Our Cerakote Ceramic Coating Process
Every component moves through surface preparation, precision
application, and controlled curing, each step documented under AS9100
and ISO 9001 protocols.
Three Stages of Aerospace-Grade Ceramic Coating
Each stage is controlled, measured, and documented to deliver repeatable Cerakote performance across production volumes.
Surface preparation sets the foundation
Parts are solvent-cleaned, degreased, and media blasted to
create the optimal surface profile for coating adhesion. Critical
dimensions, threads, and mating surfaces are precision-masked to preserve
tolerances.
Cerakote goes on
Cerakote® ceramic coating is applied via calibrated HVLP spray at 0.5-2 mils thickness. In-process DFT gauges verify uniform coverage. Advanced Applicator-certified technicians maintain Delta E ≤1.5 color consistency across every run.
Heat bonds the finish
Coated parts cure at 250-300F in temperature-monitored ovens. The prescribed cure schedule bonds the Cerakote® ceramic-polymer matrix to the substrate, producing 9H pencil hardness and 3,000+ hours of ASTM B117 salt spray resistance.
How the Cerakote® Application Process Works
ColoradoKote applies Cerakote® as a thin-film ceramic-polymer composite that delivers corrosion, abrasion, and chemical resistance without altering part dimensions. At 0.5-2 mils, Cerakote preserves tight tolerances that powder coating (3-5 mils) and plating cannot match. Every coating job runs through dedicated Cerakote equipment, operated by NIC Advanced Certified Applicators, and tracked under our AS9100 quality system from intake to shipment.
Measurable Performance from a Controlled Process
Every metric below is verified through standardized testing and
documented in your Certificate of Conformance.
First-pass quality rate
Components meet coating thickness, adhesion, and color specifications on the first application without rework or recoating.
Annual aerospace components
Annual throughput across military and commercial aerospace programs, including a multi-year production run.
Standard turnaround time
Standard turnaround from receipt of parts. 7-day expedited and 3-day rush available for AOG and mission-critical requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Yes. We provide consolidated quotes covering the complete finishing sequence your parts require. One quote, one purchase order, one turnaround commitment, one Certificate of Conformance. This simplifies your procurement, receiving, and quality processes compared to coordinating separate vendors for cleaning, blasting, and coating. Contact us at 970.541.7331 or through our website with your parts, requirements, and quantities for a complete finishing quote.
Yes. Our blast operations run in a dedicated cabinet with controlled media flow, filtered exhaust, and humidity monitoring. Contamination from prior substrates is prevented through media segregation and cabinet purging between material types. This matters for aerospace because cross-contamination, particularly iron transfer to titanium or aluminum, causes corrosion initiation sites that undermine the entire coating system. All controls are documented under AS9100.
Hard anodizing provides good abrasion resistance but adds 1-3 mils of buildup and is limited to a narrow color range. The chemical conversion plus Cerakote stack delivers comparable or superior wear resistance at just 0.5-2 mils, with 3,000 hours of salt spray protection (ASTM B117) and hundreds of color options with Delta E 1.5 consistency. For parts needing both wear performance and aesthetic flexibility, the chem conversion plus Cerakote approach is the stronger system.
We passivate defense stainless steel components to ASTM A967 and AMS 2700 with full lot traceability and documentation. The process removes free iron and contaminants without any dimensional change, which is critical for weapon system fittings, fasteners, and structural hardware. Our facility has processed over 20,000 parts with zero quality issues, and our documentation packages meet the traceability requirements that defense programs require.
Removing mill scale, oxide layers, and embedded contaminants through SP 10 blasting eliminates the corrosion initiation sites that undermine coating systems. The 2-4 mil anchor profile then maximizes Cerakote adhesion on the clean substrate. For industrial parts in chemical or marine environments, we recommend the full stack: blast preparation, chemical conversion or passivation where applicable, followed by Cerakote. This combination delivers salt spray protection exceeding 3,000 hours.
Start Your Cerakote Project
Submit your project details and receive a quote within 24 business
hours, including technical approach, pricing, and lead time.