I'd like to get a rifle Cerakoted, but I was wondering if having it done aftermarket can affect the precision of the rifle? Are there any concerns I should be aware of? Is there any part of the rifle I don't want to touch? I was thinking of having the whole rifle cerakoted. Can anyone recommend a good place in Southern Ontario to have this done?
Cerakote a rifle
- Thread starter maufic
- Start date
Personally, I think there are much superior finishes to Cerakote these days. For an action, finishes such as nitride and DLC provide more lubricity, and add zero to very minimal thickness to any parts applied to. As mildot points out, applying cerakote to an action that's on the tighter side of tolerances can create issues in adverse conditions. My Defiance Rebel action with Cerakote would give me absolute h*ll in adverse/dusty and windy conditions.
If it was me, I would get the action treated with nitride or DLC, by a qualified and competent applicator. If DLC is not applied properly it can flake off and chip, and nitride is done at such high temps, that if not done properly can change the material properties of the material it's being applied to. Not an issue if either of these treatments are done by a reputable vendor, but can turn into a cautionary tale if you decide to cheap out.
Barrels I leave untreated, they are disposable and I don't see the cost being worth it. That doesn't mean you shouldn't coat yours, but if you shoot a lot and are shooting a cartridge that is hard on barrels, it's certainly worth a look at the economics to see if it makes sense.
If you have to go with Cerakote (for whatever reasons they may be), I would look at the new Cerakote Elite coatings. They are thinner and have more lubricity then the original formula.
If it was me, I would get the action treated with nitride or DLC, by a qualified and competent applicator. If DLC is not applied properly it can flake off and chip, and nitride is done at such high temps, that if not done properly can change the material properties of the material it's being applied to. Not an issue if either of these treatments are done by a reputable vendor, but can turn into a cautionary tale if you decide to cheap out.
Barrels I leave untreated, they are disposable and I don't see the cost being worth it. That doesn't mean you shouldn't coat yours, but if you shoot a lot and are shooting a cartridge that is hard on barrels, it's certainly worth a look at the economics to see if it makes sense.
If you have to go with Cerakote (for whatever reasons they may be), I would look at the new Cerakote Elite coatings. They are thinner and have more lubricity then the original formula.
Sure, however there isn't alot if any places to get the action and bolt DLC'd, or nitrated? unless you get it from the factory (Defiance doesn't DLC anymore).If the nitrating isn't doesn't right it can "soften" the metal on the action.I left my bolt and raceways untouched when I Cerakoted my action, at the end of the day it's personal preference, but for the cost and availability, it's excellent "bang for the buck" IMO.
I'm not sure where one could get these finishes done in Canada. There's a few places in the US that people regularly send their actions to for treatment.
After owning cerakoted actions, and actions coated in DLC, nitride and birdsong, I know that I will never go back to Cerakote.
I would have much preferred to get my action with the DLC or nitrate costing, but that "ship has sailed". I don't feel I gave anything up not doing the bolt body & raceways. I like Cerakote, "different strokes for different folks" Cheers
+1 for Lambton Dipping and Coatings. Andrew is a great guy to deal with. Excellent work!
Seems like guys are not aware that Nitride is a form of heat treating. It can be done at a wide variety of places in Canada. If you are looking for a gun smith to do the work you are looking in the wrong place. Start contacting heat treat facilities and you wont have look very far.
Same goes for gun bluing. A heat treat facility will call it black oxide, but its the exact same thing and heat treat facilities can do that as well.
If you are looking for Parkerizing then contact Nick at Vulcan Gun Refinishing. He's in southern Ontario.
As a matter of fact, Vulcan Gun works with heat treat facilities on a regular basis for gun bluing/black oxide, so you might contact him regarding Nitride as he is already working with facilities who I know for a fact can do both. Nick may not even be aware of it himself, so you may need to coach him along. If need be, I can assist as I do advise him from time to time.
If one wants to go this route, they need to talk with their action manufacturer in regards to specs for the nitriding process to ensure its done in a manner appropriate for their specific action.
