How to Remove Cerakote from Your Firearm?

The coating of your firearm might be not always your type. So, you need to have it removed, but it would be too expensive for you to get rid of it by a professional.

On the other hand, removing Cerakote by yourself will even get worse if you can’t find the right method for it.

After gathering information from many forums, we’re going to provide you with some tips to have a do-it-yourself Cerakote removal without any risk.

Coating Blasting

Sandblasting

There are gentler blasting options that will not put any stress into the metal but will still remove most coatings of your firearm.

Among these methods, the most efficient way to remove Cerakote without melting your gun would be to use a sandblasting machine along with Garnet or Aluminum oxide of 100 to 120 grit between 35 and 40 PSI.

After cleaning it with Acetone, oil all of your parts. Then, insert them into the frame, including magazine and the removed spring.

Then, hanging it on with wire not to close to the elements. After a while, heat it with an oven at 180 degrees F for 45 minutes.

Finally, let it cool off before separating the parts. That should put everything back into shape and make them not be tight.

To help you understand more about how sandblasting works. Here is a video of this process:

Wet Blasting

Wet blasting is typically familiar to sandblasting but slightly different with water added to the process.

People usually use it for removing Cerakote, bluing, anodizing, etc. because it works way faster than sandblasting with Garnet or other chemical liquid.

Wet blasting with garnet is the fastest way to remove the Cerakote. The water used in the process makes the media heavier so it will impact on the surface with stronger force.

Manual Removal

3m general purpose adhesive cleaner - source img

If you use this stuff in the picture above, make sure that it's well ventilated. It will give you a headache while staying in the open air so using gloves is a good idea as this liquid will dry your skin out fast. Also, do not smoke around this either.

This cleaner doesn't work like lacquer thinner, so it's not going to run off, you need to keep it wet and rub with a thick cloth or toothbrush.

Surface prep for the Cerakote is also important, which may have had an impact on how well it worked on the process.

Another way without any media blaster available would be to prepare some Jasco Premium Paint & Epoxy Remover and two stiff nylon bristle brushes.

After that, spray the Epoxy Remover on the Cerakote, wait for 15 minutes and start scrubbing!

Don’t forget to wear gloves during the process! - img

The gun after removing Cerakote

In Conclusion

It will be hard to get rid of Cerakote from your firearm by yourself if you don’t know which steps to take. These methods might not remove 100% the Cerakote of your guns, but they can save a lot of money.

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