ColoradoKote
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
Three Stages of Precision Color Matching
Objective measurement replaces subjective judgment at every step, from initial specification through production verification.
Spectrophotometric Color Analysis
Your color standard is measured using D65 illuminant spectrophotometry in L*a*b* color space. This quantifies lightness, red-green axis, and yellow-blue axis independently, establishing an objective baseline that eliminates subjective color judgment.
Iterative Formula Refinement
A custom Cerakote formula is developed using controlled tint ratios from 1,400+ base colors. Test panels are coated and measured through two to four refinement cycles until Delta E ≤1 is achieved against the master standard.
Formula Lock and Production Verification
Once validated, the formula is locked and documented for the full program duration. Every production lot is measured against the master standard before coating begins. Archived samples enable verification for programs spanning a decade or more.
The Custom Color Matching Process
Color inconsistency costs aerospace programs $50,000 to $200,000 annually in rework and delays. ColoradoKote eliminates color-driven rejections with spectrophotometer-verified matching that holds Delta E ≤1 across production lots, from initial development through multi-year program execution.
What Our Color Matching Delivers
Objective color data replaces visual approximation. Every measurement is documented and traceable to your program standard.
Color Consistency Per ASTM E2214
Spectrophotometer verification confirms Delta E ≤1 on every production lot. Parts coated months apart match within the threshold of human perception, eliminating color drift that forces rework on multi-lot assemblies.
Sample Retention Period
Archived color samples and spectrophotometer data are retained for ten years. This enables validation against the original standard on programs spanning decades, ensuring replacement components match existing assemblies precisely.
Available Color Formulations
Standard Cerakote colors plus custom formulations cover Pantone, RAL, Federal Standard, and physical sample matching. Matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes are available for each color specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
We coat the full range of AM substrates: SLS nylon (PA12, PA11), MJF polymer parts, and metal additive builds including titanium, stainless steel, Inconel, and aluminum alloys. Cerakote bonds chemically to all of these materials. Surface preparation is tailored to each substrate type, with blast media and pressure (80-100 PSI standard) selected to profile the surface without distorting thin-walled or lattice geometries.
Yes. Chemical conversion coating per MIL-DTL-5541 is widely used on automotive aluminum parts including intake manifolds, brackets, suspension components, and housings. The sub-micron layer provides corrosion protection and serves as an ideal primer for topcoats. For performance and racing applications, pairing chem conversion with Cerakote delivers 3,000 hours of salt spray resistance at just 0.5-2 mils, far thinner than powder coating's 4-6 mils.
Yes. Polymer coatings maintain adhesion and chemical integrity through repeated autoclave cycles at standard sterilization temperatures and pressures. Unlike rigid coatings that can microcrack under the thermal shock of autoclave cycling, polymer coatings flex with the substrate during thermal expansion and contraction. This thermal cycling durability is critical for reusable medical devices that undergo sterilization between every patient use. Coating integrity is maintained through hundreds of sterilization cycles.
Farm equipment contacts soil, rocks, crop residue, and chemical particulates that abrade conventional coatings within a single season. Cerakote's 9H pencil hardness and 4,000 cycles per mil abrasion resistance maintain the protective barrier through extended field use. Impact resistance of 160/160 inch-pounds handles rock strikes, equipment contact, and rough field conditions without chipping or delamination that would expose the substrate to corrosion.
Automotive components like brake calipers, shift knobs, door handles, and engine covers endure constant mechanical contact and thermal cycling. Cerakote's 9H pencil hardness resists scratching from tools and debris, while 4,000 cycles per mil abrasion resistance maintains finish integrity through years of use. The temperature range from -40°F to 2,000°F covers everything from frozen winter starts to sustained high-RPM exhaust temperatures.
Ready for Precision Color Matching
Send your color standard, specification, or physical sample. Receive a matching proposal with timeline, Delta E targets, and production capacity.