Training Manual

Training manual

Disassemble:
Completely disassemble the firearm.

Phase 1:DISA SSEMB LE

Detail strip your firearm. If you are unfamiliar with this level of disassembly have a certified gunsmith perform the disassembly and reassembly.

Take a photograph of all the parts received. Make note of the substrate type on each piece. (i.e: Steel, Aluminum, plastic,composite, polymer,etc.)

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Degrease:
Soak each part for 10 - 15 minutes in a non-water based degreaser such as BrakeKleen or acetone. Spraying is not sufficient; soaking is required. Allow parts to air dry after soaking.

Phase 2: DEGRE ASE

From this point on it is critical to avoid touching the parts with your bare hands. Use powder-free latex style gloves to handle the parts.
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Surface Prep:
Begin by plugging the bore at both the chamber and the muzzle end of the barrel prior to blasting. Grit blast the parts with #100 to #120 grit aluminum oxide or garnet sand at 80 to 100 psi. Strive for an even blast pattern over the surfaces of the parts. Lightly blast (30-40 psi) non-metal parts such as: wood, plastic,composite and polymer. TIP: If the parts surface is still shiny after blasting, you havent blasted enough. If you use too coarse of grit, the microscopic valleys on the parts surface will be too deep for the 1.0 mil(.001) coating to completely ll while covering the corresponding peaks sufficiently to assure a satisfactory coating. Dont use sand that has been previously used to clean dirty, greasy or oily parts. Doing so will contaminate your parts.

Phase 3: SURFA CE-PR EP

PITFALLS: If you use #120 grit, be sure the grit does not wear out as you are using it. #120 is pretty ne at the start, and will wear to an ineffective dust. Do not use glass beads. Glass beads dimple the surface rather than etching it, and will not yield a sufcient blast profile for optimum coating adhesion.

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RACKING:
Hang or otherwise xture your parts so that you can access all the surfaces of each part with your HVLP spray gun.

Remember to always wear powder-free, latex-style gloves.

Phase 4:RACK ING/M ASKIN G

AR 15 Lower Receiver

Correct racking techniques

Remington 700 Receiver

Stripped Springfield 1911 Frame

Welding wire used to suspend parts

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Recommended Masking & Racking Supplies
The following products can be purchased at: www.Shercon.com & www.NICindustires.com

Phase 4:RECO MMEN DED MAKIN G & RACKI NG SUPPL IES

Rubber plugs:
Used for plugging barrel bores at the muzzle and chamber. These plugs come in various sizes to plug any caliber or gauge.

Hanging Hooks:
Used to securely hang parts

High Heat Tape

Used for masking areas where coating is not desired. Available in sizes 1/4 to 4 NIC part # SE 121 through SE 127

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Gas-Out:
After parts are racked, heat the parts in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (F) for 30 minutes to drive off any remaining solvents or contaminants.

Phase 5:GAS- OUT

Remove the parts from the oven and allow them to cool. If you see any wetness, or other indication that oil was driven out of the part, re-clean by soaking in the degrease tank and reheat for an additional thirty minutes. Any contamination from this point onward will result in a less than satisfactory finish. Be careful, and take your time. If further degreasing is required repeat as necessary until no wetness (oil) is visible.
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Selecting The Right Cerakote Series for the Application.

Phase 6: SELEC TING THE RIGHT SERIES FOR THE APPLIC ATION

Cerakote H-Series: H-Series is the most durable of the standard Cerakoteproduct and provides the best performance in hardness, wear,scratch resistance, adhesion and rust resistance. It can withstand temperatures up to 400f degrees and comes in nearly 50 colors.HSeries is a thermal cure finish and therefore should not be applied to optics and other items or substrates which cannot be cured at the required temperatures.(See cure schedule table, Pg 13.)

Cerakote C-Series: C-Series should ONLY be used for high-temp applications up to 1700, such as suppressors and machine gun barrels. C-Series is available in a wide range of colors to match the overall finish requirement of the firearm or weapons system. C-Series is used to coat scopes and other optics, as well as fiberglass,polymer and other substrates which cannot be thermally cured.

