Details you should know.
01.
Payment Policy
Overview
At Ghostcat Coatings LLC, I keep the payment process straightforward so you can focus on what matters – getting your gear looking exactly how you want it. All work is either placed as an order directly through this website or handled through a custom quote and invoice for complex or multi-element projects.
Order Types
Standard Orders (Shop page opening soon) – Single-color Cerakote packages and select pre-defined camo/pattern packages are available as “buy now” products through the storefront. Pricing is shown at checkout.
Custom Quote Orders – Multi-color designs, complex camo layouts, themed projects, and any job that requires a unique scope of work are handled via a custom invoice. You’ll receive a detailed quote before any work begins, and no funds are collected until you approve and sign off on the scope.
Deposits & Payment Schedule
All custom quote jobs require a deposit at the time of booking to reserve your slot in my production schedule. The remaining balance is due in full before your completed project is shipped or released for pickup.
Deposit amounts will be specified in your quote. The deposit becomes non-refundable at the following stages:
- If Ghostcat Coatings LLC is performing disassembly: the deposit is non-refundable once disassembly of your item has begun.
- If you are sending pre-stripped or pre-disassembled parts: the deposit is non-refundable once media blasting has begun.
Accepted Payment Methods
Ghostcat Coatings, LLC accepts the following payment methods for all standard and custom orders:
- Major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) processed securely through Elite 2A Pay / Authorize.net
I do not accept payment processors that restrict or prohibit transactions related to Second Amendment businesses. All payment processing is handled only through a 2A-friendly platform. Personal checks are not accepted.
Non-Payment & Chargebacks
I understand that issues come up – if you have a concern about a charge or your order, please reach out to me first. I would much rather resolve things directly than go through a formal dispute process.
That said, if a chargeback is filed without prior contact with Ghostcat Coatings LLC, I reserve the right to:
- Suspend or cancel your open order
- Decline future service requests until the matter is resolved
- Pursue recovery of outstanding balances, including any fees incurred as a result of the chargeback
I document all work with photos and records before, during, and after every project. These records may be submitted as evidence in any payment dispute.
Abandoned Orders & Storage
When your project is complete, I will notify you via your preferred contact method. From that point, you have 60 days to pay any remaining balance and arrange return shipping or pickup.
If I do not receive payment or a response within 60 days of notification, your item(s) will be considered abandoned. Abandoned property may be sold, scrapped, repurposed, or otherwise disposed of at the sole discretion of Ghostcat Coatings LLC. I am not responsible for any loss in value associated with abandoned items.
02.
Return / Refund / Rework Policy
My Stance on Custom Work
Every project I take on at Ghostcat Coatings LLC is custom work. Because coatings are applied directly to your item and cannot simply be unboxed and returned, our refund and return policy reflects that reality. I stand behind the quality of every job I do, and I will make things right when a genuine workmanship issue arises – but I do not offer refunds once work has begun.
No Refunds After Work Begins
Once your project has entered any stage of the production process – including disassembly, surface preparation, media blasting, or coating – no refund will be issued. This applies to both standard orders and custom quote jobs. If you need to cancel before work has started, please contact me as soon as possible. Cancellations prior to production may be eligible for a partial refund of any amount paid beyond any non-refundable deposit.
Defects vs. Normal Variation
Not every difference from an expected result is a defect. Here is how we distinguish between the two:
- Normal variation – Minor color shade differences that fall within Cerakote manufacturer tolerances are a natural characteristic of the coating process and are not considered defects. Screen-rendered color references and color chips are approximations only.
- Pre-existing conditions – Tool marks, machining marks, pitting, corrosion, scratches, and other surface conditions that existed before we received your item are not our responsibility. I photograph and document every item upon arrival. These records are available to you upon request.
- Workmanship defects – These include issues such as peeling coating, significant adhesion failure, runs, sags, or areas of clearly missed coverage that are not attributable to the item’s condition upon receipt, improper assembly, abuse, or misuse after return.
