3 Best Protective Clear Coat For Painted Metal

When you have an outdoor object, whether it be a car, some fencing or steel casing on your shed, then you’ll want to make sure that this is protected from the elements.

Rust, corrosion and general wear and tear can not only degrade the look of your metal, but also the integrity.

If you have a clear protective coating on your metal, then you can expect it to last you for a lot longer than you would think normally.

Having a clear protective coat will not damage the composition and keep your metal looking brand new.

But where can you find the best coats for your needs? How long will this protective coat last? How much does it cost?

Well, if you want the answers to these questions and more, then we would suggest that you keep reading.

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OUR TOP PICK

KBS Coatings 8504 DiamondFinish Clear Coat - 1 Gallon, 128 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Choose this if you want a clear coat with a simple application, can last in harsh industrial environments, that stays sealed after applying.

This first spray will really help you to rejuvenate your old metal products.

Not only will this protect your metal from the elements, but it will help to restore the shine.

This spray has been designed to last in harsh industrial environments.

If you are looking for a coat of metal that will protect your metal against the rain, then you can’t go wrong with this one.

This comes with a single formula that does not contain any additives.

The application is ridiculously easy and you won’t have to wipe the surface down before or afterward.

The application of this product has been designed so that even the layperson can use it.

All you have to do is spray it on and wait for anywhere between 30 - 45 seconds.

This will leave a waxy, protective coating on your metal that will be completely impervious to any kind of rainfall or excessive weather.

This coating will not crack or peel over time, retaining the integrity of your metal and not allowing any more water or even UV rays to damage your metal.

Pros

  • Simple application - if you are looking for a protector that does not require any prior knowledge and will give you full coverage, then this is the one for you.
  • Completely sealed - this will remain completely intact after you’ve applied it. It will not crack or peel away after application.
  • No discoloration - some other sealants will undergo yellowing after you have applied them, but not so with this product.
  • Works with a few surfaces - if you want to protect your metal, plastic or PVC surface, then you will be able to use this spray easily.

Cons

  • This might be tricky to apply when you are working in smaller corners##.

EDITORS CHOICE

303 Aerospace Protectant UV Protection Repels Dust, Dirt, and Staining Smooth Matte Finish Restores Like-New Appearance 10 Fl Oz

Choose this if you want an easy spray coating with UV protection (perfect to protect ourdoor furniture), that can be used on both painted and unpainted surfaces.

This next spray coating will offer you great UV protection, which is amazing if you are looking to protect any outdoor furniture.

This one comes in a very sizable spray bottle that you can use for a lot of different surfaces. This will also help you get into hard-to-reach corners.

You can use this on surfaces that are both painted and unpainted, which is great if you are looking to restore the sheen on your vehicle.

This will be a great product if you are using it to restore old cars, as it will not only protect the remaining metal but also prevent further corrosion.

If you are planning on using this for jewelry, then we would recommend that you have a different protective coating, as this will leave a gluey residue on smaller items.

This is quite a versatile protective coating, allowing you to apply thin or thick coatings depending on your needs. It is non-greasy, leaving a solid matte finish once it is dried.

Pros

  • Easy to apply - all you have to do is brush this thickly on your metal surface and it will dry within minutes.
  • Large amount - just one tin will last you for a long while, even if you are using a lot of it over a large area.
  • Great for restoration - if you are looking to rejuvenate your old car or automobile, then this is a great product to have.
  • Stainless steel - if you want to restore the luster of your stainless steel, then we would certainly recommend this clear-coated protector.

Cons

  • Small bottle - you might not have enough spray to complete a larger job, which will result in more bottles and ultimately more money.

BEST VALUE

Rust-Oleum 302599 Chalked Ultra Spray Paint, 11 Ounce (Pack of 1), Matte Clear

Choose this if you want an easy spray on clear coat, that works on plastic and other surfaces and not just metal, and lasts for years.

This next protective coating will also allow you to cover a large square footage of metal, which is great if you are looking to cover a large vehicle or sheet of metal.

This also comes with a very easy application, all it requires is that you wash the surface first, followed by a liberal application of the protective coat.

