They sandblast first to give the ceracote something to grip onto. The anodizing is removed if an aggressive blasting media is used.

I've learned a lot since I started this project. It's very apparent that there's a lot of bad information floating around. I did find a forum specifically for people who do plating and anodizing, so I've got good procedures now.

I'm still wavering about the Ceracote though since a lot of coating experts and gunsmiths seem to really like it. I'm just old-fashioned I guess and I like what I like but I don't want to turn into one of those stubborn old guys who won't accept anything new. :-)

Does anyone here think Ceracote is as good as hard anodizing.