Customer Responsibility
Ghostcat Coatings LLC is not responsible for:
- Pre-existing damage, wear, corrosion, or hidden defects in your item
- Failures related to customer-supplied parts, improperly fitted components, or prior gunsmith work
- Damage caused by improper reassembly, use, maintenance, or storage after return
- Coating wear on high-friction or contact surfaces (barrel channels, slide rails, muzzle crowns, etc.) which is a known and expected characteristic of normal use.
How to Request a Rework
If you believe there is a workmanship issue with your completed project, please contact us within 30 days of confirmed delivery. Requests made after 30 days will not be eligible for rework under this policy.
To initiate a rework request:
- Contact me via email or phone with a description of the issue
- Provide clear photos of the affected area(s)
- I will review your request and respond within 3 business days
- If approved, I will cover round-trip shipping for the rework
Rework is our only available remedy for workmanship issues. Refunds are not issued in place of rework.
Change of Mind & Spec Changes
Once you have approved your project scope, color selections, and design details, changes to the specification will require a new quote. Any additional prep, re-blasting, or recoating required to accommodate a change of mind will be billed at our standard rates. We are happy to work with you upfront to get the spec right – that’s what the quoting process is for.
If a change-of-mind request comes in after your item has already been coated, a re-prep and recoat fee will apply. This fee will be quoted before any additional work proceeds.
03.
Warranty / Workmanship Guarantee
I Stand Behind My Work
There’s no fine-print warranty card here – just a straightforward commitment: if a workmanship issue is identified with your project and it’s clearly something on our end, I will take care of it. Period.
Ghostcat Coatings LLC evaluates every workmanship concern individually. I do not offer a fixed-term or written warranty, but we take every job seriously, and we back our work with that same standard every time.
What I Will Address
If you experience any of the following under normal use conditions, contact us and we will review the situation:
- Coating peeling or flaking not caused by impact, abuse, or exposure to harsh chemicals
- Clear adhesion failure in areas that are not subject to high contact or friction
- Obvious coverage misses or application errors that were not visible in delivery photos
I will ask for photos and may request that the item be returned for inspection before any determination is made. My remedy is rework – we will strip and recoat the affected area or the entire piece as warranted. I cover return shipping for all approved warranty reworks.
What Is Not Covered
The following conditions are not covered and are considered normal use, expected wear, or customer-caused damage:
- Normal holster wear, scabbard wear, or any contact-surface abrasion from regular carry and use
- Wear on high-friction surfaces including but not limited to slide rails, barrel hoods, muzzle contacts, locking lugs, and grip frame contact points
- Impact damage, dents, scratches, or dings caused by drops, strikes, or physical abuse
- Discoloration or degradation caused by exposure to harsh solvents, bore cleaners, degreasers, or chemicals not compatible with Cerakote
- Damage resulting from improper assembly, reassembly, or modifications made after coating
- Neglect or improper storage (e.g., prolonged exposure to moisture, rust forming beneath the coating from inadequate protection)
- Pre-existing surface conditions documented at intake that influenced the final finish result
Care & Maintenance
Taking care of your Cerakote finish is simple and will significantly extend its service life. We recommend the following:
- Clean with a soft cloth, mild soap, or Cerakote-compatible cleaning products. Avoid abrasive pads or brushes on coated surfaces.
- Use only bore solvents and gun oils that are confirmed to be Cerakote-compatible. Products containing strong solvents like MEK, acetone, or lacquer thinner will damage the finish.
- Store firearms in a temperature-controlled, low-humidity environment. Prolonged moisture exposure can cause rust beneath the coating if the surface had any micro-imperfections at the time of coating.
- For holster-carried firearms, be aware that Cerakote’s durability is exceptional but not impervious. High-retention holsters with constant reholstering will show wear over time on contact surfaces. This is normal.
Questions about care for a specific finish or pattern? Contact us – we’re happy to give you product-specific guidance.
04.
Terms and Conditions
Agreement to These Terms
Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before using the Ghostcat Coatings LLC website or placing any order for services. By accessing or using this website, submitting a quote request, placing an order, or engaging our services in any way, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use this site or its services.
These Terms are effective as of the date listed at the top of this document and supersede all prior agreements or understandings between you and Ghostcat Coatings LLC regarding use of this website and our services.
