For Cerakote, what finish should the raw aluminum have? ...I'm in the process of finishing an AR 15 80% Lower, and would like to have it Cerakoted when the machining is done.
What sort of prep needs to be done? I have the New Frontier Armory 80% Lower. Their machining was definitely intended for fast production, then it appears to have just been tumbled in some big media.
At any rate, I have a lot of hand finishing to do. Is it best to final prep with a blast media, or would a 400 or 600 Grit sand paper finish be plenty good?
I don't know much about Cerakote or it's properties, such as flow or fill, etc.
It is necessary to sand blast it. not bead blast. You can get away with using play sand. I use 90 grit aluminum oxide to blast with.
Cerakote needs to have a surface to bite into. If you go to Cerakotes website they have instructions for the whole process