Why not cerakote cars?

rez333 · 04-12-2013, 12:44 PM

Cerakote is an extremely durable ceramic paint finish over firearms. Slides that have been painted with cerakote can go hundreds of rounds and still not show wear over contact points.

Why not apply cerakote or a similar ceramic paint for cars? The paint would last forever! I googled this question, and there are no threads on the first few pages of hits that discusses this.

Silverlsinva · 04-12-2013, 01:33 PM

I would say cost and weight would be why its not used.

Bhobbs · 04-12-2013, 03:40 PM

I believe you have to bake Ceracoat. I doubt it would be practical to operate a kiln large enough to bake the paint the car and still get enough people to do it.

*DGthe3* · 04-12-2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

I believe you have to bake Ceracoat. I doubt it would be practical to operate a kiln large enough to bake the paint the car and still get enough people to do it.

Large flow-through ovens are quite common in industrian manufacturing and I'm sure there are flow-through kilns as well. But if it is a true ceramic coating that needs a kiln to melt and ceramify (?) the clay, then I can see there being an issue with the thin sheet metal underneath. The steel won't melt (aluminum might) but it would only have a fraction of the strength its supposed to have. On something small & non load bearing (like gun parts) this isn't too big of a problem. But on something the size of a car, the bodywork could start to sag or stretch under its own weight. Might not be much, but even if things shift by a fraction of an inch it can cause massive headaches for the manufacturer. Also, if it requires a kiln then reparibility is going to be an absolute nightmare. Every touchup would require the complete disassemble the car as I doubt the plastics & rubbers used play nicely with 1500 degree temperatures.

Plus, there are chemical changes that happen when you heat up & cool down steel. Mostly in the hardness/ductility. I'm not sure if the heating/cooling cycle required for that process would change the chemistry of the steel, but it is one possibility.

It could also be simple aesthetics. Do these finishes have the kind of lustre, shine, depth, range of colour, and other qualities that we expect out of automotive paint? Can you get them in a metallic or pearlescent type?

04-12-2013, 12:44 PM	#1
rez333 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St. Joseph Posts: 1,283	Why not cerakote cars? Cerakote is an extremely durable ceramic paint finish over firearms. Slides that have been painted with cerakote can go hundreds of rounds and still not show wear over contact points. Why not apply cerakote or a similar ceramic paint for cars? The paint would last forever! I googled this question, and there are no threads on the first few pages of hits that discusses this. __________________ If someone from the 1950s magically appeared, what would be the most difficult thing to explain? "I have a device in my pocket that can access the entirety of knowledge known to man. I use it to look at pictures of cars and have arguments with strangers."

04-12-2013, 01:33 PM	#2
Silverlsinva Drives: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth Grigio Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Manassas, Va Posts: 3,124	I would say cost and weight would be why its not used.

04-12-2013, 03:40 PM	#3
Bhobbs Drives: 2015 SS 1LE Red Hot, 1970 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 6,990	I believe you have to bake Ceracoat. I doubt it would be practical to operate a kiln large enough to bake the paint the car and still get enough people to do it.