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ABOUT WEST MICHIGAN CERAKOTE & LASER

West Michigan Cerakote & Laser (WMC&L) was established in 2014, bringing the first certified Cerakote applicator to the Grand Rapids area. WMC&L's Cerakote applicators have received formal training and certification through NIC Industry's Cerakote factory in Oregon.

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In 2020, West Michigan Cerakote purchased a fiber laser, adding a variety of new services to its offerings, including deep laser engraving, laser etching, stippling, and more.

 

WMC&L is well adept in meeting each customer's unique needs. Whether your project is large or small, our expert staff is standing by to help fulfill your coating and laser needs with superior quality, quick turnaround times, and competitive pricing.

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At WMC&L, we believe that hard work, honesty, attention to detail, and exceptional customer service should be the bedrock of any business. Every item that goes through our shop is closely inspected before being returned to the customer to ensure top quality work and consistency.

 

ABOUT CERAKOTE

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Cerakote was developed in 1984 by NIC Industries. It is a polymer-ceramic composite coating that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers, and wood. The unique formulation used in Cerakote enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion/wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical/heat/UV resistance, impact strength, hardness, and more. Each of these properties is rigorously tested to guarantee that Cerakote products remain at the forefront of the ceramic coatings market; It is the most durable spray-on finish available today, with over 90 ceramic colors and finishes, and the ability to create custom colors, patterns, and designs.

 

For more information about Cerakote's material specifications and testing, click here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Cerakote?

Cerakote is a polymer-ceramic composite coating that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers, and wood. The unique formulation used in Cerakote enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion/wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical/heat/UV resistance, impact strength, hardness, and more. Each of these properties is rigorously tested to guarantee that Cerakote products remain at the forefront of the ceramic coatings market; It is the most durable spray-on finish available today, with over 100 colors and finishes to choose from.



What's the difference between Cerakote and Powder Coat?

Unlike powder coat, Cerakote is an extremely thin coating. It is applied at only 1-2 mils thick, which has several advantages. It will not negatively affect the tolerances of tight-fitting items, it will not chip or flake off of the item that is being coated. Between the media blasting that is done prior and the ultra-thin coating, virtually no thickness is added. In addition, Cerakote has a higher tolerance to heat and will not discolor when high temps are reached.



How does Cerakote hold up against high temps?

Cerakote can withstand temperatures up to 1,800°F without discoloring or distorting. Cerakote outperforms industry-leading High-Temp Powder Coats by a landslide.



Can you Cerakote plastic?

Yes! Nearly any hard surface can be Cerakoted, including metals, plastics, polymers, and wood.



Do you offer any type of warranty on your Cerakote applications?

We stand behind our product and procedure 100%. In the event that you experience any uncharacteristic wear on the coating, we will refinish your firearm at absolutely no charge. If our coating chips, flakes, or peels off, we would consider that uncharacteristic. However, with prolonged use, our coating will wear. This warranty will not cover normal wear and tear of the item(s). It does not cover any damage, alteration or abuse to the finish from neglect or accident.



I am interested in having something Cerakoted - How do I get started?

You can contact us to arrange a drop off at our facility in Grand Rapids, MI or fill out a quote form online, print it out and ship your project to us with a copy of your ID. Please note that all applicable state and federal laws must be followed when shipping a firearm.



What industries do you serve?

West Michigan Cerakote is much more than a firearm coating company. In fact, over 60% of our business is unrelated to firearms. In addition to firearms, we service the automotive, cycle, aerospace, consumer electronics, commercial/industrial, and government/military markets.



What’s all this talk about the Laser?

Our state of the art fiber laser is capable of handling all of your laser engraving needs. Whether you are looking for deep engraving, laser etching, custom stippling, or basic part marking, we have you covered!



Why should I choose a certified Cerakote applicator for my project?

There are many reasons you should choose a certified applicator. When NOT applied properly, Cerakote is prone to scratching, chipping, and flaking. Proper application is crucial for long-term protection (that's why we offer a lifetime guarantee). In addition to having been trained correctly from the beginning by the NIC Industries at the Cerakote factory, we also remain in constant contact with them to stay at the cutting edge of the latest tools and technology. We are held to a higher standard than non-certified applicators who may be working out of their garage or using their old smoker to cure Cerakote. Remember, a good finish is only as good as the applicator.



How much does it cost to have my project Cerakoted and/or Laser engraved/etched?

The cost of Cerakote and laser engraving/etching varies by the project. For an accurate quote, please quick the "request a quote" button on our Services page (under the category that best fits your needs) and fill out the short quote request form.



Can I ship my project to you (including firearms)?

Absolutely! We are able to fulfill projects for individuals and businesses all across the country and we make it easy to do so by accepting items through the mail. Whether your project is big or small you can ship it to us and we'll ship it back upon completion. We also have an FFL/SOT so we’re able to accept firearms and suppressors as well. First, fill out a quote request form by clicking the "request a quote" button on the Services page. Then, click here to see shipping instructions.