Cerakote
See Pricing →Cerakote is a ceramic-based polymer coating — the industry standard for firearm finishes. It goes on thin enough that it won't change tolerances or affect function, and it's durable enough to outlast bluing, parkerizing, or paint under hard use.
Standard application thickness is 0.001" to 0.0005". Resistance to corrosion, chemicals, abrasion, and UV is built into the formulation — not a surface treatment. Available in hundreds of colors across multiple series, from semi-gloss to high gloss.
Colors
Cerakote offers one of the largest color libraries of any finish — hundreds of options across the E, H, F, and FX catalogs. We can order and apply any color from those catalogs. We stock the most popular options in-shop for faster turnaround; other colors are available on order.
Color swatches are available in-shop so you can see how they look in person before deciding. If you have something specific in mind — a match to existing gear, a custom combination, or a color you found online — call us and we'll help you find it in the catalog.
The official Cerakote color catalog is at cerakote.com/colors. Browse to find a color and bring us the name or code. We'll confirm availability and turnaround when you call.
Finishes
Cerakote finishes range from semi-gloss to high gloss. The finish affects how the gun looks and how it handles — lower gloss hides imperfections and is forgiving to maintain; high gloss shows everything but looks sharp on display pieces. Some series and colors naturally produce higher gloss than others.
Semi-Gloss
Low sheen — the most popular choice for firearms. Clean, intentional look that hides surface imperfections and fingerprints. The default for most carry guns and tactical builds.
Standard Gloss
Moderate shine. A step up from semi-gloss for builds where some luster fits the look. Balances appearance with practicality.
High Gloss
Full shine. Used on display pieces, custom builds, or when a distinct aesthetic is the point. Expect to see fingerprints. Best for guns that get admired more than carried.
Series
Cerakote produces multiple coating series, each formulated for different environments and application methods. We apply E, H, F, and FX series.
H-Series
The most common. Oven-cured, excellent durability, widest color selection across the catalog. What most customer work is coated with. If you don't know which series you want, it's probably H-Series.
E-Series
Electrocoat series. Available for specific applications. Ask us if you have a project or substrate that calls for it.
F-Series
Catalyst-based, oven-cured. Introduced in 2025 with a thinner standard application at 0.75 mils — good for tight-tolerance parts where minimal buildup matters. Cure temperature is lower (250°F / 15 min for metal) and gloss can be adjusted via catalyst ratio from lower to higher sheen.
FX-Series
Specialty formulation for specific applications. Ask us if your project has requirements that standard series may not meet.
Special Attributes
Some Cerakote formulations are engineered for specific conditions beyond standard firearms use. If your application is unusual — high heat, coastal exposure, or low-reflection requirements — ask us about the right formulation before you ship.
High Heat (HIR Series)
Rated for extreme temperatures. Used on suppressors, barrels, and anything that sees sustained heat. Standard Cerakote will fail on suppressor bodies — HIR is formulated for that environment. If you're coating a suppressor or barrel, ask specifically about HIR.
Extreme Environments
Formulations with enhanced chemical and corrosion resistance for maritime, high-humidity, or chemically aggressive environments. Relevant for coastal use, wet climates, or firearms exposed to solvents and lubricants more than usual.
Anti-Reflective
Ultra-flat coatings for use cases where any surface shine is unacceptable — hunting applications, low-profile builds, and situations where light reflection is a concern.
Laser-Optimized Colors
Cerakote designates a subset of their catalog as laser-optimized — colors formulated to respond consistently to laser processing. Two distinct techniques apply.
Laser Imaging (single-color tonal variation)
A laser-optimized color can produce a range of tones from a single application. The laser alters the surface at different intensities to shift the color — producing detail, shading, and contrast that stenciling can't achieve. What looks like a multi-tone image is one color of Cerakote processed with a laser. Cerakote describes this as producing “varying color tones from a single color.”
Multi-Layer Ablation (two-color reveal)
A base color is applied first, then a top color is applied over it. A laser then selectively removes the top layer — revealing the base color beneath in precise patterns, text, logos, and artwork. The result is a two-tone finish that would require extensive hand masking and stencil work to achieve any other way. This technique works across a wide range of color combinations, not just laser-optimized colors.
We combine Cerakote with our laser work — see the Laser Engraving page for more on what that looks like in practice.
Ready to get started?
Call us at (951) 501-2259 to discuss your color choices, series, and finish. For Glock-specific Cerakote, see the Glock Cerakote page.