BEST Surface Treatment

[TheClamGovernor]

Going to pick up a SBE very soon. I am having trouble deciding a finish - I really like the idea of the BEST surface treatment. I hunt a lot of saltwater marshes so the idea of a coating built for that use appeals to me. However I greatly admire the look of some of the camo guns especially the cerakoted one. I don’t see any options for a camo BEST besides the performance one of which is out of my price range. Does anyone have experience with the BEST, is it really that good or can I get away with the cerakote. Would dipping the BEST be possible ot would it void the warranty or damage the coating. Any input would be greatly appreciated 

[Cheeseburger]

Upfront this is pretty much out of my ass; I don't have anything with the BEST finish so this is a combo of my own knowledge of similar stuff and Google-fu. Dipping/painting the BEST shouldn't void the warranty. However since cerakote needs to be baked on, which could be seen as "physical damage", I wouldnt do it over the BEST. BEST is a PVD finish which in my experience are quite good at protection and lubricity and such. Contact Benelli to see if they consider paint/hydrodip to void it, they respond pretty quick. Personally I would get the BEST and (if I wanted the look) would paint it, but cerakote isn't a bad option either. PVD is vaporized which probably giver better internal coverage than cerakote. 

 

Both will protect your gun more than no finish at all of course, but all of the cerakote corrosion tests seem pretty biased. I think of it more as a durable paint than a real surface finish, like TiN or PVD. If you are really anal and clean your stuff after it gets wet/salty, cerakote will probably be fine. But BEST gives you more wiggle room should you clean poorly or wait a while. At least that's what I think.

Edited August 30, 2024 by Cheeseburger

[remarkable]

The only downside to the BEST finish is perhaps the Carbon Fiber rib.  If you are hard on your gun or bang it around in a boat, this may not be the best option.  I own Cerakote guns, BEST guns and Camo guns, for me the Camo gun offers the most protection.  Admittingly I do not hunt around salt water, thus it is not a factor.  The fully wrap guns offer great protection, if you do get a scratch it is often difficult to see.