Eligibility
This website and the services offered by Ghostcat Coatings LLC are intended for adults only. You must be at least 18 years of age to use this site. Where applicable, federal or state law requires a minimum age of 21 to purchase, possess, or transfer a firearm or firearm-related item, you must be at least 21 years of age to order the corresponding service. By using this site, you represent and warrant that you meet the applicable age requirement and that all information you provide is accurate and truthful.
Services & Orders
All services offered by Ghostcat Coatings LLC are subject to availability. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any order at our discretion. Service pricing is subject to change without notice; the price quoted or shown at the time of your order confirmation is the price that applies to your order.
Custom quote jobs are not binding until a written quote is issued by Ghostcat Coatings LLC and accepted by the customer. Submission of a quote request does not constitute a contract or guarantee of service.
By approving a quote or placing an order, you authorize Ghostcat Coatings LLC to perform the specified service on your item(s) as described in the agreed scope of work.
Acceptable Use of This Website
You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of others or restrict their use and enjoyment of the site. The following are expressly prohibited:
- Scraping, crawling, or automated collection of any content from this website without prior written permission
- Copying, reproducing, distributing, or publishing any text, images, logos, or other content from this website without written consent from Ghostcat Coatings LLC
- Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any part of the website, its servers, or any database or system connected to the site
- Uploading or transmitting any malicious code, viruses, or harmful content through the website or its forms
- Impersonating any person or entity, or misrepresenting your affiliation with any person or entity
- Using the website to transmit unsolicited commercial communications or spam
- Any use of the site that violates applicable local, state, or federal law
Intellectual Property
All content on this website – including but not limited to text, photographs, graphics, logos, icons, design elements, and project images – is the exclusive property of Ghostcat Coatings LLC and is protected by applicable United States copyright and trademark law. All rights reserved.
You may not reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, distribute, or use any content from this site for commercial purposes without the express written permission of Ghostcat Coatings LLC.
Portfolio & Photography: By submitting your item for service, you grant Ghostcat Coatings LLC the right to photograph the item and completed work for use in our portfolio, website, social media, and marketing materials. If you prefer that your item not be photographed for these purposes, please notify us in writing at the time of order. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate opt-out requests.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Ghostcat Coatings LLC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of this website or our services, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of revenue, or damage to property not directly caused by our workmanship.
In any event, our total aggregate liability to you for any claim arising from the use of our services shall not exceed the total amount you paid to Ghostcat Coatings LLC for the specific service giving rise to the claim.
Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms and all transactions conducted with Ghostcat Coatings LLC shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Before initiating any formal legal proceeding, both parties agree to make a good-faith effort to resolve any dispute informally. Please contact us directly to describe your concern and allow us a reasonable opportunity to address it. We will respond to any formal complaint within 10 business days.
Modifications to These Terms
Ghostcat Coatings LLC reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time without prior notice. Changes will be reflected by updating the “Last Updated” date at the top of this document. Your continued use of the website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.
05.
Privacy Policy & Cookie Policy
Introduction
Ghostcat Coatings LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about what we collect and how we use it. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, why we collect it, how we store and protect it, and your rights as a user. Our Cookie Policy is included at the end of this page.
This policy applies to all users of ghostcatcoatings.com and any customer who interacts with us via our website, intake forms, email, or phone. We are a US-based business and this policy is written to comply with US law. International visitors use this site at their own discretion.
What Information We Collect
We collect information in the following ways:
- Information you provide directly – When you submit a quote request, place an order, or contact us, we collect: your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, item descriptions, project photos, and any other details you choose to include in your submission. For firearm-related services, this may also include serial numbers or other identifying information about your item as required for legal compliance.
- Order and transaction data – When you place an order through our WooCommerce storefront, we collect billing and shipping information, order details, and payment records. Payment data is processed securely through Elite 2A Pay / Authorize.net. We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.
- Usage and analytics data – We automatically collect standard analytics data when you visit our website, including IP address, browser type, device type, referring URL, pages viewed, and time spent on the site. This data is collected through Google Analytics (GA4) and may also be collected through tag managers, ad pixels (Google Ads, Meta), and similar tracking tools.
