ColoradoKote
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
Three Stages of Surface Preparation
Eighty percent of coating failures trace to inadequate surface preparation. Every stage is controlled and documented to prevent this.
Solvent Cleaning Per SSPC-SP 1
Parts are solvent-cleaned to remove machining oils, cutting fluids, and handling residues. This initial decontamination prevents contaminants from being driven into the surface profile during blasting. Visual inspection confirms a clean surface before media contact.
Controlled Media Blasting at 40-80 PSI
Media type and blast pressure are selected for the substrate. Aluminum oxide creates 0.5-1 mil anchor patterns on steel and titanium. Aluminum Oxide and Garnet Sand provides gentle profiling for aluminum and thin-walled AM parts. Precision masking protects critical dimensions throughout.
Profile and Dimensional Confirmation
Surface profile is verified with calibrated gauges per ASTM D4417. For AM parts, CMM measurement confirms dimensional integrity within ±0.0002 inches before and after blasting. Parts transfer to coating within 2-4 hours to prevent recontamination.
The Surface Preparation Process
Proper surface preparation creates the mechanical bond sites that anchor coating at the molecular level. ColoradoKote maintains AS9100-certified preparation processes with media selection matched to each substrate, preserving dimensional tolerances on precision components including additive manufacturing parts.
What Our Surface Prep Delivers
Surface preparation quality is measured, documented, and traceable to each part for complete quality evidence.
Anchor Profile Depth
Aluminum oxide media creates a consistent 2-4 mil surface profile that maximizes coating adhesion. Profile depth is verified with calibrated gauges and documented per ASTM D4417 for every job.
SSPC Surface Cleanliness
SSPC-SP 10 near-white blast removes 95% of surface contaminants, creating the cleanliness level required for maximum coating bond strength. Uniform profiles ensure consistent adhesion across the entire part geometry.
Tolerance on AM Parts
Controlled blast pressure and fine media selection maintain dimensional tolerances within ±0.0002 inches on additive manufacturing parts. CMM verification before and after blasting confirms zero dimensional distortion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Cerakote maintains color consistency (Delta E 1.5) and corrosion protection through UV exposure, freeze-thaw cycling, and temperature swings from -40 degrees F to sustained summer heat. Unlike conventional agricultural paint that chalks and fades within seasons, Cerakote's ceramic-polymer matrix resists photodegradation. Equipment stored outdoors year-round maintains both its protective coating and professional appearance over multiple service seasons.
Yes. Cleaning solutions for medical device components are selected for compatibility with the device substrate material and the downstream processing requirements. We avoid solutions that leave residue affecting biocompatibility testing or device function. Thorough rinsing in deionized water follows the cleaning cycle to remove all solution traces. Cleaning parameters and solution identification are documented on the Certificate of Conformance for your quality records.
Color consistency on large aerospace programs requires controlled material batches, documented application parameters, and spectrophotometer verification on every production lot. We record coating material lot numbers, spray parameters, cure profiles, and Delta E measurements as part of our AS9100 quality system. This documentation ensures that parts produced on day one of a multi-month program match parts produced on the final day, verified by instrument, not visual judgment alone.
Marine hardware often requires precise fitment for through-hull fittings, hatch mechanisms, and railing connections. Cerakote's 0.5 to 2 mil film build preserves these critical dimensions while providing 3,000-hour salt spray protection. Powder coat at 4 to 6 mils can interfere with threaded connections, gasket sealing surfaces, and sliding mechanisms on marine hardware. Less coating weight is also beneficial for performance sailing and racing applications.
Hydraulic cylinder rods and housings on farm equipment face soil abrasion, moisture, and chemical exposure that cause conventional coatings to fail within a season. Cerakote's 9H hardness protects cylinder rod surfaces from scoring, while the 3,000-hour salt spray barrier prevents corrosion on housings exposed to moisture and fertilizer chemicals. The 0.5 to 2 mil film build preserves seal clearances and rod tolerances that thicker coatings would compromise.
Ready for Surface Preparation
Provide your substrate material, dimensional requirements, and coating specification. Receive a preparation plan with media selection and processing details.