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CeraKote   FAQ

How to Order/Send in your stuff for CeraKote:

It's very simple, email us with what you want done exactly (type of parts/gun, color(s), pattern/camo, etc.). We will send you an invoice you can pay online with ApplePay or Credit/Debit Card. Print a copy of the invoice and mail your stuff to us at the address on the invoice. If sending in a serialized item, we need a copy of your ID. You can pay before or after- work that has been paid for gets priority, and we offer 10% off for prepayment. Please do NOT request an invoice if you are not ready to proceed and send your stuff in. If you want pricing only, see our price list page or email us at info@313tactical.com. We offer 10+% off for Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters. 

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What is the current turn-around time?

The current turn-around time for CeraKote work is: 10 days to 8+ weeks depending on the project/complexity etc. (Depending on what your project entails. Excludes time in transit. Email for more accurate estimated turn-around time. If you are on a time constraint, please do not send your gun in until you can wait. Wait times are estimates, things happen and times may change for many reasons. We try to keep the customer up to date as best as we can during the process. Please also note that orders are done usually in the order that they are received. 

 

I sent in my parts/firearm, How long until it's done?

We have an esimated turn-around time above, however, you are welcome to email us prior to sending your parts in for a more accurate turn-around pertaining to your specific project. You will receive an estimate generally when we receive the parts/firearm via email, and/or a tracking number upon completion. We will not respond to continuous emails/messages asking 'how long' until your project is done. 

 

 

What is CeraKote? 

Cerakote is a ceramic based finish that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers and wood. The unique formulation used for Cerakote ceramic coating enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion/wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, impact strength, and hardness. Each of these properties is rigorously tested to guarantee that Cerakote products remain at the forefront of the ceramic coatings market. Cerakote ceramic coatings outperform competitive coatings in both laboratory settings and real world applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do gun cleaners, oils, etc., effect CeraKote?

H-146 (Oven Cure) Graphite Black Cerakote was applied to panels which were then dipped into 12 aggressive solvents and allowed to sit for 24 hours.

 

The coating was not affected following immersion in Gun Cleaner, WD-40, Brake Cleaner, Denatured Alcohol, Lacquer Thinner, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Acetone and Paint Stripper, earning five-star chemical resistant ratings.  It rated four-stars against a 5% hydrochloric acid Q.

 

How Durable is CeraKote? 

To sum it up, it's one of the toughest and hardest gun coatings available. CeraKoteCeraKote's videos below to see how CeraKote stacks up against the competetion in a couple torture tests! 

 

What's the difference between H-Series and C-Series CeraKote?

H-Series is the most durable of the standard Cerakote product line and provides the best performance in hardness, wear, scratch resistance, adhesion and rust resistance tests.  The coating stands up to termperatures as high as 400 degrees F and is available in a plethora of colors and can be mixed to create additional custom colors.  The thermal cure finish should not be applied to optics or other substrates that annot be cured at the required temperatures.  C-Series Cerakote finishes should be used ONLY for high temp applicaitons up to 1700 F, as might be required for suppressors and predator rifle barrels or motorcycle exhaust systems.  C-Series coatings can be used to coat scopes and other optics, as well as fiberglass, polymer and other substrates vulnerable to high heat cure cycles. 

 

How is Cerakote applied to firearms?

The firearm must be detail disassembled; dipped in a chemical solution to remove oils, grease and contaminants ; gassed; media blasted to remove the underlying finish so that proper bonding can occur;  re-gassed; individually wire tied to hang for spraying, sprayed with Cerakote mixed with a hardening agent, air dried or heat cured depending on which Cerakote product is used, followed by meticulous reassembly. It is a very time, labor, supply and skill intensive process with little forgiveness for errors. A slight mistake can result in a "redo", doubling or tripling the time and materials in the job.

Corrosion Test

Abbrasion Test

Durability Test

Time-Lapse corrosion Test

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May a Nonlicensee (NO FFL) ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?

 

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State (GunnWerks). The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable through USPS. A common or contract carrier (UPS or FedEx) must be used to ship a handgun, and must be shipped Overnight or 2nd Day Air.[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

                              Shipping   FAQ
Shipment Of Firearms To Us (FFL)

First and foremost, we have to state the obvious... Make sure what your sending us is unloaded and clear of any ammunition! Request an Invoice for the work you want done, once your receive it, print a copy of and send your parts/firearm to the address on the invoice! 

 

For cost purposes, do NOT ship your firearm/parts in a gun case unless absolutely necessary. Do NOT include any ammunition or extra parts. If it's not being coated/worked, do NOT include it !(unless discussed with us prior). Also, please note that firearms or parts that are excessively dirty or unecessarily oily will incur an extra charge due to the extra prep work, the extra amount of time and materials that are added to the process. 

  • Ship Handguns via UPS or FedEx Overnight or 2nd Day Air (Flat Rate Boxes work great).

  • Ship Long guns via any carrier (UPS, USPS, FedEx).

  • Ship Parts via any method (we recommend USPS Flat Rate Boxes)

 

Do NOT attempt to ship a complete handguns through USPS (United States Postal Service)! Use UPS or FedEx Overnight or 2nd Day Air ONLY.

 

It's probably best to ship long guns UPS or FedEx for cost effectiveness, however you may use USPS for long guns or parts.We reccomme taking your package directly to a UPS or FedEx Service Center for shipping, not a store. Do NOT indicate anywhere on the package that what's inside is a firearm! If UPS or FedEx ask you to declare the contents specifically, state that it's "an unloaded firearm going in for repair work. "

 

Important: We can only ship complete firearms back to the address listed on your drivers license or to an FFL. Please email (or include with Invoice/Shipment): a copy/picture of your Official Government Issued I.D. (Drivers Licence, State I.D. Card, etc.). If you are only shipping parts, this is not necessary and they can be returned to any address. 

 

Important: It is pertinent to fill out the Order Form completely and thoroughly. Failure to do so will cause a delay in order processing. When shipping firearms/parts, please follow all local, state, and federal law.

 

Shipment Checklist:

(  ) Print Copy of Invoice

(  ) Item(s) to be CeraKote'd or worked on

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May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier (UPS or FedEx)?

 

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State (GunnWerks). A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun (UPS or FedEx Overnight or 2nd Day Air). In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

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Do you offer FFL Transfers?: NOT CURRENTLY DOING TRANSFERS UNLESS YOU ARE MIL/LE. 
 

We offer FFL Transfer Services at the rate of $25 for either a handgun or long gun. Whether you found something you couldn't pass up on GunBroker, or you found something online you had to have- you can have it shipped from that FFL to us. Basically, email us the other FFL's Contact Information (Name, Address, Email, Phone, Fax, Etc), and we will email them a copy of our FFL. Also, include your contact information, as well as any auction or order # information  you may have;

 

We will not send Non-FFL holders a copy of our FFL. 

 

Please see our "FFL Transfers" Tab for more information.

What to Include with Your Shipment/Order.....

 

***PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE GUN CASES/BOXES IF POSSIBLE. JUST PACKAGE SECURELY. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST GUN CASES. ***

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  • Printed Copy of Invoice 

  • What is to be coated/worked on and ONLY what is to be coated (do NOT include any extra parts unless discussed with prior).

  • If you ship to us using an FFL and they request a copy of our FFL, please have them email us directly and we will send it to them. If you ship directly to us, disregard this part.
      (We will not provide an actual copy of our FFL to non-FFL holders for security purposes.)

  • SHIP ! Make sure to ship using the best appropriate method. If you have any questions about shipping your firearm(s)/parts, please see our FAQ Page or drop us an email at: info@313tactical.com

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