# What does "Hardcoat" mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [October 22, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123 "2018-10-22T17:38:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/1 "2018-10-22T17:38:46Z")
Could someone explain why this finish is called “Hardcoat”? ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/9/c/c9caa70b0f88dad06f702963e935ff04a2ba67cf.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/2 "2018-10-22T17:56:46Z")
It is a type of anodization. Hardcoat Type III is the usual candidate. It is a harder ano than what is normally done, a little thicker. Here is some more info: [Type III Hardcoat Anodizing: Superior Hardness & Durability](https://www.pioneermetal.com/anodizing-finishes/type-iii-hardcoat/clear-and-dyed-hardcoat) ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/3 "2018-10-22T18:00:06Z")
Ah, so it refers to the hardness of the ano, not its color. Were any Kuntoshes of other colors given the hardcoat treatment, or just the dark gray one? Who else hardcoats their yoyos? ---
**Author:** ![Rosenberg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rosenberg/32/20465_2.png) [@Rosenberg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rosenberg)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/4 "2018-10-22T19:11:41Z")
There aren’t very many of them. If I remember correctly it’s harder to color the finish. I had to use it in the past on non yoyo stuff and I used black but I think they said they could do blue as well. Without any coloration it’s a light greenish gold that I believe becomes more pronounced with thicknesses ---
**Author:** ![MarkD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/markd/32/40845_2.png) [@MarkD](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MarkD)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/5 "2018-10-22T19:48:14Z")
There’s a hardcoat version of the alley cat out there. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/6 "2018-10-22T19:49:07Z")
Just out of curiosity, what color is it? ---
**Author:** ![mOonman\_V](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moonman_v/32/39920_2.png) [@mOonman\_V](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mOonman_V)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/7 "2018-10-22T19:49:11Z")
It’s almost like ano, but it’s PAINT applied to a finely sanded specimen and electrically charged so it bonds better. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/8 "2018-10-22T19:50:40Z")
So why bother with this process? After all, so few yoyos get this treatment. Is it worth the (production) fuss? ---
**Author:** ![MarkD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/markd/32/40845_2.png) [@MarkD](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MarkD)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/9 "2018-10-22T19:50:53Z")
It was black, see the photo here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Throwers/comments/80ysgt/got\_this\_in\_the\_mail\_recently\_hardcoat\_alleycat/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Throwers/comments/80ysgt/got_this_in_the_mail_recently_hardcoat_alleycat/) ---
**Author:** ![Rosenberg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rosenberg/32/20465_2.png) [@Rosenberg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rosenberg)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/10 "2018-10-22T19:55:06Z")
I think you’re referring to powder coating, little different than anodizing ---
**Author:** ![MarkD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/markd/32/40845_2.png) [@MarkD](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MarkD)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/11 "2018-10-22T19:55:59Z")
> [@zslane](#): > > So why bother with this process? Probably a bit of novelty & a bit of improved durability. ---
**Author:** ![mOonman\_V](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moonman_v/32/39920_2.png) [@mOonman\_V](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mOonman_V)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/12 "2018-10-22T19:56:40Z")
Yep, you’re right, hardcoat is just really durable paint. ---
**Author:** ![Rosenberg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rosenberg/32/20465_2.png) [@Rosenberg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rosenberg)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/13 "2018-10-22T19:59:30Z")
Yep, this is it. Side note, it is still anodizing on aluminum. It can still be scratched, dinged, etc. it just offers slightly better durability. Most of it I think is the novelty of it and rarity. But for me it’s cool because I like solid gray yo-yos regardless 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![mOonman\_V](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moonman_v/32/39920_2.png) [@mOonman\_V](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mOonman_V)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/14 "2018-10-22T20:02:47Z")
Ano is hard to remove takes HOURS (it felt like hours) of hand sanding, or at least AN hour. Maybe quicker with a Dremel and the right attachment. The silver half use to be black, you can see it in the friction sticker seat. ---
**Author:** ![mOonman\_V](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moonman_v/32/39920_2.png) [@mOonman\_V](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mOonman_V)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/15 "2018-10-22T20:06:22Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/b/9/cb9d6cea7abaaf7be6ea94c1db4c18958cb3a843.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/16 "2018-10-22T20:08:26Z")
> [@zslane](#): > > Who else hardcoats their yoyos? Core Co has done 2 Alleycats Most AntiYo are hardcoat OneDrop did the Kuntosh, QV5000, Cascade I think there was more, can’t remember YYF did a number of yoyos in hardcoat Spencer Berry’s Walter and Theodore Underdog was hardcoat Teflon I’m sure there are a lot more. > [@MarkD](#): > > It was black, see the photo here There was also a army green color of those too. ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 8:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/17 "2018-10-22T20:10:09Z")
> [@mOonman\_V](#): > > Yep, you’re right, hardcoat is just really durable paint. Harcoat is NOT paint. It is an electrochemical process that creates a controlled oxide film on the surface of aluminum. per a number of companies that offer it. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/18 "2018-10-22T20:11:12Z")
It’s more of a dye than a paint, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/19 "2018-10-22T20:13:28Z")
I’m not 100% sure of the process, but I believe there is a dye added to the solution (is it just water?). Hardcoat needs to have a cold solution though, temperature wise. A lot of shops are not setup to get their tanks as cold as it needs to be to do hardcoat. ---
**Author:** ![LinksLegionaire](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/linkslegionaire/32/886_2.png) [@LinksLegionaire](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/LinksLegionaire)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 8:14pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123/20 "2018-10-22T20:14:21Z")
> [@AaronW](#): > > It is an electrochemical process that creates a controlled oxide film on the surface of aluminum. per a number of companies that offer it. Read: anodization [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-does-hardcoat-mean/294123.md?page=2)