This can be used on a number of surfaces. This is great if you are looking to apply it on a number of different surfaces that are composed of both metal and plastic.

You have to wait for around a day or two for this coating to fully dry, but once it has, you can expect a completely sealed coating that will last you for months and even years if taken care of properly.

This comes with a finish that will not clump together as some protective coatings are prone to do. You won’t have to prepare this protective coat that much before you start applying it.

This protective coat will also not discolor the surface that you’re applying it to. Sometimes this can happen with cheaper protective coats.

Pros

  • Versatile - if you are looking for a decent coating that can be applied to many different surfaces, then this one is hard to beat. It will work on metal, stainless steel, plastic and even rubber.
  • Easy application - all you need to do is apply this one with a brush, a sponge or a wiper. It will give you a nice even finish.
  • Smooth application - this will not leave globules on your car, rather being able to coat straight edges and curves with little issue.
  • Long-lasting - this will last you a few years, keeping rain and sand elements from damaging the integrity of your metallic surface.

Cons

  • Takes a long time to dry - unlike some other protective coats, this will take up to two days to dry.

RUNNER UP

USC SprayMax 2K Glamour High Gloss Aerosol Clear

Next up, we have a spray that uses innovative technology to apply itself to the surface of your metal or plastic with very little issue and fast drying time.

This comes with a long sealing ability, which is great if you are trying to repair your vehicle and you want to make sure that the weather does not damage it any further.

This will even work on hot surfaces, so if you are in a high temperature and humid environment, you can still count on this spray to get the job done.

This can be easily applied to both metal and plastic surfaces, which is great if you are working with a vehicle that is a composite of both.

This results in an even surface no matter how fast or erratically you spray it.

This is great if you are working to a deadline and you want that smooth finish.

This will not discolor your metal surface like some sprays are known to do.

In fact, during our tests, this was shown to drastically improve the sheen of your original metal and even restore it to its original color.

This leaves very little chemical odor after application, which makes it great if you want to use your metal surface after you have applied this sealant.

Pros

  • Great application - coming in a durable spray, you won’t have to worry about getting an even coating like you would with liquid.
  • This will stop any water or sand elements from getting to the surface of your metal.
  • High rated - this comes very highly rated on Amazon and other websites, which is a true testament to the effectiveness of this product.
  • No need for additional tools - you won’t need a spray gun or a brush to apply this one, it comes straight out of the can.

Cons

  • This spray can clog - if you leave this spray can unused for a certain period of time, then you might experience some difficulty getting it unclogged.

RUNNER UP

Krylon K01000A07 Premium Metallic Spray Paint Resembles Actual Plating, 18K Gold, 8 oz

This next spray coating comes with special water-resistant technology that will help protect your metal and plastic surfaces from the worst elements.

You can use this spray on both indoor and outdoor projects, it will give you the luxury of using it on a lot of different surfaces and environments.

This can be applied in the baking hot weather or the blistering cold.

It will last you for at least a year and provide you with full protection, even on automobiles that are traveling at high speed through harsh conditions.

This will dry a lot faster than some of the other sealants that you might on the market.

It comes with a completely clear finish that you can be sure will give you everything that you need to allow the original sheen of your metal to come through.

This is another protective coat that is great for renovation projects.

You can use this to put the finishing touches on the rusted old car that you’ve brought up to date.

This is completely resistant to any moisture, which makes it one of the best spray-on protective sealants that you can get on the market.

This comes made by a company that specializes in this sort of coating and the hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon are a testament to its durability and reliability.

Pros

  • Fast-drying - if you are in a hurry to get your metallic surface completely covered before the next rain shower, then you can’t go wrong with this one.
  • Durable coating - if you want a coating that will protect your metal over a long period, then this will keep all rain and sand out.
  • Will keep moisture out - this will stop any corrosive weather elements from further damaging your metal surface, this will be especially handy if your surface is already succumbing to rust.
  • Works on many surfaces - if you are looking for something that will cover a lot of ground, then we would certainly recommend this one.

Cons

  • This might require a few coats before you can get that full protection. Some users might think of this as slightly wasteful.