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Coating Preparation:
Prepare the Cerakote for application. Begin by shaking the bottle until the coating is completely mixed, then shake some more for good measure. Determine how much Cerakote you intend to use before mixing (see table 1 pg.7) Pot life for mixed Cerakote is approximately two hours in an open container, and as much as four hours in a closed container. Consequently, mix only what you intend to use, to avoid wasted coating. (see usage chart pg.7) 1) 2)

Phase 6:COAT ING PREPA RATIO N

Pour the desired quantity of Cerakote into the graduated cylinder.

Add hardener. Use table 1 pg.7 to determine Cerakote to hardener ratio for finnish type.

3)

4)

Mix thoroughly with a stir stick.

Pour mixed coating through a disposable automotive type paint filter, or a reusable filter shown (NIC#SE 139)

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Coating Prep cont.
NOTE: If the proportions of Cerakote to Hardener are incorrect, or the combination of Product and Hardener are not thoroughly mixed, the nal product will be splotchy at best because the coating mixture was uneven, and your work will be wasted.

Table 1
Cerakote / Hardener Ratio Matte Finish Satin Finish Semi Gloss 24:1 18:1 16:1

Phase 6: COATI NG PREP

18:1 Recommended

Table 2 (18:1 Ratio)

Cerakote / Hardener Ratio Usage Chart Firearm Pistol Rifle Cerakote mL/cc 36 72 Hardener mL/cc 2 4

**Read the instructions that come with the color(s) you are using. Some colors, e.g., H-253 Midnight Purple uses 12:1 Cerakote to hardener ratio. Read and follow the instructions.

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Spraying
CAUTION Spray in a well-ventilated area, wear a respirator,protective gloves and safety glasses. Refer to the MSDS for additional safety & handling information

Final checklist before spaying:

Plug or mask off all parts that are not to be coated. Remember Cerakote is applied at .001 which is very thin, most areas do not require masking, however if you are unsure contact NIC for assistance. Ensure all parts to be coated are hung securely, ensuring parts do not touch anything during the application process. Do not coat springs as it is not recommended to heat springs during the curing process. Plug the bore to prevent overspray inside the bore.

Phase 7: SPRAY ING

PRACTICE: Practice spraying on a piece of metal before going on to your final project. A particularly good exercise is to spray and cure a few machine screws and matching nuts. You should be able to screw the nut onto the machine screw without difficulty. If you cant, you may be spraying too heavily.

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Recommended Mixing & Spraying Supplies
NIC Recommends the following products for the best results during the coating prep and application process

Phase 7: RECOM MEND ED MIXIN G & SPAYI NG SUPPL IES

Graduated Cylinder: NIC part# SE 147 NIC suggests using a 100M/L graduated cylinder for accurate ratio measurements of Cerakote to hardener, as to avoid using too much product for an application.

IWATA LPH-80 NIC: Part # NIC SE 138

Miniature, center post gravity feed spray gun is a full-featured HVLP gun with spray characteristics similar to Iwatas popular RG-3 gun Using only 1.8 cfm at 13 psi, this low-airconsumption gun provides high atomization with precise control of the spray pattern and a minimum of overspray Features adjustable spray pattern from round to fullfan shape A stainless-steel nozzle, paint passage and heattempered needle ensure long-lasting, peakperformance spraying Uses the reliable and easy-to-service cartridge-style air-valve set, which can be serviced outside the gun and easily placed back into the gun body Its 4 oz. (110 ml) stainless-steel gravity cup is center-mounted and rotates, allowing for spraying horizontally, vertically or underneath surfaces Unlike siphon-feed guns, this gravity-feed cup will work with small amounts of paint without spitting Spray pattern is from 1/8 to 6 (0.3 cm to 15.24 cm)

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Spraying Cont d...

1)

Blow off Parts with dry compressed air to make sure there is no trapped media in holes or pockets. Sand or other media left behind will cause surface defects.

Phase 7: Spray ing

2)

Start spraying in the most difcult area of each part, then progress and nish to the easier areas. This should help avoid runs and thin spots.

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Spraying Contd...

3.)

When spraying, strive for even coverage. You are seeking a 0.5 to 1.0 mil coating (0.0005 to 0.001). Spray with sufcient volume that the Cerakote doesnt ash out before the coating hits the part. When spraying, the part should appear wet but not so wet that it wants to run. Tip: Do not spray with a wide pattern. Doing so may cause dry spray or a rough finish

Phase 7: SPRAY ING

Example of wetting out the part

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Spraying Contd...

