Slide Finishing
Professional Slide Finishing
Protection Meets Precision
Choose from three industry-leading finishing options: Cerakote ceramic coating (100+ colors), PVD vapor deposition (ultra-hard mirror finish), or Black Nitride treatment (deep corrosion resistance). Every finish protects freshly machined surfaces and creates custom aesthetics.
Why Professional Finishing?
The critical role of surface protection after machining
Three Finishing Options, One Standard: Excellence
Whether you choose Cerakote for color variety, PVD for hardness, or Black Nitride for deep penetration, every finish meets military and law enforcement durability standards.
Problem: Bare Metal Corrodes
Optic cuts and slide milling expose fresh steel surfaces. Without protective finish, these areas oxidize rapidly—especially in humid climates, with sweaty hands, or during holster carry.
Problem: Factory Finishes Do Not Match
Trying to match factory slide finish after custom machining creates visible color differences. Bare machined areas stand out and look unfinished.
Solution: Comprehensive Protective Coating
ModMount applies professional-grade finish to entire slide after machining. Creates uniform appearance, seals exposed metal, and adds scratch/wear resistance beyond factory finish.
Result: Military-Grade Durability
Your slide resists corrosion in any environment. Finish withstands holster wear, manipulation friction, and environmental exposure. Plus custom colors create unique aesthetic.
Process Transparency
How Slide Finishing Works
Select Your Finish & Color
Choose Cerakote (100+ colors), PVD (mirror chrome or gold), or Black Nitride (deep matte black). We provide color charts and finish samples.
Surface Preparation
Slide is stripped of factory finish, media blasted to create uniform surface profile, and ultrasonic cleaned to remove all contaminants and oils.
Finish Application
Cerakote: spray application + 300°F cure. PVD: vacuum chamber vapor deposition. Black Nitride: salt bath chemical conversion at 1,050°F.
Curing & Hardening
Cerakote cures for 2 hours. PVD bonds at molecular level (no cure needed). Black Nitride case-hardens during treatment. All finishes fully hardened before shipping.
Final Inspection & Ship
Quality check verifies uniform coverage, proper adhesion, and no defects. Slide test-assembled to verify dimensional accuracy. Ships via USPS Priority.
Choose Your Finish
Each finish offers unique benefits. Select based on your priorities: color options, hardness, corrosion resistance, or aesthetic preference.
Cerakote
Ceramic Polymer Coating
Best For
Custom colors, multi-tone builds, matching existing gear, or creating unique aesthetics
Key Features
- ✓ 100+ color options available
- ✓ Matte, satin, or gloss finish options
- ✓ Multi-color patterns possible
- ✓ Excellent corrosion resistance
- ✓ Chemical & solvent resistant
- ✓ Thin coating (0.001" typical)
Technical Specs
- • Hardness: 70-80 Rockwell C
- • Cure: 300°F for 2 hours
- • Salt spray: 1,000+ hours
- • Thickness: 0.0005"-0.002"
Popular Colors:
Graphite Black, Titanium, OD Green, FDE, Burnt Bronze, Robin's Egg Blue, USMC Red, Armor Black, Sniper Grey, plus custom matching
PVD
Physical Vapor Deposition
Best For
Maximum hardness, mirror finish aesthetics, ultra-premium builds, competition guns
Key Features
- ✓ Hardest finish available (85+ Rc)
- ✓ Mirror chrome or gold finish
- ✓ Molecular-level bonding
- ✓ Extreme wear resistance
- ✓ Superior scratch resistance
- ✓ Ultra-thin application
Technical Specs
- • Hardness: 85+ Rockwell C
- • Process: Vacuum chamber vapor
- • Salt spray: 2,000+ hours
- • Thickness: 0.0001"-0.0005"
Available Colors:
Mirror Chrome (silver), Gold (TiN coating), Black Chrome. Limited color palette but unmatched durability and premium appearance.
Black Nitride
Ferritic Nitrocarburizing
Best For
Duty guns, deep corrosion resistance, tactical applications, low-maintenance builds
Key Features
- ✓ Deep case-hardened penetration
- ✓ Becomes part of metal structure
- ✓ Cannot chip or peel off
- ✓ Superior corrosion resistance
- ✓ Reduced friction coefficient
- ✓ Zero dimensional change
Technical Specs
- • Hardness: 60-70 Rockwell C (surface)
- • Process: 1,050°F salt bath
- • Penetration: 0.0003"-0.0008"
- • Salt spray: 1,200+ hours
Finish Appearance:
Deep matte black only. No color options. Creates uniform, non-reflective tactical appearance. Preferred by law enforcement and military.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cerakote | PVD | Black Nitride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color Options | 100+ colors | Chrome/Gold/Black | Black only |
| Hardness | 70-80 Rc | 85+ Rc | 60-70 Rc |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Superior |
| Can Chip/Peel? | Rare (if applied properly) | Extremely rare | No (part of metal) |
| Friction Reduction | Moderate | High | High |
| Best Use Case | Custom colors | Premium/Competition | Duty/Tactical |
Multi-Tone Cerakote Patterns
Combine multiple Cerakote colors for custom two-tone or multi-tone aesthetics
Two-Tone Slide
Base color on slide body, accent color on serrations, cuts, or specific features. Popular: Black base with bronze accents, grey base with blue accents.