RUNNER UP

Krylon K09169000 COVERMAXX Spray Paint, Satin Jade, 12 Ounce

This final spray paint is another one that you can rely on.

Not only can it be sprayed easily onto most surfaces, but it will dry quickly and improve the overall luster of your metal.

You can use this one on many different types of surfaces including metal, wood, plastic, PVC, ceramic, glass and even wicker material.

This one will really resist the fading effect that can often happen with wooden substances.

This can also rejuvenate even the most worn-down metal surfaces.

You can apply this one very easily, not only can it spray on nice and clean, but you can even reach those difficult corners.

This spray comes in a variety of different colors, which is great if you want it to match the original color of your surface or even give your old surface a new color completely.

This will perform well in high and low temperatures, which is perfect if you are looking for something that you can apply outdoors in less than hospitable conditions.

Pros

  • Quick-drying - if you are looking for something that will dry in no time at all, then we would certainly recommend this product.
  • Easy to apply - you can spray this onto many surfaces and it will cover them in no time at all. You can even use this to reach into the corners.
  • Many colors - this protective coating is slightly different from others in that it is colored. However, this makes a great feature for renovation projects.
  • Inexpensive - this is one of the cheapest coatings that we have on this list, making them perfect for anyone looking to save a few dollars on their renovation.

Cons

  • Matte finish - this one will give you more of a matte finish, which might not be appealing to anyone who wants to preserve that unique sheen.

Buyer’s Guide

When you are shopping for a new spray, then we would recommend that you find one with all the attributes that you’re looking for.

Very rarely do these come with a one-size-fits-all application. Make sure you know what surface you’ll be applying this to before you buy it.

Here are a few features that you’ll be looking out for:

How Much Surface Area Does It Cover?

This will be very important if you are working with large trucks or you want to cover the metal roofing on your garage.

If you are going to want to do a quick spraying job on some furniture, then you’ll need a lot less coating.

The 303 Aerospace Protectant comes in a smaller bottle, which means that it is not the best for larger surface area jobs.

303 Aerospace Protectant UV Protection Repels Dust, Dirt, and Staining Smooth Matte Finish Restores Like-New Appearance 10 Fl Oz
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However, if you do want that extra coverage, then you can’t go wrong with the Rust-Oleum 302599 Chalked Ultra Spray Paint.

Rust-Oleum 302599 Chalked Ultra Spray Paint, 11 Ounce (Pack of 1), Matte Clear
Check Latest Price

How Easy Is It To Apply?

This will be an important aspect if you are trying to get your coating on quickly.

You might be doing this as you are working to a deadline or because you know of bad weather coming in.

Sprays are usually the quickest method you can apply your protective coating, so I would recommend the...

Rust-Oleum 302599 Chalked Ultra Spray Paint, 11 Ounce (Pack of 1), Matte Clear
Check Latest Price

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can I Apply A Protective Coating To?

Most people like to apply a protective coating to their cars, especially ones that have succumbed to rust and corrosion.

The coatings will stop the car from degrading even more.

However, some people like to spray their outdoor patio furniture, especially if they have metal elements that they worry will get rusted in the rain.

How Much Should I Pay For A Protective Coating?

This will all depend on how much you want.

You should not have to pay any more than $50 for a decent-sized pot of protective coating.

If you are buying it from a spray can, then it will be even cheaper, although you might be sacrificing the quality of your coating.

How Long Will The Protective Coating Last?

A protective coating should at least last you around 6 months.

However, if your furniture or car is mainly indoors, then you can expect this to last longer.

Make sure that you read the instruction before application and that you obey the drying time.

How Much Protective Coating Will I Need?

If you are going to be applying it to a large vehicle or roof, then you’ll need something that covers at least 250 square feet.

What's The Best Choice of Protective Clear Coat For Metal?

For our money, the best clear coat for painted metal is probably the KBS Coatings 8504 DiamondFinish Clear Coat.

KBS Coatings 8504 DiamondFinish Clear Coat - 1 Gallon, 128 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
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As it will not only restore the original sheen of your metal furnishings but it will also be easy to use and can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Last update on 2024-07-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API