Cerakoted Oakleys - The Wait Begins

[AABCDS]

I've had my Oakley Flak Jacket since 2008 and in the past five years, the outer layer has been peeling and flaking. I thought about purchasing a new, different pair of Oakleys but it's more than I want to spend right now.

After seeing a few thread about EAC Concepts' Cerakoting services, I decided this was the way to go. I had also read that Oakley has one model, the SI (Standard Issue) Fuel Cells, that are available with the Cerakote option.

After several private messages between Jared, B&B user name jnyost, I mailed my Flak Jacket frames off to him on Saturday. Jared was very prompt and courteous with his responses to my questions. I choose the glossier of the two black Cerakote options with a high-gloss clear overcoat. Jared said that the bubbling and flaking wouldn't matter since they would be removed the top layer anyway. The process should be completed in a couple of weeks, give or take.

I'm definitely excited to get these back and have them last for a while longer as long as I don't lose them on Space Mountain at Disney World again.

I'll definitely be posting "after" pictures but to keep you in anticipation while I wait, here are some "before" pictures.

 

[dakotaev]

My Flak Jacket's are doing the exact same thing, especially at the brow area. I've bought another pair but just keep wearing these because they are so comfortable.

Looking forward to the afters!

 

[Soldierdan]

I've been considering going to usstandardissue.com and getting a new pair, this might be a better option... Mind if I ask what the price is roughly?

 

[dannymayo]

I had a pair of half-jackets in matte black. I had them for 4-5 years and didn't have any issues. I think the matte black versions don't have any type of coating so there isn't anything to flake off.

 

[AABCDS]

I had a pair of half-jackets in matte black. I had them for 4-5 years and didn't have any issues. I think the matte black versions don't have any type of coating so there isn't anything to flake off.

That would make sense. It looks like the outer layer that is peeling is the glossy finish.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I had a white pair without issue. Loved them. Hated the price but when you get 8-10 years out of a pair the price per year is not bad at all!

 

[Phog Allen]

Okay guys, at the risk of starting an argument, why do people pay the price for quality issues like this? Now before you get mad at me let me say, I could CARE LESS if you spend $1000 on a pair of sunglasses. Buy what you like and want. I am not a 'glasses guy' so to speak. I usually wind up with a $20 pair of polarised Foster Grants that work just fine til I sit on them or whatever. Are the Oakley and other higher end sunglasses really that good or is it more of a fashion statement? I just wondered since the peeling James' pictures reveal is pretty bad to my eyes for a device that carries such a price tag. Again, honest questions and no attempts to rile anyone.

Cheers, Todd

 

[Whiskey Badger]

Phog:

Once you break down the price per year, they are probably cheaper than your $20 glasses. Like he said, he's been using them since 2008. Add the durability factor, sit on them, drop them, whatever... Probably cheaper. I can only speak for Wiley X and Oakley, but that is my experience.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

The Flaks were relatively new and the only ones with problems were the glossy ones that had extra coatings on the plastic. Oakley tried something and it didn't work out as well as they had hoped.

I paid a lot for a pair of Ray Bans in 2004. I still have them. They need retired but they have had a good life and have spent part time on my face for the past four years but I take better care of expensive sunglasses. Especially when they come with a case and cleaning cloth!

 

[plan80]

In my opinion, higher end sg's are worth every penny. I love my Maui Jims, Oakleys, Ray Bans, and Revos. Gotta take care of them, but worth every penny.

 

[Bearded Buckeye]

Okay guys, at the risk of starting an argument, why do people pay the price for quality issues like this?

I am a recent convert to quality sunglasses, and I would say that there is a massive difference between Walmart sunglasses and those made by quality brands. In my experience, designer brand sunglasses more durable and many offer increased protection for your eyes.

I gravitate more towards Ray Ban offerings because of their glass lenses. I love them, and have had the same pair for two years. It is incredible how quickly you learn to protect your sunglasses when they are of value.

Now, back to the OP:

I'll definitely be posting "after" pictures but to keep you in anticipation while I wait, here are some "before" pictures.

I am really looking forward to seeing the final product. Thank you for posting this thread.

 

[AABCDS]

...
I am really looking forward to seeing the final product. Thank you for posting this thread.

I'm looking forward to getting the final product too. At the two week mark so I should be getting them back soon.

 

[Argonaut]

The cost of sunglasses and whether they are worth the money is dependent on what you do for a living IMO. In my early 20's I drove a truck for Coca Cola and delivered soda to convenience stores and such. I bought a pair of Gargoyles, around $90, which was a ton to me back then. I thought they were indestructible because they lasted me 6 years without so much as a scratch. 3 months into the plumbing and HVAC trade had them looking like they went through a wood chipper. I bought a pair of Oakleys about a year ago from the BST because they were a great deal and looked good. They lasted two months before getting destroyed. Usually I won't spend more than $15 on a pair because they will get left in an attic, accidentally crushed, or just outright lost. When I can no longer do the physical work and life starts slowing down, I hope to get me another pair of those Gargoyles. Hopefully they still make the "Terminator" version from the "80's then.

 

[Bearded Buckeye]

I hope to get me another pair of those Gargoyles. Hopefully they still make the "Terminator" version from the "80's then.

Wow...I haven't thought about Gargoyles in a long, long time. I never owned, or even touched, a pair of them because I was in elementary school, but I was all sorts of 'kid envious' of the celebrities that did.

 

[ylekot]

I love my Ray-Bans

 

[BigFoot]

The cost of sunglasses and whether they are worth the money is dependent on what you do for a living IMO. In my early 20's I drove a truck for Coca Cola and delivered soda to convenience stores and such. I bought a pair of Gargoyles, around $90, which was a ton to me back then. I thought they were indestructible because they lasted me 6 years without so much as a scratch. 3 months into the plumbing and HVAC trade had them looking like they went through a wood chipper. I bought a pair of Oakleys about a year ago from the BST because they were a great deal and looked good. They lasted two months before getting destroyed. Usually I won't spend more than $15 on a pair because they will get left in an attic, accidentally crushed, or just outright lost. When I can no longer do the physical work and life starts slowing down, I hope to get me another pair of those Gargoyles. Hopefully they still make the "Terminator" version from the "80's then.

My 1st pair of high end shades were Gargoyles, broke them playing softball. I loved those glasses, I stick with Maui Jim now, but you sure brought back a memory Jason.

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

Loved my Gargoyles. I may still have a pair at my mom's house!

 

[AABCDS]

Well, the Oakleys are on their way back to me. Jared from EAC Concepts thought the glossy black looked cheesy so we went with the matte black instead. I'll take additional pictures when I receive them but here's a picture taken by Jared.

 

[Boro62]

Well, the Oakleys are on their way back to me. Jared from EAC Concepts thought the glossy black looked cheesy so we went with the matte black instead. I'll take additional pictures when I receive them but here's a picture taken by Jared.

Those turned out nice, can't wait to see the, with lens in the,

 

[Bearded Buckeye]

How did the shades turn out? Are you happy with them?