Accent Windows
If you have window cuts or side lightening, fill those areas with contrasting color. Creates striking visual depth and highlights custom machining.
Serration Highlights
Apply accent color to front/rear serrations only. Creates tactical appearance and makes serrations more visible for manipulation reference.
Custom Patterns
Digital camo, splatter patterns, geometric designs, fades, or completely custom artwork. Masking and multi-stage application creates unlimited possibilities.
Technical Specifications
Professional application standards and quality control
Surface Preparation
All factory finish removed via media blasting (80-120 grit aluminum oxide). Surface profiled to 40-60 Ra microinches for optimal adhesion. Ultrasonic cleaned in heated solvent to remove all oils.
Application Environment
Climate-controlled spray booth maintains 70-75°F and 40-50% humidity. Prevents contamination, ensures proper atomization, and optimizes cure conditions. HEPA filtered air supply.
Coverage Verification
Mil thickness gauge verifies uniform coating on all surfaces. Cerakote: 0.001" ±0.0005". All internal slide surfaces receive finish (not just exterior aesthetic areas).
Cure Validation
Cerakote cures at 300°F ±10°F for 2 hours minimum. Temperature verified via thermocouple. Black Nitride: 1,050°F salt bath for 90 minutes. Full hardness verified before shipping.
Adhesion Testing
Post-cure adhesion verified via cross-hatch tape test per ASTM D3359. Must achieve 5B rating (no coating removal). Random sample testing ensures batch quality.
Dimensional Verification
Post-finish slide dimensions verified to ensure proper fitment. Barrel lockup tested. Sight dovetails measured. Critical tolerances maintained within ±0.001".
Universal Compatibility
All three finishing options work on any pistol slide material and manufacturer. Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium all supported.
Compatible Slide Materials
● Carbon Steel
Most common slide material. All three finishes work perfectly. Black Nitride particularly effective on carbon steel.
● Stainless Steel
Used in most modern pistols. Cerakote and PVD ideal. Black Nitride possible but requires modified process.
● Aluminum
Some aftermarket slides and 1911 frames. Cerakote and PVD work excellent. Black Nitride not recommended for aluminum.
● Titanium
High-end aftermarket slides. All three finishes compatible. Cerakote most popular for color variety on titanium builds.
Expected Finish Longevity
Carry Gun (Daily Holster Wear)
- • Cerakote: 3-5 years before refinish needed
- • PVD: 7-10+ years (extreme durability)
- • Black Nitride: Lifetime (won't wear off)
Range Gun (Regular Training Use)
- • Cerakote: 5-7 years typical lifespan
- • PVD: 10+ years with minimal wear
- • Black Nitride: Lifetime (improves with use)
Safe Queen (Minimal Handling)
- • Cerakote: Indefinite (no wear)
- • PVD: Indefinite (no wear)
- • Black Nitride: Indefinite (no wear)
Note: Holster wear is most common cause of finish degradation. Kydex holsters are more abrasive than leather. High-friction areas (muzzle, ejection port edges) show first signs of wear.
Care & Maintenance
Simple practices to maximize finish longevity
Break-In Period
Cerakote: Allow 48 hours after receiving slide before shooting (full cure takes 5-7 days). PVD/Black Nitride: No break-in needed, shoot immediately.
Cleaning & Solvents
All three finishes are solvent-resistant. Use standard gun cleaning products. Avoid abrasive brushes on exterior surfaces. Ultrasonic cleaners safe for all finishes.
Lubrication
Black Nitride reduces friction—use less oil than standard. Cerakote and PVD: standard lubrication. All finishes benefit from thin oil film on slide rails.
Holster Selection
Leather holsters gentler on finish than Kydex. If using Kydex, ensure interior is smooth (no embedded debris). Consider holster with fabric lining for carry guns.
Storage
All finishes resist corrosion in normal storage. If storing long-term, apply thin oil film. Avoid storing in foam (can trap moisture). Dehumidifier recommended for safes.
Damage & Refinishing
Cerakote: Can be stripped and reapplied if damaged. PVD: Extremely difficult to remove (very durable). Black Nitride: Part of metal structure, cannot be removed.
Ready For Professional Finishing?
Choose from Cerakote (100+ colors), PVD (mirror finish), or Black Nitride (deep protection). Every finish backed by satisfaction guarantee.