HOW DO I GET CONSISTENT GLOSS LEVELS, OR CHANGE THE GLOSS LEVEL?
Cerakote gives you the flexibility to customize your gloss levels across multiple substrates. This guide will assist you in achieving the gloss level that meets your requirements.Standard Gloss Procedure
CATALYST MIXING RATIO:
18:1 (coatings:catalyst) by weight. Mixing by volume is optional.AMBIENT FLASH:
Best practice is to set aside coated parts for a minimum of 15 minutes, but no more than 2 hours, before oven cure.Recommended Cure Schedule
Coating a project with a single substrate
(metal only, polymer or plastics only, etc.)
- Fully cure all parts according to cure schedule (see Figure A)
Coating a project with multiple substrates
(metal and polymer or plastic pieces, etc.)
- Flash cure all parts at 150°F to 180°F until tack-free (10 to 25 minutes) to lock in gloss on all substrates (see Figure B and C)
- Separate all parts according to substrate cure schedule and complete final cure (see Figure A)
Why different cure temperatures? Many items, for example firearms, are built from multiple substrates such as polymers and metals. Substrates, like plastic/polymers, have lower temperature stability, and therefore require lower cure temperatures.
IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE UNSURE AS TO THE TEMPERATURE STABILITY OF YOUR PARTS, CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO OVEN CURE.
Gloss Guide
FIGURE A
| Material | Series | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal | H-Series (Standard) | 250° Fahrenheit or 121° Celsius | 2 Hours |
| Metal | Elite Series (Standard) | 300° Fahrenheit or 148° Celsius | 1 Hour |
| Metal | F-Series | 250° F (121° C) | 15 Minutes |
| Flash Cure (Stencils) | H-Series & Elite Series | 150° - 180° Fahrenheit or 65° - 82° Celsius | 10 - 25 Minutes |
| Plastic or Polymer | H-Series & Elite Series | 150° - 180° Fahrenheit or 65° - 82° Celsius | 2 Hours |
| Plastic or Polymer | F-Series | 180° (82° C) | 1 Hour |
| Wood | H-Series & Elite Series | 150° Fahrenheit or 65° Celsius | 2 Hours |
| Composites i.e. Carbon Fiber or Fiberglass | H-Series & Elite Series | 150° Fahrenheit or 65° Celsius | 2 Hours |
*F-Series Cure times start when the part is at the desired cure temperature.
**No Flash Curing available on F-Series Coatings.
Catalyst Mixing Ratio
Adjust your catalyst mixing ratio to achieve your desired gloss level.H & E-Series
F-Series
Cure Temperature
Increasing or decreasing cure temperature will raise or lower gloss.
Article Published: August 19, 2025