Inspection & Cleaning
We identify the substrate and existing finish, look for damage or contamination, and remove oils, grease, dirt and other material that can interfere with later steps.
BEHIND THE FINISH · ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
Project Preparation for Cerakote & Hydrographics
A professional Cerakote or hydrographics job starts long before color or pattern touches the part. Inspection, cleaning, stripping, surface preparation, masking and careful handling can represent a major share of the labor in a custom finishing project.
Why does preparation cost money?Because the visible finish is only one stage of a much larger hands-on process.
Material matters.Metal, aluminum, plastic/polymer, wood and other substrates do not all prepare the same way.
Condition matters.Oil, corrosion, old coatings, damage and previous refinishing can change the work required.
Geometry matters.Threads, recesses, mating surfaces and tight tolerances can require detailed masking and handling.
THE WORK BEFORE THE FINISH
A part can pass through many hands-on stages.
Not every project needs every step, and the exact preparation depends on the substrate, existing finish and selected finishing system. This is why two parts of similar size can require very different amounts of labor.
01InspectIdentify material, existing finish, condition, damage, contamination and areas that may affect the job.
02DisassembleWhere applicable, parts are separated so surfaces can be prepared and finished correctly without trapping contaminants or interfering components.
03Degrease & CleanOil, grease, wax, dirt and other contamination must be addressed before surface preparation and coating.
04Strip / PrepareExisting finishes may need removal or profiling. The correct method depends on the substrate and the new finishing system.
05Mask & PlugCritical surfaces, threads, bores and fit areas may need protection from coating or unwanted buildup.
06Final CleanPrepared surfaces are handled carefully and cleaned as required so contamination is not reintroduced before finishing.
07Apply FinishThe project moves into its Cerakote coating or hydrographics printing workflow only after preparation is complete.
08Cure & InspectThe finish is completed according to the system, then the part is checked before the project is considered finished.
SEE THE PROCESS
What “prep work” actually means.
These original process illustrations are simplified visual guides—not photographs of a specific customer job. Actual preparation varies by part and material.
Surface Preparation
Depending on the material and finish system, preparation may involve stripping, abrasive blasting, sanding, scuffing or another substrate-appropriate method.
Masking & Plugging
Threads, bores, mating surfaces and other critical areas may need protection so the finishing process does not interfere with fit, function or dimensions.
Cerakote Application
Once the substrate is correctly prepared and protected, the selected Cerakote system is applied according to the project and product requirements.
Water-Transfer Printing
Hydrographics adds primer or adhesion preparation and a compatible base color before the activated film is transferred in the water tank, followed by rinsing and drying.
Curing & Final Inspection
The finishing system is completed as required, then the part is inspected before it is considered ready for pickup or the next applicable project step.
Important: The illustrations show the type of work involved, not a mandatory sequence for every item. IKKIN Dip It determines the appropriate preparation after reviewing the actual part.
TWO DIFFERENT FINISHING SYSTEMS
Cerakote prep is not the same as hydrographics prep.
Both systems depend on a clean, properly prepared substrate, but the route from bare part to finished project is different.
DURABLE CERAMIC COATING
Cerakote Preparation
Cerakote preparation is built around creating the correct substrate condition for the selected coating system. Cerakote's own application guidance emphasizes complete disassembly, removal of oils and contaminants, and proper surface preparation; its training guidance for H/Elite systems includes abrasive blasting to establish the required profile on applicable parts.
- Inspect and disassemble where applicable
- Remove oils, grease and contaminants
- Remove or prepare incompatible existing finishes
- Abrasive blast/profile applicable substrates as required
- Mask and plug critical areas
- Final cleaning and controlled handling
- Apply the selected Cerakote system
- Cure/finish and inspect
WATER-TRANSFER PRINTING
Hydrographics Preparation
Hydrographics requires its own surface-preparation and paint foundation. Typical professional workflows clean and prepare the substrate, use the appropriate primer or adhesion system, then apply a base color before the film is transferred. After printing, the part is rinsed, dried and protected with the finishing clear system.
- Inspect and identify the substrate
- Clean, sand/scuff or otherwise prepare as appropriate
- Apply substrate-appropriate primer or adhesion preparation
- Apply the selected base color
- Prepare and activate the film
- Transfer the pattern in the water tank
- Rinse away film residue and dry
- Clear/finish and inspect
WHY PRICING IS NOT JUST ABOUT SIZE
A small part can still require a lot of work.
Customers naturally see the finished color or pattern. The quote also has to account for the labor needed to get the part ready for that finish.
What can affect preparation time?
Every project is reviewed individually. A complicated small component can require more detailed preparation than a larger, simpler part.
Existing coating
Oil / contamination
Corrosion
Material type
Disassembly
Masking
Threads / bores
Complex geometry
Surface damage
Previous refinishing
You're paying for the complete process.
The visible application can be only one portion of the job. Professional custom finishing includes the inspection, preparation, controlled handling, masking, application, finishing and quality-control work needed around that application.
That is why an accurate quote needs more than the item's dimensions. Photos, material, condition, current finish and your requested look help us understand the actual project.
BEFORE YOU TRY TO “SAVE US A STEP”
Please don't sand, strip or chemically treat the part unless we ask you to.
The wrong abrasive, blasting media, chemical stripper or sanding method can damage a substrate, alter dimensions, round edges, contaminate a surface or create additional corrective work. Let us know the current condition and what has already been done to the part. We can tell you what—if anything—we want completed before drop-off.
PART PREPARATION FAQ
Questions customers ask before a custom finish.
These answers explain the general workflow. The actual preparation plan is determined after we see the part, its material, condition and requested finish.
Why does preparation matter so much?
The finish can only perform and look as good as the surface underneath it. Oils, contamination, incompatible coatings or inadequate surface preparation can interfere with adhesion and appearance.
Why can a small part still cost a lot?
Size is only one factor. A small part can require substantial labor for disassembly, cleaning, stripping, blasting or sanding, masking, careful handling and inspection before finishing begins.
Do you abrasive blast every part?
No. Preparation depends on the substrate, existing finish and selected system. Some applicable Cerakote work uses abrasive blasting, while other materials or hydrographics projects may require sanding, scuffing, adhesion preparation or another method.
Why do you mask threads and other areas?
Some surfaces must remain free of coating or excess buildup so dimensions, fit and function are preserved. What gets masked or plugged is specific to the project.
Is Hydrographics just dipping the part?
No. Water-transfer printing normally sits in the middle of a larger paint and finishing system: surface preparation, primer or adhesion preparation, base color, film transfer, rinsing/drying and protective clear finishing.
Is Cerakote just spraying color on the part?
No. The application itself comes after inspection, cleaning, substrate preparation, masking and other project-specific work. Proper preparation is fundamental to coating adhesion and performance.
Should I strip the old finish myself?
Check with IKKIN Dip It first. We need to know the substrate and existing finish before recommending any customer preparation. Incorrect stripping or sanding can add corrective work.
Can you quote from a photo?
Photos help, but final pricing can depend on material, condition, dimensions, disassembly, masking, existing coatings and the requested finish. The quote builder lets you provide those details together.
PLAN THE PROJECT
Show us what we're starting with.
Use the quote builder to send the item, material, condition, finish choice, requested look and photos. That gives IKKIN a much better picture of the preparation and finishing work involved.