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
Yes. Cerakote V-Series formulations are rated to 2,000 degrees F, providing thermal protection for AM parts deployed in high-temperature industrial applications. The coating also serves as a thermal barrier, reducing heat transfer into the AM substrate. For polymer AM parts, H-Series Cerakote provides protection at standard industrial operating temperatures while adding the corrosion and chemical resistance that raw PA12 and PA11 surfaces lack. Temperature requirements drive formulation selection during our engineering review.
Polymer coating creates a continuous, flexible barrier between the metal substrate and corrosive environments. Unlike rigid coatings that can crack under mechanical or thermal stress and expose the substrate, polymer coatings flex with the component while maintaining barrier integrity. This flexibility is the key advantage for corrosion protection in applications involving vibration, thermal cycling, or mechanical deflection. For maximum corrosion protection, we recommend the full surface preparation stack: blast, conversion coating where applicable, then polymer.
Surface preparation is the most critical variable in coating corrosion performance. Industry data consistently shows that 60-80% of coating failures trace back to inadequate surface preparation, not coating material failure. ColoradoKote achieves SSPC-SP 10 near-white blast with 2-4 mil anchor profile as standard, which is why our Cerakote applications consistently deliver salt spray resistance exceeding 3,000 hours. The preparation determines the result.
Marine components face the most aggressive natural corrosion environment: constant salt water contact, salt spray atmosphere, and UV exposure. Cerakote's 3,000-hour ASTM B117 salt spray rating provides the highest thin-film corrosion protection available for marine hardware. Our chemical conversion coating for aluminum and passivation for stainless steel substrates provide additional protection layers before Cerakote application, creating a comprehensive marine corrosion defense system.
Yes. Our spectrophotometer-verified color matching creates a documented color standard for your program that we reference on every production run. Delta E within 1.5 ensures parts coated today match parts coated months or years from now. This level of consistency matters for aircraft cabin interiors, branded equipment, and any application where batch-to-batch color variation is unacceptable.
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.