interactive course and be factory trained.
Trainees will undergo two days of hands-on and industry-specific training that will help the trainees learn about Cerakote coating applications on specific items.
During the training, you will learn about Cerakote, how to prepare and apply it to your products, tips, best practices when coating, and many more. You will even get a chance to tour the facility and glimpse the company’s standard of quality control.
Some of the other reasons you need to train how to apply Cerakote is that you need to use the proper equipment. Cerakote offers starter and pro coating kits to consumers, but it’s best to know how to use the equipment not to waste products.
How to apply Cerakote?
The Cerakote application process consists of 9 phases: (1) disassembly, (2) decrease, (3) masking, (4) sandblasting, (5) racking, (6) gassing out, (7) coating preparation, (8) spraying, and (9) curing.
You can officially start coating your crossbow independently if you have completed the Cerakote coating certification training. You can buy the authentic Cerakote starter kit on their website if you’re still starting. These kits have different versions and contain essential materials for the project.
On the other hand, you can use their PRO kits if you have experience using Cerakote on your crossbow. These kits include essentials that professionals at Cerakote recommend when you do your coating project.
The PRO kits also have more colors and equipment, so they’re slightly more expensive than the starter kits. However, Cerakote extends the shelf life of your weapons by protecting them from wear and tear. Hence, you can still consider the price affordable, considering the amount of money you will save in the long run. Read on to know each phase of the application or coating process.
Phase 1: Disassembly
The first phase is disassembly. As the name suggests, you will disassemble the parts of the item that you will coat or work with. Lay them correctly and take a picture to avoid losing parts or putting the pieces back incorrectly.
Taking a picture of the disassembled parts makes it easier for you to put them back together and helps you double-check if all the items are complete before you reassemble them.
If you are not familiar with the thing you’re disassembling, do not hesitate to ask for a professional’s help.
Phase 2: Degreasing
The second phase of the coating process is degreasing. From this phase until the end of the process, use nitrile or powder-free latex gloves when you’re touching the parts.
To degrease metal parts, soak them in a degreaser for 20 to 30 minutes. Some examples of degreasers include acetone or brake parts cleaner.
To degrease plastic, carbon fiber, polymers, and fiberglass parts, use a lint-free cloth to wipe each piece with a degreaser, such as wax and grease remover.
After soaking or wiping down the parts, let them air-dry.
Phase 3: Masking
The third phase of the coating process is masking. In this phase, you will protect any areas you don’t want to coat using a plug or masking tape.
For this phase, make sure you mask the important parts properly to avoid functionality issues. If you’re using masking tape, make sure that you trim the excess before moving to the next phase.
Phase 4: Sandblasting
The third phase of the coating process is sandblasting. For parts that have #100 grit aluminum oxide or garnet sand, sandblast each piece at 80 to 100 PSI. Moreover, sandblast the plastic, carbon fiber, polymer, and fiberglass parts at 30 to 40 PSI.
Use a sandblaster instead of using glass beads, steel shot, or sanding each part by hand. Using glass beads or steel shots will cause dimples on the surface of the pieces, while hand sanding does not have the same result as sandblasting.
Using glass beads, steel shot, or hand sanding may result in a profile or surface that is not suitable enough for the coating to stick to the surface.
Ensure that you sandblast each part until the surface no longer appears shiny. Doing so ensures that the coating will adhere to the surface better. Moreover, aim for a uniform finish by ensuring that the blast pattern is even.
Phase 5: Racking
The fifth phase of the coating process is racking. For this phase, hang the parts in a way that makes it easier for you to coat them in the later stage.
You can use metal hooks for the large parts and a rack for the smaller ones. To maintain the rack’s stability, ensure that the heavy pieces are at the bottom of the rack. Also, ensure enough space between each part to ensure that you don’t miss a spot during the coating phase.
Phase 6: Gassing Out
The sixth phase of the coating process is gassing out. If there are any remaining solvents on the parts from the degreasing phase, this is when you let these solvents evaporate. Also, check the parts for any oils or contaminants so you can draw them out.
Heat metal parts in a convection oven at 300°F for 60 minutes. Moreover, gas out the plastic, carbon fiber, polymer, and fiberglass parts between 150˚ to 180˚F for 60 minutes.
Phase 7: Coating Preparation
The seventh phase of the coating process is coating preparation. For this phase, follow these steps:
- Agitate the Cerakote bottle until the coating is mixed for 5 to 10 minutes. You can agitate the bottle by hand, but for larger quantities such as pints or gallons, you can use a paint shaker to make it easier for you.
- Pour the desired amount of Cerakote into a glass beaker or graduated cylinder.
- Add the intended amount of catalyst into the container.
- Place a stretched powder-free latex glove over the container to seal it close, and then shake the container thoroughly for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer and into the spray gun cup.
Before proceeding to the next phase, clean all the containers used in this phase with a degreasing solvent.
Phase 8: Spraying
The eighth phase of the coating process is spraying. Only start this phase if you’re sure that you can complete the curing stage within the next hour or two after the coating. More importantly, you have to wear the appropriate safety attire for this phase, such as a respirator, gloves, and safety glasses.
Once you’re ready, check if the masked parts are secure and the pieces are hung securely and spaced evenly.
Before coating the actual parts, adjust the spray pattern by spraying the coating on a vacant surface, such as an easel. When everything is ready, spray the Cerakote coating on the parts.
Phase 9: Curing
The ninth phase of the coating process is curing. Cure the parts in an oven and let them cool for this phase. Once they’re cool enough to hold, reassemble them.
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