Passing on a black chrome M4 because what I really want is a…

[Rob-F]

ceramic coatings are much superior now.

Is that an alternative to both black chrome and BP? Does anyone offer a Black Ceramic (BC?) re- (re-what? re-surface?) service?

Somewhat off-topic, I have some pots and pans in a black finish that the maker calls their "Calphalon surface." It seems to be anodized. Could that be what Leica's black chrome is? It isn't really chromium, is it? Or is it? The Calphalon wears gray with use, and the wears off; just like black chrome.

 

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Black chrome is chrome, the color achieved by combining alloys of other metals with the chromium during the plating.

Ceramic coatings are common to firearms and are ideal for camera finishes as the coating is durable yet thin enough so the engravings are not over filled.

The paint projects I undertook back in the 2008 time frame were far less durable when using paints that were thin enough, and for durability the paint had to be put on far too thick for the engravings, often is was best to leave some engravings completely devoid of white infill.

I use ceramic coatings exclusively, they are far superior except for those who only want their camera painted black as a precursor to brassing. Those clients have to provide their own sandpaper for that purpose 😆 as otherwise the camera is very unlikely to brass through normal use.

 

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Does anyone offer a Black Ceramic (BC?) re- (re-what? re-surface?) service?

All the photos and videos I’ve posted in this thread are ceramic coatings.