4)

After each part is coated, set it aside for about ve to ten minutes. Cerakote will still be wet to the touch until it is oven cured. If you touch any coated parts before curing, the coating will smudge and will have to be refinished.

Phase 7: SPRAY ING

Mistakes

If a mistake is made during spraying, e.g., a run, dont attempt to wipe down the part and re-spray. Instead, bake the part in your oven, but only for twenty minutes to partially cure the coating. Then, return the part to the blast cabinet and blast the Cerakote off the entire part. Blow off, and re-spray.

Cleaning Up: Clean your tools with acetone. Contact NIC with questions regarding cleaning solvent compatibility. Discard any unused mixed Cerakote according to local and state regulations. Do not return any unused mix to the bottle.

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Oven Cure:
Carefully move each part into the oven and cure at 250 degrees(F) for two hours. If you must hurry the process, curing for 45 minutes at 300 degrees (F) is an alternate cure schedule. If the part(s) being coated are heat sensitive, 150 to 180 degrees (F) for two hours will adequately cure plastic, polymer, wood & composite parts. After curing is completed, remove the parts from the oven and allow the parts to cool. Once parts are cool enough to handle, the firearm can be reassembled. **Caution** If you are unsure as to the temperature stability of your parts, contact the manufacture prior to oven cure.

Phase 8: CURIN G

TIP: Flashing parts allows for partial curing at 180-200 degrees(F) for 15 minutes. This technique is used when applying and removing stencils.

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Curing Contd...

Cure Schedule Table Material Metal (Standard) Metal (Quick Cure) Metal (Flash, when using stencils) Wood / Plastics Composites, Polymer Temperature Time

250 Degrees F

2 Hours

300 Degrees F

45 mins

Phase 8: Curing

180 Degrees F

15 mins

150 - 180 Degrees F

2 Hours

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Contact NIC
At any point during the Cerakote application process you have a question, please contact NIC Industries at:

NIC Industries, Inc.

7050 6th St White City, Oregon, 97503 Phone:(541) 826 -1922 Toll Free: (866) 774 - 7628 Email: [email protected] Website:www.nicindustries.com Fax:(541) 826 - 6372 You can also follow Cerakote on:

Phase 8: CONTA CT NIC

at Cerakote Firearms Coating

at Cerakote_NIC

Subscribe to NICs newsletter via NIC website (click on the Newsletter Signup) to find NIC news and events both past and present.

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CerakoteTM Firearm Coating Training Program

NIC Industries offers the only one on one training program for CerakoteTM Firearm Coating. With individual training, our instructors speak with the customers prior to the training course to custom design each class to meet the specific needs of each customer. Customers can apply any of NICs industry leading firearm coatings on their own parts, or parts supplied by NIC. Courses are taught at NICs training Facility in White City Oregon or onsite(*). While every class is custom tailored to meet each customers needs, below are topics typically covered in most courses.

MetalPrep Outgassing RackingTechniques

Training Topics
Phase 8: TRAIN ING

Coa9ngselec9onforvariousapplica9ons Basictoadvancedceramicapplica9on. Propercuringtechniquesandschedules Problemsolvingandtroubleshoo9ngdefects Properequipmentandopera9on Reworks Costanalysis Marke9ng

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Training manual CerakoteTM Firearm Coating Training Program

ClassLoca9on NICIndustries,Inc.islocatedat70506thStreet,WhiteCityOR97503.WhiteCityislocatedinSouthernOregon approximately5milesfromMedfordOregonandapproximately280milesfromPortlandOregon. Transporta9on RogueValleyInternaIonalAirport(MFR)islocated6milesfromNICandprovidesdailyightsfromseveralmajor westcoastairports.AllmajorrentalcarcompaniesarelocatedattheRogueValleyInternaIonalAirport. Lodging NIChasnegoIateddiscountedrateswithseveralhotelsincloseproximitytoourfacility.InformaIononlodgingcan befoundathSp://www.nicindustries.com/downloads.php

Phase 8:TRAI NING

(*)ContactNICforfurtherinforma9onaboutonsighttrainingcourses.

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