Process

What Happens When You Drop Off Your Project

At AZ Cerakote Armory, every project is handled with the same care and precision we’d use on our own gear. From drop-off to delivery, here’s what happens behind the scenes:

We’ll review your item, discuss your goals, help you choose colors and finishes, and log it into our system so we can track it through every step of the process.
You’ll also choose how you’d like to receive updates — text, email, or phone call. We’ll keep communication easy and on your terms.

Your item is fully disassembled and cleaned in a heated ultrasonic bath using acetone or Simple Green to remove every trace of oil, residue, or contaminants.
This ensures the Cerakote has a perfectly clean surface to bond to.

Each part is pre-baked to release hidden oils or moisture. Then it’s media blasted with 100-grit garnet sand at the correct PSI for the material (metal, polymer, or wood).
This creates the ideal texture for long-lasting adhesion and durability.

Using high-temp tape, silicone plugs, and custom stencils, we mask every critical surface for precision and clean edges.
Your selected Cerakote color or pattern is applied with an Iwata LPH-80 spray gun for coverage and a fine-detail airbrush for intricate work.

Depending on the Cerakote type:

• Bake coatings are cured at controlled temperatures (250°F for metals, 150–180°F for polymers and wood).
• Air-cure coatings are tack-free within about an hour and fully cured in approximately five days.

Each item is visually inspected for coverage and finish quality. If it doesn’t meet our standards — it doesn’t leave the shop.
After curing, every part goes through a final inspection for even coating, smooth finish, and overall quality.

We reassemble (if applicable), laser engrave, or laser finish your item (if applicable) and prepare it for pickup.

Before you leave, you’ll receive:

• Care instructions for your new finish
• Progress photos showing your project from start to finish

We’ll soon also offer professional gun cleaning once our FFL is finalized.

Most standard jobs are completed within a week, depending on workload and complexity. Larger or multi-color projects may take up to two weeks.

Need it faster? We offer a rush service for an additional fee to move your project to the front of the line, subject to availability.

Ready to start your custom Cerakote project?
Request a Quote or Contact Us to discuss your ideas and get an estimate.