Cerakote in East Peoria, IL

The Metal Forest is the greater Central Illinois area's only factory-trained, certified Cerakote® applicator. From AR-15s and pistol slides to suppressors, headers and wheels, we apply Cerakote in-house at our veteran-owned shop in East Peoria, and we take ship-in work from customers nationwide.

Call or text 309-232-7169

What is Cerakote?

Cerakote is a thin-film polymer-ceramic coating for metal, plastic, polymer and wood. It improves resistance to wear, corrosion, chemicals, heat and UV, and adds impact strength and hardness. Cerakote goes on at roughly 1–2 mils thick, so it won't throw off the tolerances of tight-fitting parts the way thicker finishes can.

What we Cerakote

Firearms: rifles, AR-15 and AR-10 builds, bolt-action rifles, handguns and pistol slides, shotguns and suppressors
Automotive: headers, exhaust parts and engine components, using high-temp Cerakote rated up to 1,800°F without discoloring or distorting
Powersports & more: UTV and ATV parts, cycle parts, golf equipment, knives, tools and industrial parts

Firearms are actually less than half of what we coat. If it's metal, plastic or wood and it needs a tough finish, ask us.

Colors & finishes

Choose from more than 100 Cerakote colors. We can apply:

Solid colors: one clean, even color
Two-tone: for example, a contrasting slide and frame or upper and lower
Patterns: camo, American flag and custom designs
Battle-worn: a distressed, broken-in look

Our Cerakote process

Disassemble & inspect: we take the part down and check it before any coating goes on.
Degrease & clean: oils and residue are removed so the coating bonds properly.
Media blast: the surface is blasted to give Cerakote a clean profile to grip.
Spray: Cerakote is applied by a factory-trained applicator.
Oven cure: the coating is cured to full hardness.
Reassemble & function check: everything goes back together and is checked before pickup or return shipping.

Cerakote vs. powder coating

We do both, so we'll recommend whichever is right for your part. Cerakote is much thinner (1–2 mils), won't chip or flake, handles heat better and won't discolor at high temperatures. That makes it the go-to for firearms and precision parts. Powder coating is a thicker, flexible finish that's ideal for wheels, frames, outdoor furniture and larger auto parts.

Turnaround & pricing

Most Cerakote jobs take less than two weeks. Pricing depends on the part, the number of colors and the finish. A single-color handgun starts at $250, and a single-color rifle starts at $295.

Ship your project to us

Not near Peoria? We work with customers nationwide. Send your parts by mail (USPS, UPS, FedEx) or commercial freight and we'll ship them back when they're finished. As a licensed FFL 07 / SOT 2, we can legally receive firearms and suppressors. Call or text before you ship so we can confirm the details.

Serving Central Illinois

Our shop is at 84 East Hoffman Road, Building C, East Peoria, IL 61611, open Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm. We regularly work with customers from Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, Morton, Washington, Peoria Heights, Dunlap, Chillicothe, Canton, Bloomington-Normal and MANY MORE!

Cerakote FAQs

How long does Cerakote last?
Cerakote is built for hard use and resists wear, corrosion and chemicals far better than paint. With normal care, it holds up for years of regular use.

Will Cerakote affect how my firearm functions?

No. At about 1–2 mils thick, Cerakote is thin enough that tight-fitting parts keep their tolerances.

Can you match a specific color or pattern?

With 100+ colors plus camo and custom patterns, we can get close to almost anything. Send us a photo of what you have in mind.

Do I need to disassemble my firearm first?

No, we handle disassembly and reassembly but it does have an added fee of $95.

Can I ship my gun to you?

Yes. We're a licensed FFL/SOT, so firearms and suppressors can be shipped directly to us. Call or text first.

Ready for a new finish?

Tell us what you've got and the look you want, and we'll send a quote. Call or text 309-232-7169