- Email and marketing data – If you subscribe to our newsletter or marketing emails, we collect your email address and communication preferences. We use Fluent CRM to manage our email list.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To process and fulfill your service orders and quote requests
- To communicate with you about your project status, invoices, and service updates
- To send marketing and promotional communications, if you have opted in
- To maintain accurate business and transaction records
- To improve our website, services, and customer experience through analytics
- To comply with applicable legal obligations, including ATF recordkeeping requirements for firearms-related work
Third-Party Services & Data Processors
We use the following third-party services in the operation of our business. Each of these services may process your data according to their own privacy policies:
- Elite 2A Pay / Authorize.net – payment processing
- WooCommerce – e-commerce storefront and order management
- Fluent CRM & Fluent Cart – customer relationship management and email marketing
- Google Analytics (GA4) – website analytics
- Google Tag Manager – tracking and tag management
- Google Ads – advertising and remarketing
- Meta Pixel (Facebook/Instagram) – advertising and remarketing
- Google Workspace – cloud storage and internal business communication (project photos, documents, and records are stored here)
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes.
Data Retention
We retain customer contact information, order records, and project documentation for as long as our business operates and as required by applicable law. For firearms-related services, we are required to maintain certain records under federal law. We will not proactively delete your data while we remain in business, but you may request deletion of non-legally required personal data by contacting us directly.
Your Rights & Choices
You have the following rights with respect to your personal information:
- Access – You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction – You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion – You may request deletion of your personal data, subject to any legal retention obligations we are required to meet.
- Unsubscribe – You may opt out of marketing emails at any time by clicking “Unsubscribe” in any email we send, or by contacting us directly.
- Do Not Sell – We do not sell your personal information. If this policy changes, we will update this notice and provide opt-out options as required.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us via our contact form.
Cookie Policy
By using this website, you consent to the use of cookies and similar tracking technologies as described in this section.
What are cookies? Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help us provide a better experience by remembering your preferences, understanding how the site is used, and enabling advertising and analytics functionality.
We use the following categories of cookies:
- Essential cookies – Required for the website to function properly. These enable core features like the shopping cart, checkout, and form submissions. These cannot be disabled without breaking site functionality.
- Analytics cookies – Used to understand how visitors use our site (Google Analytics GA4, Google Tag Manager). This data is aggregated and anonymized to the extent possible.
- Marketing and advertising cookies – Used to show relevant ads on other platforms after you visit our site (Google Ads, Meta Pixel / Facebook Pixel). These may track your activity across websites.
- Functional cookies – Used to enable additional site features such as live chat widgets, A/B testing tools, and other enhancements to your experience.
You can manage or disable most cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. For more information on managing cookies, visit your browser’s help documentation.
Contact Us About This Policy
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please reach out through the project inquiry form.
06.
Contact
Get in Touch
I’d love to hear about your project. Whether you’re ready to get a quote or just have a question about what Cerakote can do for your gear, reach out, and I’ll get back to you within 3 business days.
Ghostcat Coatings LLC is a workshop-only operation in Falls Church, Virginia. I do not have a public-facing storefront or client waiting area, and I am not open for walk-in visits. All project intake is handled through the project inquiry form.
How to Reach Us
Use the project inquiry form to submit your information, and we will follow up directly.
Please note: We do not accept project intakes via direct messages on social media. All quote requests and order inquiries must be submitted via the project inquiry form.
Ghostcat Coatings Location
Falls Church, Virginia (Northern Virginia)
I serve customers nationwide via mail-in service. For local clients in the Northern Virginia / DMV area, drop-off and pickup can be arranged through our partner FFL dealers and gun stores. Contact me for current partner locations.
Response Time
We aim to respond to all inquiries within 3 business days. During peak production periods, responses may take slightly longer. If your project has a hard deadline, please mention it in your message, and we will do our best to accommodate it or let you know upfront if it’s not achievable.
A Note on What We Do (and Don’t Do)
Ghostcat Coatings LLC specializes in professional Cerakote application for firearms, blades, EDC gear, and custom components. We do not provide FFL transfer services. If you’re looking for a dealer to handle a firearm transfer, please contact a licensed FFL dealer directly.