Cerakote color and care guide
By The Button Land Customs shop, machinists and gunsmiths
Cerakote is a sprayed, oven-cured ceramic coating we apply in our shop. On a custom slide it adds $35–45; service Cerakote on your own pistol starts at $95. Clean it with ordinary gun cleaner and a soft brush, and skip wire brushes and abrasives.
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What is Cerakote?
A ceramic-polymer coating, sprayed on and cured in an oven. In our shop each part is sandblasted, degreased in a heated ultrasonic bath, masked with our own stencils, sprayed and oven cured.
Which colors can you get on a slide?
| Slide finish | Price |
|---|---|
| Bare Stainless | Included |
| Graphite Black | +$35–45 |
| Sniper Grey | +$35–45 |
| Flat Dark Earth | +$35–45 |
| OD Green | +$35–45 |
| Cobalt | +$35–45 |
| Burnt Bronze | +$35–45 |
See them on real slides on the finishes page.
What does Cerakote on your own pistol cost?
| Service | From | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Pistol Cerakote | $95 | 2 weeks |
| Rifle Cerakote | $175 | 2 weeks |
| Shotgun Cerakote | $145 | 2 weeks |
Which parts you send changes the price: upper/slide only (+$95), upper/slide and frame (+$145) and lower/frame only (+$95). Patterns: single color, 2 color camo (+$50), 3 color camo (+$90), 4 color camo (+$120) and battleworn (+$30).
Cerakote or DLC?
Cerakote comes in dozens of colors and patterns and is the finish we apply in-house. DLC (diamond-like carbon) is a very thin, very hard vacuum-deposited coating that wears extremely well, but mostly comes in black and grey. Pick Cerakote for color and patterns; pick DLC if wear resistance matters most. We quote PVD finishes on request, and they add 2–8 weeks.
How do you look after a Cerakote finish?
- Clean it like any slide: gun cleaner or CLP, a soft nylon brush or cloth, then wipe it dry.
- Cured Cerakote stands up to common gun solvents and oils.
- Don't use wire brushes, abrasive pads or polishing compounds on the coating.
- Expect some wear on sharp edges from holsters over time. That's normal.
What if it's damaged in shipping?
Custom slides are made to order and can't be returned or refunded. If the coating is damaged in shipping, we'll repair it. Please don't install a damaged slide. Shipping & returns.
Cerakote color and care guide questions
Cerakote vs DLC on a slide?
Cerakote is a sprayed, oven-cured ceramic coating that comes in dozens of colors and patterns. It's the finish we apply in-house. DLC (diamond-like carbon) is a very thin, very hard vacuum-deposited coating with excellent wear resistance, but mostly in black and grey. Choose Cerakote for color, DLC for wear. We quote PVD finishes on request; they add 2–8 weeks.
How do I clean a Cerakote slide?
Clean it like any slide: wipe off carbon with a gun cleaner or CLP and a soft brush, nylon pick or cloth, then wipe it dry. Cured Cerakote resists common gun solvents and oils. Skip wire brushes, abrasive pads and polishing compounds on the coated surfaces. Holster wear on sharp edges is normal over time.
How much does Cerakote add to a custom slide?
Cerakote adds $35–45 to a custom slide. Bare stainless is included in the price. Slide colors are bare stainless, graphite black, sniper grey, flat dark earth, OD green, cobalt and burnt bronze. Each product page shows the price for every finish as you pick it.
Can you Cerakote a two-tone or camo pattern?
Yes. Two-tone, camo, battleworn and multi-color patterns are done to order. Tell us the colors and where each one goes, and attach a photo of anything you want it to look like; we quote it before we start. Custom designs add about 3 weeks. Pistol Cerakote turnaround is otherwise 2 weeks from arrival.